Currently under production
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MATERIOVILLE
SUMMARY
Do you remember the story of the three little pigs? The first one built his house out of straw, the second out of wood and third out of bricks. Materials have always determined the physical limits of buildings and other objects. What if the three pigs had to start all over again - which materials would they choose this time? Ceramics, metal, plastics, or composites? Visitors to this exhibition are invited to various boutiques where they will discover the origin, properties and history of materials. In the “Family Space”, ideas such as structure and composition are examined, and “Properties Street” exposes the most recent developments in material science. Did you know that ceramics have been introduced into the production of certain textiles as a barrier to ultraviolet rays? That some materials have a memory? That we can alter the properties of a material by changing its microstructure?
MateriOville is an exhibition including objects as varied as a block of magnesium, a melamine soup ladle, a graphite badminton racket and silicone breast implants! Simple yet interesting manipulations and experiments will have visitors discover the properties of materials. Children are invited to make their own little house in the company of the three little pigs. Overall, it’s a hands-on exhibition that will make convinced materialists out of all comers!
In order to respond to the needs of school groups, the exhibition is accompanied by a document outlining the various educational activities adapted to different age levels as well as the basic presentation materials
The MateriOville exhibition is a co-production of the Musée J. Armand Bombardier and the EPC of the Musée de la nature et des sciences. It has received financial support from Canadian Heritage’s Museums Assistance Program, the Ministère du Développement Économique et Régional et de la Recherche as well as from the Fondation J. Armand Bombardier.
Zone 1 : Introduction
A brief history of materials for older visitors and the story of the three little pigs for younger ones, this zone comprises a module of signs at the entrance to the city and a module in the shape of a house where the visitor will find the storybooks of the three little pigs as well as magnetic house cut-outs for children.
Zone 2 : The Family Space
The materials are divided into four families: ceramics, metals, plastics and composites. According to the matter and the nature of the chemical bonds between molecules, a material is classified as belonging to one of these families.
This zone includes four boutiques that resemble the four families of materials. All of the boutiques have window displays of the various objects made from the featured material. Other objects decorate the boutiques’ exteriors. The plastic boutique has a display of fruit and vegetables; a bicycle is parked in front of the metals boutique.
Did you know that ivory is a natural plastic? That composite materials do not melt or rust? Or that specific periods of human history are named after certain materials? Inside the boutiques, visitors learn about the origins, properties and history of the material in question. Each one of the boutiques has a table for hands-on activities as well as a box containing materials children can use to decorate their magnetic houses (brick exteriors, aluminum doors, PVC windows, asphalt shingles.)
Zone 3 : Properties Street
For industrial use, a material’s properties are usually more important than the family to which it belongs. Two special houses, separated by an alleyway, are located each side of Properties Street.
The House of Specialists presents materials that have specific applications for industry: materials with acoustic and magnetic properties, biomaterials, functional textiles as well as energy stockers and converters. Children can choose an awning made of a UV-resistant textile for the window on their house. A hands-on experience will enable visitors to verify the efficiency of acoustic foam; another allows them to turn on a light bulb using a combination of mechanical and magnetic forces.
Intelligence Alley presents materials that react to a specific factor by changing one of their properties. These are materials with a memory for shape, light-reactive materials and biodegradable materials. Visitors will be able to experiment with piezo-electric crystals by taking their own blood pressure!
To discover more about the most intimate structures of materials, visitors will want to go to Nano’s House. There, visitors can view and examine crystals and quasi-crystals, colloidal systems such as foams and gels as well as some nanotechnology. The youngest visitors will be able to come and collect their insulating foam to protect their house. Older visitors will try their hand at reproducing various carbon-based structures.
Additional elements
The exhibition is enhanced by the presence of several stations that can be placed at different locations, according to need.
- A table of properties including different questions that can be used to describe a material. For example: Can the object be twisted? Is it heavy? A container with different objects inside is placed nearby.
- A bench for people who are tired and stressed. Did you know that these words also apply to materials?
- Flowerpots and containers with natural materials : shells, wood, horns…a small lesson in natural humility!
- A triangle shelf and a oversized cut-out of the three little pigs invites the children to deposit their completed house.
- A road sign “under construction” to mark the exhibition’s conclusion. It’s also a short reflection upon development and human need.
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