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Spectacular Science Shows

Illusions

You won't believe your eyes!

Even though the Illusions exhibition was at Questacon in the 1999 this information is still a useful resource to anyone interested in the physiology and psychology of illusions, perception and vision.

These education materials are presented in the form of an online book.

Foreword
by Professor Lyn Beazley of the University of Western Australia

Our Brain: The Essentials

The Senses

About Visual Illusions

The Exhibits

  1. Visual Illusions Exhibits 1-27
  2. Other Illusions Exhibits 28-33 
  3. History of Brain Research Exhibits 34-58

Illusions Activities

  1. Which is which, this or that?
    Ambiguity and instability in images
  2. Picture this
    Landscapes, background and camouflage
  3. Delayed Telecasts
    After-effects in colour and black and white
  4. Ghost Busters
    Movement, colours and shapes that aren't really there
  5. Mission Impossible
    Impossible figures, 3D interpretations
  6. The Distorted Top Ten
    Mind-tricks with shapes, colours, sizes and patterns
  7. Far and Away
    Depth perception and judging distance
  8. Atten-shun!
    Visual organisation and the role of visual attention
  9. Word perfect
    Language illusions
  10. Taste Test
    Sensory illusions with the taste buds
  11. The Real Deal
    Taste and smell illusions
  12. Listen Up
    Sound illusions
  13. Hand Made Illusions
    Do illusions translate from one sense to another?
  14. Heavy, Man
    Power of past experience

Distractions
Ideas for new ways to use illusions

The WOW Factor
Facts to amaze your students and yourself

Further Information Resources

Illusions Activities
Questacon online illusions exhibits (using Shockwave)


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