Bright Light

In this illuminating exploration of light and color, students make exciting discoveries as they experiment with lasers, diffraction glasses, and giant water prisms. Through real-life applications, the scientific concepts of refraction, diffraction, and reflection are illustrated with engaging educational activities related to spectrum analysis and the electromagnetic spectrum.

Layered Experience: Pairs well with Harmonies in Color (Art Exhibition Guided Tour or Exploration), Seeing!, and Cosmic Colors: An Adventure Along the Spectrum (Planetarium Shows).

Circuit Circus

Students become energized as they form a human circuit, experiment with conductors and insulators, and construct various types of circuits. Scientific investigation, problem solving, and cooperative learning engage students in this electrifying educational experience!

Engineering: Simple Machines

As they cooperatively problem-solve in groups, young engineers will investigate the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of objects while building various machines. Exciting hands-on challenges will focus on Newton’s Laws of Motion and the Law of Conservation of Energy. Activities will illustrate the relevance of engineering in daily life as students design and build together.

Layered Experience: Pairs well with Dream Big: Engineering Our World and Secrets of Gravity: In the Footsteps of Albert Einstein (Planetarium Shows).

Geometry & Quilts

Through hands-on activities, students will recognize the real-world connections between mathematics and the craft of quilting. Students are introduced to traditional patchwork quilts and participate in art-making that supports geometry standards while reinforcing mathematical understanding.

Updated for 2019-2020!

Journaling: Learning to Look & Looking to Write

As students explore the art in the current exhibition, they are encouraged to look closely and reflect on what they see. Creative writing activities take place in the gallery, using the art on view for inspiration. These activities will sharpen observation skills as students respond to art through writing while exploring opportunities for collaboration and personal reflection. Includes tour of the art exhibition on view.

Marbles, Motion, & Magnets

In this STEAM-focused learning experience, students will investigate matter and its interactions with force and motion. While creating art, participants will explore Newton’s Laws of Motion and the concept of magnetism.

Layered Experience: Pairs well with Dream Big: Engineering Our World and Secrets of Gravity: In the Footsteps of Albert Einstein (Planetarium Shows).

NEW for 2019-2020!

Mystery Crime Lab

Junior Forensic Scientists investigate and analyze the evidence at a staged crime scene to solve a mystery. Students experiment with blood typing; chromatography; fingerprinting; and other interdisciplinary, hands-on activities. This class requires the participation of at least six chaperones willing to serve as “forensic assistants.”

Layered Experience: Pairs well with Ancient Egypt Gallery (Guided Tour or Exploration) and Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs (Planetarium Show).