Plato was dear to me, but dearer still is truth
Thus a twenty year student of Plato fittingly epitomized the meaning Aristotle’s life and work as a man who searched for the truth or the logic behind everything. Aristotle’s method of questioning and analyzing until something is understood formed the basis for the scientific method that all scientists use today. Yes, the man Aristotle was a giant among giants.
The other Stagira
Just a half hour drive from Aristotle’s hometown Stagira (or Stageira), on the coast of Halkidiki, is a science park in the modern village called Stagira. Located high up in the Holomontas (Cholomontas) mountain of Halkidiki, this modern theme park was built in 2003 in dedication to Aristotle and his contribution to science. The really cool exhibits allow you to experiment with some natural phenomena that exists in nature, but still not so easy to grasp. The instruments erected operate according to the rules of physics that are mentioned in Aristotle’s writings and especially in his texts called “The Naturals”.
Educational day trip for the family
If you are vacationing nearby in Halkidiki, this can be an excursion that will be entertaining and educational for the whole family. Besides having some fun in the park, you can enjoy lunch at the taverna with a great birds eye view over the Athos peninsula and Ammouliani island below. The cost for entrance is only one euro.
What is there to do?
Some of the exhibits that exist in the science park are as follows…
Parabolic reflectors
Two bowls like a satelite dish are carefully placed facing each other. One person stands with his ear to one bowl and another person whispers into the opposite bowl. A conversation can be carried on as the sound waves are carried between the two reflectors. Try it you’ll be amazed!
Inertia spheres
Metal balls are all hung in a row. When the end ball is raised and allowed to drop and hit the row of metal balls, it’s momentum is transferred through the row and the ball on the opposite end will swing away from the group. The process repeats itself for some time. Just don’t get your head too close!
Optical discs
Demonstrates the effect of motion and the eye. The discs spin at a high speed and create a motion effect that the brain adapts to. When you then look at something stationary, it appears to be moving. This is why when a series of pictures are shown faster than 24 frames a second the brain interprets this as motion. This is the same effect when we watch a movie.
Pentaphone
Five large granite pieces that are calculated to give off a certain sound. Music can be played on this 5 note scale much like a giant xylophone.
Lens
Demonstrates the power that can be had when light energy is focused to a point. It’s like playing with matches.
Solar clock
A large marble slab with lines carved into the stone that somehow keep time. When the sun goes down, it’s time to head home.
What we recommend…
Why not make a fun day for the family and do our Aristotle tour. If you are with a car, you can make a trip to Stagira and tour the ruins of the birth place of Aristotle then in the afternoon head up the mountain to where it’s cool, have lunch and be entertained by the science park.
