The Sky’s the Limit for NYSCC Charity Event

The New York Chapter of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists continues its philanthropic activities with its Chairman’s Charity Event to be held Oct. 23 at Liberty Science Center (LSC), Jersey City, NJ. The event, which benefits Reading Is Fundamental, will include a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. in the Skyscraper Exhibit, with dinner and dancing from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Attendees can take in LSC’s new exhibit, Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact, where they can learn about the science, technology, planning and construction behind these amazing structures. Skyscrapers demonstrate applications of science and technology integral to the design, construction and life span of a tall building, all in the context of the daily lives of those who use them.

At 12,800 square feet, including a 1,500-square-foot mezzanine gallery, Skyscraper! is the largest permanent exhibition at Liberty Science Center. Guests will discover many aspects of skyscraper design and engineering, from the basic physics of elevator operation to a “curtain wall” test chamber that produces nor’easter-like winds to assess building materials. They can also learn how environmentally conscious architects and engineers apply “green” design principles to create more sustainable buildings.

Offering a variety of presentation formats from multimedia to full-body kinetic experiences and experiment-based lab stations, the exhibition examines the science and technology of these amazing structures through four main content areas:

Zone 1: Skyscraper World offers an overview of skyscrapers and their importance to our lives. In addition to large, detailed models of some of the world’s most notable tall structures, this area includes live feeds from construction projects around the world, a look at skyscrapers in common culture, a design activity and the opportunity to read personal stories associated with tall buildings, including the World Trade Center, and contribute one’s own.

Zone 2: Designing & Engineering explores the design, planning, engineering processes and operation of modern skyscrapers. Guests are able to experiment with city planning, design their own skyscrapers, conduct wind tunnel tests on their designs, and see how water and air are transported to the top of a skyscraper.

Zone 3: The Construction Site offers the look and feel of being at a real construction site. Guests can “put on a hard hat” and explore the science behind skyscraper construction from prepping the foundation and erecting steel and concrete to enclosing the frame. They can operate a crane, test the properties of hydraulic systems and walk along an I-beam situated well above the gallery floor. Guests can also observe construction processes by speeding up or slowing down a time-lapse video of construction of The New York Times tower, designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano.

Zone 4: The Building introduces guests to social and environmental characteristics of skyscrapers. From a lobby interior to a rooftop garden, guests learn how individual tall buildings, as well as their accumulated mass, alter local weather patterns. Additional experiences include panoramic city views from skyscrapers around the world, comparing energy consumption, and learning about the benefits of sustainable design. Finally, guests can explore the latest advances in building design with a glimpse at designs of the future.

More info: www.nyscc.org/chairmanscharityevent.html