Goodyear delivered an 8,000-pound, nearly 12-foot tall tire to MiaSci today for the upcoming Fuels of the Future exhibit. Tires such as these are generally used on large trucks that mine tar sands, a material that contains oil. The tire will be on display in the exhibit as an engineering marvel and a symbol of the extremes we go to for oil.

Debuting in July 2010, Fuels of the Future addresses one of the key issues behind climate change, transportation, by exploring alternatives to today’s gasoline powered vehicles. The exhibit will also feature a solar-powered car, an air-powered car, digital media and hands-on activities. Visitors will even have the chance to build and test their own solar- and air-powered cars out of Legos!

Fuels of the Future is the latest component of MiaSci’s Energy Tracker exhibition, which includes the existing Energy Dance Floor, and the Human Yo-Yo and Giant Lever in the Energy Garden. The Energy Tracker is part of MiaSci’s ongoing efforts to prototype new ways to deliver content about alternative energy sources, in support of the new Museum slated to open in 2014.

Stop by MiaSci to check out the Giant Tire and the rest of the Energy Tracker exhibit soon!