The Sci | Art 2009 program was a very interesting new experience for me. I’d never gone to this kind of summer program and especially coming alone for two weeks on a college campus. I wasn’t sure what to expect or for that matter how much we would do and see. But they had everything planned out and our schedule planned. I really enjoyed the little trips to labs and the Getty museum.
I was really facinated by the Sol Gel lab we went to. Mostly cause when they mentioned aerogel I knew what they were talkng about because i did a science fair poject in middle school on it. But seeing the real thing n front of me and glowing was really cool and I could see how not only in science but it could be applied to an art piece as well.
Ferrofluids!!! I’d been looking forward to this experiment when i had first heard the words magnetic liquid. You wouldn’t expect those two words together let alone thinking it cold be possible. Making it was a slow and patient process but well worth it because then you got to see first hand its not fake and possible to create. I’d never heard about it before, but after all the decanting and getting the finished substance was really cool. The magnet was small, not even that strong, but it worked and seeing the liquid spike up and move according to your movement was very neat.
I LOVED the photolithography. I think this was a great example and experiment to do. When I heard about how the process is done it reminded me of the solar paper that what ever u put on top of stays shaded and the rest exposed to light would get lightened. Being able to make a design and transfer it to a chip through the chemical processes intrigued me and I love how personal you could make it.
My last favorite part of this program was the Anechoic Chamber. Walking in was like no other room i’d ever seen. I didn’t know the floor would be made of wire mesh and even be able to hold the amount of weight that was on it. The walls and floor was unique and when the lights were off, I was surprised to how dark it got. I closed my eyes and opened them and you couldn’t even tell the difference. Even cooler part was when we got tape rolls and he told us t stip it really fast from the roll. That confused me and I didn’t understand what a roll of tape had to do with a dark room and how that would be related. But after a few tries I finally got it. The vibrations the tape made with the sound created a glowing light to appear. I really enjoyed that and couldn’t stop to where i had a huge ball of tape in my hand. It was so quite and peaceful when no one moved or talked.
Overall I was satisfied with this program. Not only did I learn about science and art, visiting labs, do experiments, I got a little taste of college. Living in a dorm, walking around campus, having to make it to a class and be at places at specific times. I liked being able to meet new people every where, and having such a mix of people. I felt that this was just a step up and prepared me for the future.