Breakthroughs
Water: Too Much, Too Little 400 Years After Henry Hudson
As part of its ongoing series of Breakthroughs exhibitions series focused
on science in the news, Liberty Science Center will display "Water: Too Much, Too Little 400 Years After Henry Hudson" to the
public from September 3 to January 15.
The exhibition is being developed by Science Center staff members in conjunction with the H2O9 Forum, organized in partnership with Henry Hudson 400 Foundation, to be held at the Center on September 9-10. The exhibition and forum are part of the 400th anniversary commemoration of Henry Hudson's legendary voyage for the Dutch to the Hudson River and New York. H209 will bring together business, environmental and government leaders exploring solutions to the water challenges facing The Netherlands and the New York City/New Jersey metropolitan region, and megacities around the globe.
Co-sponsored by Henry Hudson 400, the
exhibition offers members of the public an opportunity to consider these
challenges and their implications for living and working in the greater NJ-NY
area. Developed
in three distinct zones, the exhibition will help students and adults
understand that, in this age of rising sea levels and global climate change,
water issues loom large in the world's future. How can we learn to prepare for
these changes and challenges using new solutions and technologies? How can clean
water be equitably distributed?
Zone 1: Introduction - The exhibition is put into context by explaining that Henry Hudson's exploration was sponsored by the Dutch who today, as then, lead the way in managing water challenges like controlling flooding in areas prone to inundation. Modern-day water management seeks solutions to a spectrum of problems related to too little or too much water. Guests see amounts of ocean water (98%) versus fresh surface water available for human consumption (less than1%) on the Earth. Fresh, clean water is a rare and valuable commodity!
Zone 2: Too Much Water: Rising Water Challenges - As average Earth temperatures increase, sea levels rise and storms become more intense. This gallery's landmark exhibit is comprised of models of New Jersey-New York and Netherlands coastal areas that are at risk for flooding from a hurricane, gale or nor'easter.
Guests can see the effects of big storms on the landscape, and then use ocean storm surge barriers such as The Netherlands' Hollandse IJsell and Maeslant barriers to see how to control such inundations. Graphic panels interpret the effects of sea level rise and the overdue hurricane we should be preparing for in the New York / New Jersey region. The issue of river flooding - a major concern in NJ and elsewhere-will be covered. Additionally, guests will learn that Henry Hudson discovered his namesake river after being unable to penetrate the Northwest Passage to Asia because of polar ice -- ice that is now melting at an alarming rate
Zone 3: Too Little Water: Fresh Water Distribution and Consumption - In this area, visitors of all ages can discover the surprising amount of water Americans use daily (157 gallons) compared to residents of other countries including Japan, Germany, The Netherlands, Ethiopia and Mozambique (as little as one gallon).
Guests will consider challenging questions such as: Who owns water? Should people have to pay for it as they often do for food? How can clean water be obtained by those living far from a source? Guests will be able to explore these and other issues, discovering how innovative and inexpensive technologies are helping achieve water independence for all.
Special activity: Children and others can enjoy "plumbing" a house by connecting fixtures with clear pipes then watching red balls flow through the system. How much water does it use? They may discover some surprises, such as finding out that using a dishwasher is more water efficient than washing by hand.
What is Breakthroughs?
An exhibition in constant flux, Breakthroughs is an interactive, multimedia experience that changes to highlight current issues and events. Breakthroughs lets you delve into daily science news and keep pace with groundbreaking discoveries. Like our world, it is ever-changing.
Exhibitions in the Breakthroughs gallery change every 3-4 months and offer a wider perspective on aspects of science that are currently in the news. Past exhibitions focused on bird flu, science issues in the presidential election, the inventive genius behind the annual "Gadgetoff" gathering, and a look to our future in space in celebration of NASA's 50th anniversary.
Permanent Exhibition Highlights
Breakthroughs also includes a number of permanent pieces including:
Times Square of Science and Technology (T2ST)This multimedia sci-tech art piece hangs in a 60-foot-high atrium, showcasing discoveries and innovations in science and technology.
Live Demos
Special demonstrations reveal the basic scientific concepts behind new discoveries and relate them to everyday life. Videoconferencing – as well as visits from researchers making news – will inspire novices and experts alike.
Rovers
Specially-designed “rovers” bring the latest science news to you. When issues related to a permanent Science Center exhibition emerge, these plasma touch screens can be moved and updated to provide you with the very latest information.
Breakthroughs is made possible by the generosity of the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology.