What is the first formula racing car built in 2007 by the Aristotle Racing Team of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki? How many animals disappear from the planet every year and how can you … make your own Superanimal? What is an AR Sandbox that combines 3D imaging applications in real sand with the use of augmented reality technologies? How can we learn more about the life and work of Nikola Tesla through… A virtual interview with the great scientist? The answers to all this and more can be found in the lobby of NOESIS, which has been enriched with new objects and is now the new hot spot of the Science Dissemination Center and Technology Museum, located in Thessaloniki. The new technological corner of the Center has already been embraced by visitors of all ages and is the new point of interest for lovers of innovation and technological developments. In detail, the new exhibits are: 1. The formula racing car (Aristotle Racing Team AUTH)The first car of the research student team of motor sports of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki ART 7 is presented at NOESIS. This particular car was built in 2007 and competed for the first time in a competition in the United Kingdom, in 2008. The Aristotle Racing Team is staffed by 40 students from various departments of the University who design and build formula racing cars. With these, the team participates in international FSAE competitions and has received important distinctions. From its foundation -in 2006- until February 2024 it designed and built 7 cars with which it won 13 trophies.

2. Applications from Eco Zoo Theme Park

Through the interactive applications of the EcoZoo theme park, hosted until June 2024 at NOESIS, the public can explore the magical world of animals and “navigate” a global map of biodiversity. The interactive table includes knowledge quizzes and a memory game with the disappearances of animals in each country, while visitors can learn a lot about the senses and anatomy of animals and get answers to questions such as “How do animals around us hear and see?”. They can also tour a Greek forest with their binoculars and find hidden the most popular animals of the Greek fauna, but also make their own Superanimal with one app by combining heads, bodies and tails from different animals, choosing physical characteristics that are responsible for animal qualities such as speed, endurance, aggression, the ability to fly and swim. EcoZoo’s applications are complemented by the interactive wall on the climate crisis which… It comes to life by touching key points and shows the way for how we can improve life on the planet. All these applications are internal productions of the Research, Design & Development Directorate of NOESIS and were funded in the framework of the “Innovation Investment Plans” project of the Region of Central Macedonia. Watch the video with the applications here: https://youtu.be/nNVX8jaf1Os More about the project here: https://dmdm.noesis.edu.gr/ecozoo/ 3. The AR Sandbox The AR Sandbox, an educational and entertaining interactive exhibit, has also been added to NOESIS’ premises. It combines 3D imaging applications on real sand with the use of augmented reality (AR) technologies and allows users to create topography models forming the real sand, which is then augmented in real-time by a elevation color map, topographic contour lines, and simulated water. The system teaches geographical, geological, and hydrological concepts, such as how to read a topographic map, the concept of contour lines, watersheds, etc. The exhibit is used to create real-time physical topography models. With the use of a dedicated camera, the morphology of the real sand is scanned on a computer in real time and used as a background to create a variety of graphical effects and simulations. The final product is presented on the real sand through a projection system. With the utilization of augmented reality (AR) technologies, the interaction of users with the exhibit is immediate and any change in the morphology of the real sand modifies the final result in real time. The AR Sandbox is an in-house production of NOESIS’ Research, Design & Development Directorate and was funded in the framework of the “Future Space” project.

4. Virtual Interviews: The Science Heroes – Nikola Tesla

In the foyer of NOESIS, outside the entrance of the Planetarium, visitors can discover the life and work of Nikola Tesla. In the interactive exhibit they experience a virtual interview with the great scientist – and in fact… their physical size – and they are looking for answers to many questions about their life and work. This project was implemented by NOESIS in collaboration with Digital Innovations and was funded by the “Digital Culture” action of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

Relationship between participation and play
“In science centers such as NOESIS, interactive exhibits are based on the creation of a relationship of participation and play to achieve the immersion of the visitor and the understanding of more difficult or abstract concepts”, emphasizes the President of NOESIS, Dr. Styliani Bezergiani and adds: “NOESIS is interested in the interaction between the visitor and the technological or mechanical system of an exhibit, mainly in terms of the way the user perceives the “response” of the system. This presupposes that every action involves intention and critical thinking and is not just about pressing a button, but about being able to control a system or an environment with the ultimate goal of freedom to define the experience by the visitor.”