Our red carpet treatment at WET began with reserved parking and 4 tour guides handing out protective eye-gear.  Entering the first  building we learned that WET designs, develops and fabricates most of their own parts.  And when machines cut metal it is LOUD.  For many, it was amazing to see machines cutting metal forms – and almost unbelievable and apropos that it was not a blade, but high-pressured hot water mixed with a sand aggregate that cuts designs into metal.   And to follow up the splash of Superhero water, the next building we walked into, we witnessed sparks fly as a robotic arm welded fountain parts together.  The red plastic curtain protected our eyes from the brightness of the the sparks which are bright enough to burn your retinas.  We witnessed many designers, engineers, programmers and who knows what else,  at work as we passed through more buildings and more rooms before pausing to watch footage of their work orchestrated to moving music.  That room itself was filled with scale models of existing projects, this one is of a WET production room from their website.

After the machines, the movies, and the models it was now time for the MAGIC of the fountains (and air compressors).  We walked across a giant lawn landscaped with an uber-water molecule towards the entryway of a warehouse workshop.  This is where water and fire intermingle.  By hiring pyrotechnic specialists who have worked on movie sets and rock & roll tours and embracing the champagne marathon mindset (uncork and run with it), WET mingles fire, water and music to dazzle the world.   Jason thrilled our group indoors with fire and emptied gallons of water upon our willing volunteers outdoors.

Our warmest thanks goes out to the staff @ WET who shared their magic with us – especially our guides Saban, Emily, Devyn, Stephanie.  A shout also goes to the engineers offering us the welding show on their lunch break, and Jason for giving us the 70+ foot high show that drenched our kids (and some parents)!  And of course, a thousand hugs to our coordinator Kristen for doing all the legwork.  Thank you all!

Math Midway will be at the Discovery Center for Science & Technology in Thousand Oaks until August 12th. Notice all the volunteers in white lab coats?  Everywhere you turned there was a helpful person willing to be patient and explain any and all aspects of the events.  And these aren’t even all of the exhibits.

…………………………………………………………My daughters are 4 and 7 and were entertained and stimulated.  They asked some provocative questions and were EXCITED to apply Math and Physics principles to the games they were playing.  The older  homeschoolers in our group were equally impressed and spent more time at certain exhibits.  Each element of the exhibit offers a mulititude of layers.  On the surface layer, it is like a magic trick that is instantly gratifying.  Then upon further investigation, the deeper understanding grants you even more challenges.  Every parent was engaged as well by this fun exhibit: from the string-less  harp that plays on sensors, the numberline tightrope a monkey rides on,  to the center attraction – the square-wheeled tricycles on a fibonacci sunflower.  I promise you will not leave Math Midway with out learning something new!

Check out some of the action shots and videos of the fun we all had.  And if you do go, tell them that MudPies & Butterflies sent you!  If you do, they will get $1 off each person in your party.