By Staff
On April 27, the Museum at Southwestern Michigan College will open an exhibit entitled, "Beyond Horsepower: The Science of Cars."
The exhibit will address some of the elusive scientific concepts that make cars operate.
A reception will take place from 3 to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to stop in and see the exhibit. The exhibit runs through Sept. 17.
This is an especially exciting exhibit for the museum because it is being built in cooperation with Southwestern Michigan College's Technology department.
Thirteen technology students are working with the museum to create seven exhibits, which visitors will find both educational and engaging.
This is the third interdisciplinary project for SMC students.
Other projects included building a Shelby Cobra and a state-of-the-art show truck.
According to Frank Scuiletti, automotive technology instructor and lead instructor in the integrated fabrication course in which students created these exhibits, his students are highly enthusiastic about the opportunity to build museum exhibits and it affords them a high level of learning.
Scientific themes that will be addressed in the exhibit are hydraulics, magnetism, pneumatics, friction, electricity, mechanical relationships and light. A major component of the exhibit is a conceptualized hydro shock rocket, a motorcycle that will illustrate the future of technology through a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle and wheels that are powered through magnetism.
"This is more than just a project by the Automotive Technology department, this is a project that crosses over many different academic disciplines," explained Dr. Diane Chaddock, Southwestern Michigan College's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "To be able to involve students from various areas of study and have them work as a team on one project is unique but very beneficial to their learning experience. In this case, learning goes way beyond the actual mechanics of a car."
There will be many hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. The exhibit opening reception is Wednesday, April 27th from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the museum, located on the Dowagiac campus of Southwestern Michigan College. There is no admission charge and the event is open to the public. Refreshments will be served and students will be on hand to explain their work. For additional information, please call 269-782-1374 or go to www.swmich.edu/museum.
Cutline: With this display called the "Cutaway Car" each color represents a different system of the car. A visitor can push a color-coded button which will then highlight that that major system of the vehicle's operation.