Saturday, June 20, 2009

20 June 2009 Oak Ridge (The Secret City) TN

On our way back to Knoxville we came across a place called Oak Ridge and whilst driving through we saw that they are holding the annual two day Festival of the Secret City. Now Oak Ridge is called the secret city because all the nuclear development takes place here and they celebrated the 40 year history of this town.

We met up early with Mark and family and Johan and took the short 20 minute drive from Knoxville to Oakridge. Our first stop was the American Museum of Science and Energy. This was a field trip in science for the kids as well as us. Today entrance was only 25 cents as part of the festival. All the interesting facts about energy, nuclear technology and X-rays was explained through interactive activities.

To top it off we had a lecture in the auditorium about the van den Graaf generator with a shocking experience.

The whisperdish where you could whisper across 50 m and still hear the other person. Michi solving the first puzzle Puzzle activity P6200083

Isotopic thermoelectric generator 1961 An Original x-ray machine that was still used until 2004 an electron sphere Denise posing as a cow a group photo Information about the coal mining industry in the US A lot of nuclear missile technilogy eminated fron here. Little Boy that was dropped on Hiroshima by the Enola Gay. P6200099 Sven and Rietha  competing against the computer to check who can sort and check keys the quickest. a lesson on robotic arm control P6200104 This is harder than it looks Operating a hydraulic robotic arm to move the ball from one spot to another. Try this one, one day . Tie your shoelaces with two pliers. Static electricity exhibits P6200113 Michi playing with Plasma. Michelle in flourecense Tee van den Graaff generator.Michelle the ever willing assistant  All the kids being used in interactive learning experience about the shedding of electrons and transmittal of electrostatic energy.

Now for the new Hair look in 2009

Michi Sven This thing Charges you up Amelia Michelle Riehta and Denise Ashleigh Our hair did not stand on end, but they made Mark and Johan transfer a spark of about 25 cm.P6200165 Thiis was the same sensation as that day on Tzannen with the heavy thunderstorm, when lightning struck not further than 200m from us on the boat. P6200146 Johan reading up on some WW2 facts The Bomb sighting equipment from the Enola Gay.

After the museum we walked over to the Festival with hundreds of stands and lots of activities for the kids, and you won’t believe all for free. The other interesting thing that happened here was a full on World War 2 re-enactment with full on gunfire and Mortar fire entertaining the crowds. Represented were the British, Americans and Germans. They take this very serious with all their setups very lifelike. Afterwards they share stories and explain certain weapons and let the kids handle them.

Strolling to the Festival Outdoor Laser games Outdoor Lan party Rubber band gun shooting range. This robot entertained the passers by. At the Tennessee State Parks and Wildlife stall

Michelle and Sven with a creek owl Ashleigh with the Creek owl The larger Owl What is it with girls and horses? The young kids play areas. P6200194

A genuine Texas Longhorn Steer The petting zoo area had Camels, alpacas,Lamas,sheep, Parrots,Yak, Emus and a tortoise Michelle and Ashleigh with lambs. Kids playing a flying disc game Baseball game P6200205 P6200208 This is where the State Troopers had an exhibit of a car rolling with the driver not buckled up to show the kids how a person is thrown out of the vehicle if  not wearing a seatbelt. Michelle on the climbing wall Sven Michi Little Denise also wanted a piece of the action Mark with his Boere Hoed Next activity Bungee trampoline P6200221 Michelle into the action Ashleigh jumping high Time to vandalise a car. My piece of Graffiti P6200233 P6200234

Then we strolled down the battlefield

P6200236A old BMW with side car A Kuebelwagen. British field hospital P6200242 A Brenn LMG anold Willys They even had tanks as part of the excercise P6200246 P6200247

Then we moved back to the live entertainment, with Belly dancers and a juggling Comedian etc.

P6200250 P6200253 P6200259 A classic, these guys bring their kids to the festival in a wagon. P6200260 P6200263

We left the festival tired, but it was a great American experience.

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