A timer on the exhibit displays the result. A visitor stands on a rotating disc and holds a handle in the center. By leaning in, the visitor spins faster, by leaning out, the visitor spins slower. This oversized wooden seesaw allows two or 20 people to participate. The Giant Seesaw encourages group cooperation to experience levers and leverage.
Individuals move back and forth over the fulcrum.
The variety of positions, sizes and number of people on the seesaw provide many variables with which to experiment. The lever arm is balanced at the other end by a 200-pound weight. Participants explore the advantages of long lever arms. Visitors speak softly into one end and are heard clearly at the other end, many yards away. The energy of sound typically spreads out in all directions, however, Speaking Tubes illustrate how the energy of one's voice can be channeled within a tube.