The clues reference specific exhibits located within Edgerton Alley, with enumerations given to help find the correct word. The answers to the clues are as follows:
Showcase # 2 (7,3): DANCING DOTS University from which the football kicker hailed (4,5): OHIO STATE Jacques's ship upon which the you can find the Doc working (7): CALYPSO Method done by his student Vandiver (9) : SCHLIEREN The monster our professor sought (4,4,7) : LOCH NESS MONSTER Location where the Ping Pong game was played (6): ARMORY Company founded by Doc's student Sam (7): BENTHOS ?
Reading down the first letters spells DOCSLAB? Doc Edgerton's lab was the STROBE LAB which gives the answer STROBE