New interactive math exhibit brings subject to life

  • Published
  • By Angela Woolen
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  When it comes to math, not many school-aged children think of snowboarding, music or video games. That is exactly how the MathAlive! exhibit brings the concept of how math shapes nearly everything people touch every day.

"Our goal is to get kids excited about science, technology, engineering and math, through these interactive exhibits," said Barbara Borgonovi, vice president of operations for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems.

The exhibit has traveled from coast to coast, starting at the Smithsonian Museum in March 2012.

It will be at the Museum of Aviation's Century of Flight Hangar until July 4.

"More than a million people have seen MathAlive!," said Kim Parks, communication and public affairs senior manager for Raytheon.

In 2016, the exhibit is making the rounds near military bases nationwide. The exhibit came by truckload to Warner Robins from the Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado. It will travel from Middle Georgia to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Wright- Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

Fifth grade students from Daughtry County in Jackson were able to preview the interactive displays May 19 as part of the opening day and ribbon cutting.

One of those students was Brionna Abercrobmie who is learning how to play guitar. She was drawn to the musical exhibit featuring drums, guitars and math facts on fractions and musical beats.

"I like it because it has hands-on activities," the 11-year-old said.

In the 5,000 square feet of space underneath the record-holding SR-71 aircraft, there are 19 different interactive exhibits.

"Each one applies a different kind of math," Parks said.

One of the exhibits allows children, or adults, to use angles and geometry in order to stay on snowboards to finish a race. Another explains how numbers are applied in nature.

The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular museum hours. The museum's summer camps will have time during the week to experience MathAlive! as well.

For more information, visit www.museumofaviation.org or call the museum at 478-926-6870.