This activity is less hands-on than other Outreach opportunities, and due to its show-and-tell nature is appropriate for children of all ages.

Note: Strobe lighting is used in darkened conditions.  Adults/children prone to epileptic seizures, and children who are afraid of the dark should inform instructor.

During this activity, students explore high speed imagery: how it works and why we use it. Students first watch an Academy Award winning short film entitled "Quicker than a Wink". This ten minute film humorously depicts high speed imagery and Doc's career.

The class gets an opportunity to experiment with some of the technology that Doc often used in the lab.  There is a High Speed Video camera that records 2500 images in 2.5 seconds, and a digital camera plus strobe light system that can take MultiFlash pictures. Students get to design and implement photographs to take. The Spinning Discs are also used to illuminate how strobe lighting affects how we see things.

A great follow-up to this activity can be a trip to the nearby MIT Museum, which has many hands-on science exhibits as well as much on Doc Edgerton.  If desired, an activity making zoetropes can be scheduled for the group at the Museum.  (Please contact the Museum staff if there is interest in the follow-up.)