RonnieAdventure #0119 - Arizona State University ISTB 4, Gallery of Scientific Exploration, Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona

As you enter ISTB 4 (Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 4) at Arizona State University (ASU), the first thing that you notice on the right side of the lobby is a Triceratops dinosaur skull. With a few million years in-between, on the left side of the lobby is a full-size replica of the Mars Curiosity Rover that is 9.5 feet long, 9 feet wide and over 7 feet tall. The Curiosity Rover on Mars weighs about 2,000 pounds and includes 180 pounds of scientific equipment, while the full-size replica at ASU weighs only about 450 pounds.

The first floor of ISTB 4 is dedicated to “visualizing science,” which focuses on exhibits to “explore earth and space sciences through digital media, public lectures, visible laboratories, and interactive displays.” Throughout the Gallery of Scientific Exploration, to help explain scientific knowledge, there are various kiosk-style interactive exhibits with large-format, high-definition monitors that display video information from earth-observing satellites and robotic probes of other worlds. “Magic Planet” is a popular exhibit that uses a six-foot diameter sphere with internal digital video projectors to present global information from NASA, NOAA, and other sources about the Earth, Moon, Sun and Planets.

Also located on the first floor is the Marston Exploration Theater that presents documentary movies with earth and space science themes. The auditorium is also used for public lectures on various scientific subjects. A list of public events can be found on their website: SESE.ASU.EDU/Marston.

The second floor of ISTB 4 contains the Center for Meteorite Studies and glass-walled lab modules where you can observe students and faculty at work on various scientific projects. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints and staff limitations, the public Meteorite Identification Program has been suspended and the University will no longer accept meteorite specimens sent for identification. However, meteorite samples from the ASU World-renowned collection are on display where visitors can touch real meteorites and find out where meteorites come from.

Now if I could only remember everything that I learned on my visit to ISTB 4!