Sun Tubes

Sun Tubes is a compelling interactive sensory airways exhibit, powered by solar panels on the museum’s roof. Children insert brightly colored scarves into the tubes and watch them as they are sucked in by the air current, travel the path of the tube and shoot out, softly floating back down to earth where children try to catch them. Children can manipulate the air current for scarves to travel in different paths and enjoy practicing hand-eye coordination trying to catch the scarves. A video describes the process of harvesting the sun’s energy through photovoltaic panels, the conversion of that energy to electricity and how that power makes air move throughout the exhibit. Sun Tubes is a lively exhibit that promotes movement and appeals to children of all ages – and adults!