Photo: Supplied.
FROM REDLAND MUSEUM
With spy technology taking centre stage in the media Switch on to Science, held at the Redland Museum in conjunction with National Science Week, is sure to be of interest.
Switch on to Science is an annual event where museum volunteers operate and demonstrate a wide variety of working vintage equipment and talk about the science and technology principles that make them work. An introduction to radio communications, including amateur radio and the workings of crystal sets – the earliest form of radio receivers – will be part of the day’s activities.
Participants will learn Morse code, play with the oldest telephones and switchboards and be taught to send messages on a telegraph machine.
The museum’s science coordinator, Ross Bower, says the simplicity of early machines is an ideal introduction to later, more sophisticated technology.
“Working vintage machines are perfect for demonstrating the basic principle of science because they are much simpler than modern machines, and it is easier to understand how they function,” he says.
“Also, they are lots of fun to watch and to play with. Everyone will be encouraged to try operating the old equipment and to explore the development of technology over the years. The aim is simply to learn while having fun, to challenge the curious of all ages and get people to think about the science in our everyday surroundings.”
Ross says that while intended mainly for young people, Switch on to Science will offer plenty to interest and entertain parents and grandparents – and for some it will revive memories of long-gone technology and the wonder it generated.
As well as the communications aspect of science visitors will see what kitchens were like 100 years ago, learn how clothes were washed before machines, buy lollies at an old style lolly shop, use a treadle sewing machine, make a scarf on a knitting machine, try their hand at spinning wool, learn to write with a slate and a copybook, operate a 100-year old silent movie projector, play music on a music box and a player piano, see germs under a microscope, play with windup toys, make their own rope, churn butter from cream, and much, much more.
Switch on to Science will be held from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Monday 14th August, which is the Ekka holiday for the Redland community. Lunch options, cool drinks, tea, and coffee will be available.
Find out more by visiting Redland Museum’s website at: https://www.redlandmuseum.org.au
