FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daniel Casciato, Public Programs & Marketing Manager
SciTech Spectacular
412.237.3335 or
Cool and Cutting-Edge Returns to CarnegieScienceCenter
The Diet Pop/Mentos Guys, Segway Rides, and the Rinspeed Senso Car
Highlight this Year’s SciTech Spectacular
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 28, 2006 –What happens when you combine 280 liters of Diet Pepsi and over 500 Mentos mints? It's an experiment that is amazing and completely insane. It’s also all part of the fun at this year’s SciTech Spectacular at CarnegieScienceCenter.
The 7th Annual SciTech Spectacular returns Oct. 13-22, 2006toCarnegieScienceCenter with activities and events for all ages. The SciTech Spectacular is an interactive festival of what’s cool and cutting-edge in science and technology in this region and beyond.
“The event is the region’s version of a 21st Century World’s Fair – combined with music and the arts to appeal to all types of people,” said Linda Ortenzo, Executive Director of the SciTech Spectacular. “It’s exciting, fun and packed withindoor and outdoor activities to stimulate the minds of adults and children alike. They see a broad range of science and technology in action that they can’t see anywhere else. It's also the only event of its kind in the United States.”
According to the Pittsburgh Technology Council, over 1,500 regional positions in science and technology remain unfilled because there are not enough viable candidates in the science and technology fields in this region.
“Our goal is to keep the region competitive in these fields and promote economic growth,” said Robert J. Kumpf, Ph.D., Vice President, Future Business for Bayer MaterialScience LLC and Board President of the SciTech Spectacular. “The Spectacular incorporates education, fun and unique experiences for people of all ages to inspire visitors to understand and support science and technology development and to consider pursuing careers in these fields.”
He added, “This event really captures the spirit of the discoveries and innovations in science and technology from our region and the global impact of this work. Bayer Corporation is proud to be involved with SciTech Spectacular. Our company is committed to improving science
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education through initiatives like this and ourMaking Science Make Senseprogram that advances science literacy through hands-on, inquiry-based science learning, employee volunteerism and public education.”
There are plenty of thrills and excitement in store for everyone at the Spectacular, including:
See the Diet Pop/Mentosperformers – Oct. 13 & 14
As seen on YouTube.com, Mythbusters,The Late Show with David Letterman and Today, “mad scientists” Fritz Grobe and Stephen Voltz perform their wildly popular and spectacular mint-powered version of the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas using Diet Pepsi and Mentos. In addition to their performance, they will also address such questions like, “What makes the soda fly out of the bottle?” and“Will you explode if you drink Diet Coke and eat Mentos?”
Ride the Segway obstacle course - Oct. 13, 14, 21 & 22
Visitors can ride a self-balancing, battery propelled Segway for an unparalleled riding experience. They can ride for fun or through a challenging obstacle course. Trained Segway glide technicianswill ensure riders will have a safe, memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Experience the Rinspeed Senso car as it makes itsU.S. debut - Oct. 13 & 14
Renowned Swiss car designer and solutionspecialist Rinspeed and Bayer MaterialScience, one of the largest producers of plasticin the world, will have on display the next generation of carswith the "Senso" concept car. Sight, touch, feel, smell and hearing are the major elements ofthe development work that has gone into the Rinspeed Senso. Its name reflects whatit actually does. The Senso "senses" the driver and adjusts to him/her.
This isespecially important as the risk of an accident is significantly reduced if the personbehind the wheel is relaxed and wide awake. The environmentally friendly "Senso", which runs on CO2-reducing natural gas, putsthe central focus on the driver as an individual and appeals to the emotions thanks toits unusual design. It also features an innovative outer skin coating.
Explore the Hi-Tech Sports and Hi-Tech Vehicle Zones - Oct. 14, 21 & 22
In the Hi-Tech Sports Zone, visitors can see and touch ice that won’t melt andgreen-friendly golf tees that disintegrate after 30 days; compare their athletic ability with those of a pro in a video simulation;and play football with the women of the Pittsburgh Passion.
Also featured in this area is ademonstration of the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. The Sport Kit consists of a small 2.4-GHz transmitter that plugs into the iPod nano's dock connector and a
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small, flat sensor that you slip into your right shoe underneath the sock guard. The two pieces communicate wirelessly with each other; the sensor sends complex waveform data about your running speed, which the iPod then translates into distance and other measurements.
Representatives from Louisville Slugger will also be present to demonstrate a bionic glovefor arthritic people which help improves grip strength 16% over the use of bare hands and improves the ability to twist things like metal knobs by 47%.
Among the highlights of the Hi-Tech Vehicle Zone is a fire safety house that is equipped with a package that enables tornado simulations; one of Port Authority’s new hybrid electric buses and the new PPG Great Color Caper van, which features a high-energy, interactive multimedia show that uses a super-hero, comic-book-style theme to teach visitors about light, energy, reflection, pigments, and color perception.
Enjoy interactive exhibits from Pittsburgh’s hottest science and tech companies - Daily
Visitors can experience the Tech Zone where corporations and universities demonstrate their best and brightest breakthrough thinking. Some of the activities include: using a cryomicroscope in a demonstration about freeze tolerance in animals; testing your strength against tough plastics;comparing your DNA traits to other visitors; andputting on a pair of 3-D glasses and traveling through the human body via images that were created using a supercomputer.
There’s all this plus music, games, prizes and lots more.
This year’s event also includes a science and technology job and internship fair on Friday, Oct. 20, from 1:30-5:30. On Monday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m., Café Scientifique teams up with the Spectacular to present a free presentation: “Dating & Relationships: From the Heart to the Brain,” hosted by Timandra Harkness of the Comedy Research Project in Great Britain and Dr. Harry Witchel of Bristol University.
It all begins Friday, Oct. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the SciTech Spectacular Kick-Off Party. Admission to the party is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children (ages 3-12)and seniors (ages 62+). Admission for the rest of the Spectacular is $14 adults; $10 children (ages 3-12) and seniors (ages 62+). For a full schedule of events, visit
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EDITOR’S NOTE:To see a presentation of the Diet Pop/Mentos experiment, visit For interviews with the Diet Pop/Mentos guys, please contact Daniel Casciato at 412.237.3335.