EXPLORIT Science Center - Weekly Column

Imagine you get into your car one day and instead of driving off into traffic, you are lifted into the air by your personal vertical takeoff and landing vehicle. You then comfortably cruise, in the air, to your destination at 350+ mph, and land in any parking space you like. Is this possible today? Or what if you did your daily travels in a passenger car that got 270 mpg? Would you prefer to use an even more sustainable type of transportation? How about a unique bicycle designed especially for you?

If any of these inventions spark an interest, then Explorit Science Center invites you to “Meet the Inventors”, Saturday, February 5 from 11:00am to 3:30pm. Come on February 5th to meet three inventors along with some of their latest transportation ideas. This event is being held as part of Explorit’s exhibition, “Inventors and Inventions Through the Centuries.” Don’t miss this opportunity to spend an exciting day discovering these and other unique inventions relating to transportation.

Andrew Frank, professor of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at UC Davis, will be at Explorit, from 11:00 - 1:00p.m, along with one of his hybrid cars he has helped develop. Along with his engineering team, Frank has designed cars that have set records in national events for high mileage (3300 mpg) and for real passenger cars, a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain that uses both gasoline and electricity and provides very low emissions. This car has demonstrated 270 mpg and 5 miles/kwhr of electricity from the wall plug in city driving. You’ll have the chance to discover first-hand one of these hybrid vehicles at Explorit.

From 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. will be Peter Wm. Wagner, inventor of the many whimsical bicycles seen around Davis. “Who needs A fuel tank?” asks Wagner. “I can get you cycling.” Building and recycling cycles since age 11, Wagner has designed and built an impressive array of uni-, bi-, tri-, and quadra- cycles. You’ve seen his cycles at Picnic Day, the Farmer’s Market and the Davis Cyclebration...now come try one (or a different one!) yourself.

President of Moller International and inventor of the Skycar, Paul Moller will be the final inventor of the day from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. In 1940, Henry Ford claimed, “Mark my word. A combination airplane and motor car is coming. You may smile, but it will come...” With the development of Skycar, a personal use aircraft that takes off like a helicopter and flies like a plane, Moller is seeing to that pledge. From the unique engine that powers these crafts to their high speed, Moller International is putting personal transportation into the air.

“Meet the Inventors,” at Explorit Science Center, will be free to the public. Join Explorit for one or all three presentations. While at Explorit take advantage of the opportunity and visit the current exhibition, “Inventors and Inventions Through the Centuries.” Admission fees to this exhibition are only $3 per person ages 4 and above.

Learn about inventions of everyday objects, discover an invention timeline dating back to 400,000 BC, and explore the idea of creating your own invention.

Explorit generally designs the hands-on science exhibitions to be appropriate for children in K - 6th grade. However, it has been discovered that parents return again and again, with their children, because they have just as much fun.

So clear your calendars for February 5th, and spend an exciting day visiting with local inventors who have turned some of their ideas into reality at Explorit Science Center’s “Meet the Inventor.”

Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is Inventors and Inventions Through the Centuries. Public hours are Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Regular admission is $3; members, teachers (with school ID) and children under 4 are free.

Explorit Science Center Weekly Column