Event One: California Science Center

Today, I visited the California Science Center. It was an exciting experience for me because I have never been to a science museum before. The exhibits that I saw helped me understand the topics and ideas we have been learning in class thus far. One display that stood out to me was the Simulator Ride. The simulator ride creates virtual reality and generates test conditions approximating actual or operational requirements. This particular simulation ride took you on a high-intensity, fast-paced, vivid adventure throughout the solar system. It relates closest to what we learned in week one and shows a secure connection between science and art.

As I boarded the "spaceship," I honestly had no idea what to expect. Shortly after I fastened my seatbelt, detailed graphics of the solar system came up on the screen joined with loud sounds and swift motions to replicate a real-life space takeoff would be like. The simulator fools your brain by enclosing you in the capsule, so you can only receive images and sounds that support the illusion. A simulator is a complex machine that is made up of several different parts that work in unison, all controlled by a state-of-the-art computer. Not only did the simulation give me a life-like spacecraft takeoff experience, but it made me realize how much art, science, and technology had to collaborate to produce this "virtual reality." In fact, NASA uses these simulators to prepare astronauts to live and work in outer space, and also to teach pilots to fly new aircrafts.

I think that this exhibit and experience was very beneficial in furthering my knowledge of the connection between arts, science, and technology. Seeing topics that we learned about in week one's lecture in real life gave me an even better understanding of the impact that art places in science and vice versa. So if you get a chance, I highly recommend visiting the California Science Museum!