LANSING REGIONAL CHAMBER
MEMBER MIXER HOSTED BY IMPRESSION 5
November 1, 2016
By Chuck Krafft
November 1 is a special day because two Lansing Institutions
are cooperating to host the Chamber’s Member Mixer. The Regional Chamber does a lot to promote business
and employment in our area. Impression 5
is a local science center whose mission is to promote math and science in the
area. Many area schools use Impression 5
for school field trips to stimulate their students to look at science through
an engrossing lens.
I registered near the science center’s entrance and had some of the
wonderful refreshments made by Applebee’s Catering. There were probably about a hundred local
business people mingling and enjoying the exhibits. The Regional Chamber’s Mixers are always a
great place to see people and meet people; this was certainly no exception!
Then I saw a huge exhibit showing the science behind racing
cars. You could learn everything from
how the fuel is used to how to change a tire.
There were interactive features; you could test your tire changing
skills in a pit stop. If you could
change the tire in two or less minutes, you might have a future on an auto pit
crew!
I then had the privilege of meeting with Impression 5’s
director, Erik Larson.
Impression 5’s mission is to provide families with an
interactive experience to learn about math and science. It is aimed at children from birth to age
12. The exhibits have the kind of bright
colors and cool shapes that will get the interest of children and make them
want to touch and play with the exhibits.
In the last year, there have been about 149,000 visitors; roughly 30,000 were with school groups. Most of the remainder consisted of families visiting. Visitors are
given a short orientation and then allowed to look at, play with and work with
the exhibits.
Many of the exhibits are built by the Impression 5 staff;
however, Mr. Larson said that the "Hot Wheels: Race to Win" exhibit was produced by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Many racing and scientific
concepts are illustrated with Match Box and Hot Wheels cars. Even though I’m not an extreme auto fan, I
was fascinated by the exhibit.
I went upstairs and continued to be amazed.
This article does not have the space to document all the
wonders a child can see at Impression 5!
There was a wind tunnel where you could learn aerodynamic
concepts by making and flying two different types of air planes. Another interesting exhibit showed how the
sun’s inner combustion works similar to water boiling in a container.
There was an exhibit that simplified the concepts that make
gears, wheels and levers work so children can understand them. The nanotechnology exhibit showed how people
are able to build things from individual atoms.
I’m a professional musician; I was really impressed with a
piano that had a clear front on it so that children can see that it’s hammers
striking the strings that produces the sound when the player depresses the
keys. I played the piano for a few
minutes and enjoyed the visual of the hammers flying!
There was also a dulcimer that could be tuned to the player’s
specifications that would help children understand the relationship between the
string’s size and thickness and the note that would be produced.
Another fascinating exhibit was about teeth and dental
health with giant teeth that would capture any child’s interest as well as
instructions for maintaining clean, healthy teeth!
Mr. Larson said that exhibits typically last 5 to 7 years;
at that time they decide whether to maintain the item or to introduce a new
exhibit to the museum.
The admission price to get into the museum is $8.50 for
anyone two years old or older. Mr.
Larson wanted to let the public know that during November this year, any
grandparent can attend the exhibit free if they are accompanied by a grandchild
who pays the admission!
I thank the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce for putting
on the mixer and of course, Impression 5 for all the great work they do helping
to explain math and science to the Lansing Area’s children!!
