The Perot Museum of Nature and Science recently updated its 4,500-square-foot Engineering and Innovation Hall, thanks to a $1.3 million gift from Texas Instruments. Groove Jones is proud to have contributed several new exhibits to the updated hall, one of which is the World of Circuits experience.
In the World of Circuits, users can create music or design a mathematical-based work of art on a sand table by interacting with two 42” touch screens based on STEM principles. Guests learn how math and science can be used to create music and art.
At the music station, users move around digital circuits to power on tracks to create musical effects. Additionally, users can drag a variety of effect nodes like – Envelope, Distortion, Flange, Param EQ, and Pitch Shift, into the circuit to affect the waveform of the music track.
Think of a guitarist stepping on an effect pedal or running the audio through a filter to change its waveform and frequency. For music nodes, the user adds a guitar riff or thumping bass. The effects nodes range from pitch to high pass to flange.
The pitch node changes the track’s pitch, setting it to a higher or lower octave depending on the user’s finger movements on the touchscreen.
The more nodes the user (or composer) adds, the more active the digital stage becomes, offering a great light show to accompany the concert.
At the interactive sand table, Groove Jones created a digital interface where guests can select line length, angle, and rotation. Based on these selections, a mechanical arm will create geometrical art in sand. At the touchscreen, users drop the nodes in succession to begin their design.
When finished, they can press the “draw” button, and the mechanical arm will begin to create the sand art.
If you want to see how it all works, the machine’s individual motor parts and gears are on display. Watching them move around is nearly as fun as watching your design come to life in the sand!
From Fabrication to Installation
The Groove Jones team not only created the digital experience but also developed the mechanical and physical experience, down to installing the touchscreens and the sand table onsite at the museum.
More info about the Perot Museum of Nature and Science can be found here – https://www.perotmuseum.org/exhibits-and-films/permanent-exhibit-halls/engineering-and-innovation-hall.html
