Earth & Sky

Nano exhibition opens at Epcot

Ever wonder what it would be like to experience life at the scale of atoms and molecules? A traveling exhibition on nanotechnology – now touring the U.S. – is offering that experience.

Nanotechnology is the science of the very small. Materials engineered at the nanoscale have unusual properties. Some see nanotechnology as a key technology for the 21st century and beyond. But – because it happens at a scale too small to see – most of us have a tough time comprehending nanotechnology. The exhibition is designed to correct that.

Fred Petit is Director of Science at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Fred Petit: Yes, here at Epcot we like to give our guests a chance to explore some of those important technologies of the future.

The exhibit is called, “Too Small to See.” It opened at Epcot in November of 2006.

Fred Petit: I think it helps them to realize that scientists and engineers are working every day in this nanoworld to help improve our lives, whether it’s by some of the devices that we learn about that are in the exhibit, or whether it’s medical treatments that we’ll benefit from or improved ways of generating power that are also described there.

DB: We have more about the “Too Small to See” exhibition – including where it’ll go next – at earthsky.org.

Our thanks to the National Science Foundation, we’re Block and Byrd for Earth & Sky.

2 Comments for Nano exhibition opens at Epcot

1. 1

   Jan 28, 02:47 PM #

   Joseph L. Hart says:

   Where does the nano exhibit go after Epcot; what is its schedule?

2. 2

   Jan 28, 08:27 PM #

   Carl Batt says:

   Thanks for asking! Too Small to See goes to Sciencenter in Ithaca, New York (they helped to develop it). After that it is going to Wichita Kansas in the Fall. From there? Check in at www.toosmallsee.org to follow its journey. There will be a second version of Too Small to See going on tour in the Fall as well. Its tour schedule will be posted on our website as it develops.

   Carl