Toys: the Inside Story September 12, 2010

Perfect for any child (or adult) who wonders how an Etch A Sketch(R) works or what's inside a jack-in-a-box, this engaging exhibit reveals the secrets behind many favorite toys. Learn what role circuits play in the classic game Operation(R). Unmask the amazing collection of switches, cams and motors that make Elmo(R) dance and Mr. Machine(R) run. The exhibit's hands-on stations illustrate simple mechanisms found inside common toys, such as pulleys, circuits, cams, gears and linkages, while allowing budding engineers to use simple mechanisms to creatively construct their own toys. In an era when so much of our nation's ingenuity and economic success demands creative engineers, this is a great opportunity for parents and children to better understand the power of design, math and production on all scales