Energy Island - Discovering renewable energies, is a project born from the collaboration with SCICOM (European Network of Science Centre Communicating Energy Related Topics). It is supported by the EU Seventh Framework Programme and is dedicated to children in order to make them aware of the importance of respecting environment and energy sources.
Rome was the first stop of a journey throughout Europe: Aberdeen, Tallinn, Bremen, Paris, Zurich and Wels. The exhibition is available at Explora, the children’s Museum of Rome that since 2001 has been working to encourage kids’ education through workshops, activities, and interactive exhibitions that connect them with every day life and problems, stimulating curiosity and team work.
Energy Island
Through a direct experience (hands on) children will find out more on sustainable energies: they will be part of the project and will be involved in the production of energy. Through information signs and exhibits children will discover that renewable sources produce clean energy.
Energy Island is made out of five sections that will stimulate children’s senses and interaction:
- Geothermal: children will learn more on underground energy sources. Visitors will touch stones artificially heated. The different heat level of each stone will simulate different distances from the earth’s crust;
- Biomass: through this exhibit students can touch and smell several kinds of biomasses, among which pellet and chipboard. Through the analysis of a diagram children will find out that producing energy with these materials is possible;
- Wind: with the help of rotors and ventilators children will study the efficiency of wind in changing conditions;
- Sun: a spotlight will start a boat with a solar panel on its top. The panel transforms light in energy and the boat moves led by children;
- Water: the experiment shows how to produce energy from waves. Children will light the bulb on the top of the container with water and floats.
Children will light the bulb on the top of the container with water and floats.
Children can now test their skills at the exhibit called Energy Island
Visitors will place on the model representing a 3D island 5 cylinders (water, wind, sun, geothermal and biomass), combining the sources in order to power the island. The result will be showed on the lighting sign.
