Project: “In the Long Run”
Venue: “Chaos” Show, Ontario Science Centre
Location: Toronto, Canada
Date: Summer, 1989
Client: Ontario Science Centre
Contributors: Matthew Bates in the employ of OSC (concept
development, electronics, programming), OSC
fabrication (housing)

Client’s Requirements: This exhibit evolved out of a work term spent at the Exploratorium. The original concept was to produce an exhibit about the mathematics of distribution curves. In fact, during the work term four exhibits were taken to a completed prototype stage, each dealing with a different type of distribution curve. Two of these were appropriate to the “Randomness” area of the “Chaos” show at the Ontario Science Centre - “Reaction Time” and “Geiger Counter”

Fulfillment: Visitors interacted with the exhibits many times in a few minutes and built up their own distribution curves which would begin to take on a shape characteristic to the activity they were engaged in. They could also compare their curve with that of the average of the last 25 visitors. For these exhibits the explanatory graphics were tested first as temporary graphics - a useful new innovation in exhibitmaking techniques.

Interesting Features: Both of these exhibits were very popular with the visitors - quite an achievement for an exhibit about mathematics.