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Hill Country Science Mill
Charles McClure
Fri, May 8, 2015 3:43 PM

It's hard not to gawk gazing at the gears, gadgets, gizmos and whiz bang's at the new Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City. The regional science center's February grand opening left a packed house singing the praises of the world-class facility.

The first step into the scientific universe when entering the Science Mill is meeting your avatar, an animated tour guide who will help you through the various twists and turns as you interface with the various and varied displays. Upon entrance, you will create your "Avatar Passport," which will create an account that will accompany you throughout your visit.

For Dr. Bonnie Baskin, who co-founded the museum with Dr, Robert Elde, the endeavor was a labor of love.

"The building was a disaster when we first began," Baskin said. "Every person who was involved in this project gave 150 percent."

Baskin said her hope is that the end result is "something that you will think is very, very special."

Not so long ago, the center was a dilapidated, rusting hulk of an 1880s era steam-fed grist mill and cotton gin that had served as the heart of commerce in the community for generations with its unique mechanical innovations. The building evolved through the years. In 1901, it became a flour mill and by the 1930s, it became a feed mill, and rode the coattails of the historically significant movement toward rural electrification, legislation pushed through the U.S. Congress with the assistance of legendary House Speaker Sam Rayburn, D-Bonham, and later Johnson City's local-boy-makes-good, Lyndon Johnson, then a fledgling lawmaker.

By 1980, it appeared the mill had breathed its last and was closed down and left to the ravages of Mother Nature. A restaurant tried and failed to regenerate interest. In time, the old mill elapsed into an artistic backdrop for photographers seeking a rustic setting.

Iconic, though it was, the Science Mill recycled the facility into a wondrous array of cutting-edge exhibits that carry forward the established historic link between evolving technology from the industrial revolution into the new boundaries that encompass the digital age.

Without question, the fractals exhibit is a visual tour-de-force. A fractal is a curve or geometric figure, each part of which has the same statistical character as the whole. They are useful in modeling structures like eroded coastlines or snowflakes in which similar patterns recur at progressively smaller scales, and are displayed in seemingly random or chaotic phenomena. Fractals are essential to crystal growth, fluid turbulence, and play a part in the formation of the galaxy.

It is the creation of Kati McAllister Hibri.

"Through the sculpture, it is the aim to convey the invisible forces that harmonize the seemingly chaotic universe into pattern, life and consciousness," Hibri said. "It is a great way to teach mathematical concepts"

The exhibit features a stalagmite-like structure that hangs from the ceiling. Below it is a large mirror. Those examining the exhibit can look into the mirror and witness the strange and beautiful random patterns that are produced by the LED lights in the ceiling fixture as it produces the random patterns.

There is so much to see and do at the Science Mill. Undoubtedly, the "lissagraph," designed by Craig Newswanger and located in the foyer, recalls the days of the fun baby boomers had with the "Spiro graph," except an analogue machine designs the patterns.

"It relates to mechanisms, mechanics, cranks and other mathematical equations," Newswanger said.

If water is a central theme for the semi-arid Hill Country, then "The Story of Water" exhibit will quench the thirst for knowledge on the subject. The exhibit examines the movement of underground water through rocks, showing the invisible part of how the life-giving liquid eventually makes it to the faucet.

There is BioLab that teaches the real life aspects of how scientists solve the most pressing issues of biology, from the conductivity of electricity to the invisible microorganisms that help make up the eco-system of planet earth.

The Science Mill even offers 3-D movie experiences, along with lectures by scientists like "Dr. Kold," aka Rick McMaster, who teaches how gasses like liquid hydrogen interact with various experiments.

You can take a trip through the "Virtual Human Body." Simple hand gestures interact with a 60-inch touch screen display. Swipe, zoom and slice images and gain a deeper understanding into the functions and processes inside the human body. The tested science called "computerized tomography — also known as CT scan" — slices the human body, creating a 3D image.

The "critter bots" exhibit will introduce robotic skills and allow patrons to make computerized commands to mechanized animals that will surely capture the fledgling engineer's interest. It is a great and basic lesson about programming for children who are expanding their scientific horizons.

Some folks who belong to "later generations" are sure to get a charge from the "Cell Phone Disco" display. Your trusty cell phone can set off an array of lights, teaching how radio waves connect to the invisible waves that make your cellular network, made detectable via electromagnetic radiation.

There is so much to do that no one leaves disappointed. If you need a break along the way, the facility also has a snack bar operated by critically acclaimed chef Kay Pratt.

The Science Mill is winning kudos across the region for its innovate design and dedication to cutting edge educational exhibits.

Congressman Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, said the accomplishments of Drs. Baskin and Elde, teaches essential skills to future engineers and scientists in the region, as well as to interested children and adults that peruse the facility.

"When you look at the jobs of the future, there will be twice as many that require science and technical expertise than those that don't," Smith said. "That is why the work of Dr. Baskin is so important. It renews your faith in America when you see what a person can do who has a vision and is determined."

On your way out the door, don't forget to return to the check-in kiosk and make a "selfie" with your Avatar. The process is largely self-explanatory; however, if you have questions, the friendly folks who staff the Science Mill are easy to find and quick to assist.

The Science Mill is located at 191 S. Ladybird Lane in Johnson City. For more information, call 844-236-6405 or visit www.sciencemill.org.

Texas Hill Country Magazine