Description:

A sculpture that aims to spark curiosity.

MOTAT wanted to radically redefine the way our tamariki engage with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). There was evidence of a decline in science achievements and a “pattern of disengagement” in schools. New Zealand studies also found that children who don’t express interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by age 10 aren’t likely to develop an interest or pursue a career in STEM at all.

MOTAT’s Te Puawānanga was to be a brand-new space for children and their whanau to explore science and technology in a whole new way. Aiming to “shake up” how youth learn about STEM and capture children’s imaginations to instil a love for science and discovery that carries through their teen and tertiary years.

As a centrepiece for this new centre, MOTAT needed a large sculptural design element to showcase the relationship of energy and matter. A sculpture that would draw visitors into the space and create a sense of wonder within the larger Te Puawānanga spatial environment. It needed to be playful, welcoming and become a talking point for visitors during a visit and beyond.

Typically science centre interactives cater either to a single visitor or family group but we wanted to change that. We gave the Energy Machine a strong collaborative drive, incorporating play with a mix of physical and digital design techniques to engage our young audience.

The main design driver for the Energy Machine was to create a sculpture that could be physically interacted with by a range of visitors to reach a desired outcome, allowing for individual use or 8 separate visitors contributing to a single high impact outcome. It takes inspiration not only from industry but also nature. Formally it is described as a ‘machine’ but to a lot of visitors it resembles a creature that is sprawled across the space. This sprawling footprint allows for 8 individuals to contribute their energy to raise the central tower of balls (Galilean cannon) until they blast upwards, but also allows for others to observe the activity and safely move around the space.

Since opening the new Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre, MOTAT has seen visitation increase by nearly 50%, and anecdotally longer than average dwell time across the centre.

Simon Gould, MOTAT Head of Exhibition, states “If you can judge by the numbers of children running straight towards The Energy Machine then you know it’s our biggest hit.”