Some highlights from Contraptions! include:

An array of interactive devices that use gears, cams, levers, motors, tools, and pieces of other machines to demonstrate the old-fashioned inner-workings of many modern amenities. The machines of modern life rely on worm drives to reduce speed within a drive line, need specially constructed sprockets for timing, and simply could not operate without assistance from pulleys and wedges. Come learn about the crucial components to your washing machine, the cars on our roadways, even your DVD player or VCR. Not only do these objects make life easier and safer, they also allow us to live a more enjoyable life.

Topoform: Topographic maps are two-dimensional drawings that depict elevation, surface shapes, and terrain of an area. Montpelier Vermont artist and craftsman David Blumenthal took his passion and love of topographs and created "Topoform" to illustrate the intricate beauty and artistry of these two-dimensional renderings. David describes what Topoform creates: "The three dimensional sculptural side brings it (the topographic map) to life." Through the interactive "Topomaker," which creates topographic maps from real three-dimensional objects, visitors can visualize how -- with a little imagination --- hills pop out, valleys sink away, and they be magically transported to a new place.

Disc Dance: Original artwork by Barre Vermont artist Janet Van Fleet. This exhibit installation transports visitors to the world of light and motion. Each "disc" represents both items much smaller and much larger than we are. From sub-atomic particles to galaxies far, far away, Van Fleet promises that Disc Dance will allow you to experience walking "...through a slice of the physical universe, our own planet, the other spinning globes out there, and unseen worlds of vibrating atoms and molecules of which we ourselves are composed."