Louisiana Art And Science Museum
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
From art to ancient Egypt to the solar system, the Louisiana Art and Science Museum encourages discovery and inspires creativity. | Photo courtesy Visit Baton Rouge
If you flew to Mars, how much would you weigh there? For an answer, check the scale at the Solar System Gallery of the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. Go back in time to Egypt in an exhibit with an ancient tomb replica that houses an authentic mummy. Located in a renovated 1925 railway station next to the Mississippi River, the state-of-the-art museum presents laser music shows in its 60-foot-high domed Irene W. Pennington Planetarium. Believing that art and science shape each other, the museum presents a growing collection of American, European, and modern artmany by Louisiana artists.
Center Of Science And Industry
Columbus, Ohio
The Center of Science and Industry is one of the largest modern-built science centers in the United States. Parents Magazine named COSI the number one science center in the country in 2008.
The center focuses on health and medicine, energy and environment, technology and innovation, and Early Childhood Education.
Exhibits at COSI involve exploring technology through time, tinkering with gadgets, researching in laboratories, traveling through space and more. This museum also includes a childrens museum that offers workshops for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Educational programs offer trips to your own school, camp-ins, field trips, afterschool workshops, interactive videoconferencing, and science career exploration.
Best Science Centers In The United States
Families in metro Detroit have several options when it comes to engaging museums and science centers right in our own backyards. But if your budding scientist wants more, you might consider a trip beyond our state borders.
In 2013, the American MENSA an organization of people who have scored in the top two percent of the general population on an IQ test compiled a list of 30 of the best science museums in America based on reputation and patronage. Then they asked a group of Mensan educators and scientists to choose the 10 best science centers in the USA. According to American MENSA, the list was a one-time ranking but the topic may be revisited in the future.
Here, well list those top 10 along with a brief description of each and how you can learn more. If youre planning a trip, be sure to check any current museum memberships you have to find out if they have reciprocal agreements with the centers you have in mind.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some museums and science centers may be temporarily closed and some activities may be canceled. Those that are open may enforce face mask and social distancing measures. Check before you head out.
- Address: Independence Avenue at Sixth Street, SW, Washington DC
- Phone: 202-633-2214
- Address: 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Phone: 215-299-1000
- Address: 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois
- Phone: 773-684-1414
- Address: 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, California
- Phone: 415-379-8000
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The Franklin Institute: Philadelphia Pa
Located in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute not only has 12 permanent exhibit galleries which teach kids about everything from electricity to the human body, but their special exhibitions are not to be missed. Weve seen the LEGO Art of the Brick exhibit there with our own kids recently, and now you can catch the very cool The Science Behind Pixar which gets kids excited about the science and technology used by Pixars computer scientists to help make the films your kids just might recognize.
Science Museum Of Minnesota
St. Pauls innovative museum is built into bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. The river flows just outside its windows and past ten acres of outdoor exhibits and programming space. Family favorites: nine holes of mini golf exploring changing landscapes, a Dinosaurs and Fossils Gallery , and hands-on activities in the Experiments Gallery.
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Kansas Cosmosphere And Space Center
Hutchinson, Kansas
The Hall of Space Museum is the only non NASA/NASM institution to display a flown spacecraft from each of the first three manned American space programs Mercury , Gemini and Apollo .
Attractions in the center include a digital dome theater, planetarium and a lab where guests can see live demonstrations of early rocket technology.
The museum features the German Gallery, Cold War Gallery, Mollet Early Space Flight Gallery, Apollo gallery, and the Hall of Space Timeline.
Educators can choose from a variety of packages with optional additional activities on the Comsosphere website.
Best Science Museums For Kids And Families
Do your kids love science? Lucky you! Here are some of the best science museums for kids and families that you can visit on your next family vacation. The cities that we cover in this post are Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington DC. If you live in one of those cities, or if youre heading there for your next family vacation, check out this handy guide of must-see destinations!
#1. Chicago: Museum of Science and Industry
Photo Credit: Annette Stahelin
Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is among the top 10 science museums in the US, according to Mensa. Its located in the beautiful Hyde Park neighborhood, just steps away from Lake Michigan and minutes from downtown Chicago.
Among the museums exhibits are a full-size replica coal mine, a German submarine U-505 that was captured during World War II, a 3,500-square-foot model railroad, and the Apollo 8 spacecraft that carried the first humans to orbit the Moon.
The museum offers plenty of interactive, hands-on learning opportunities for kids. Riding on the rails in the coal mine, kids can learn the technology of coal mining. At the Baby Chick Hatchery, they can discover the complex interplay between genes and environmental cues that produce new life. Kids can also learn about physics and chemistry of natural phenomena like tornados and avalanches, and experience the inner workings of the human body.
Phone: 684-1414
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National Air And Space Museum Washington Dc
national air and space museum, Washington dc
This Museum in the capital city of the US is an absolutely fantastic spot to learn and enjoy your time to the brim. If you are anticipating a cost-effective place and a way to spend your day, this is the right destination as it offers free admission to all visitors.
With over 60,000 plane and space objects and historic photographs and materials on display, the Museum is typical for some enlightening topics on the history of flight, astronomy, planetary science, and space travel. An example of the 190 wright flyer, the first successful flight in the world of a heavier-than-air powered flying machine, is among the objects you find here.
Visiting the Museum means you get a chance to explore some of the exhibits, live science demonstrations, interesting 3D movies at the IMAX Theater, and storytelling for kids under the age of eight. And if youre visiting on Fridays and Saturdays, make time to observe the lunar crater and phases of Venus at the Phoebe Waterman Haas public observatory.
City Of Science And Industry Paris
Visitors to Paris, France, might get so caught up visiting the Louvre and other acclaimed art museums that the City of Science and Industry may get overlooked. But its worth building in time for a visit to the museum which is instantly recognizable for its jaw-dropping geodesic dome, and houses an Imax Theater. Permanent exhibits invite you to explore the mystery of the human brain, astronomy and learn all about the technology of transportation. The City of Science and Industry also boasts a giant playground with interactive activities for children of every age. Its the biggest science museum in Europe, attracting more than 5 million visitors a year. Discover 10 of the worlds strangest food museums.
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California Academy Of Sciences
Located in the beautiful Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, our #8 museum, the California Academy of Sciences, offers a ton of science for the whole family. A dome enclosed 4-story rainforest seems to be the highlight for many, while a digital planetarium, aquarium and natural history museum within the museum round off the experience. The building itself is of note: the structure is one of the greenest museums on the planet boasting a 2 ½ acre living roof, solar canopy, water reclamation system and unique insulation made of recycled blue jeans.
Go green and save $3 on admission when you bike, walk or take public transportation!
Top Science Museums For Fun And Learning
08-04-2021
Todays science museums differ greatly from yesteryears, when displays were tightly enclosed in glass cases. Look but dont touch guidelines have gone the way of dinosaurs, which now populate museums in roaring animatronic form. Visitors are encouraged to touch, explore, investigate, and interact with an ever-evolving array of high-tech exhibits
Designed to appeal to the whole family, these museums cover a wide range of interestsflights to outer space and the planets, weather, ecology, engineering, ancient fossils, and more. Perfect for visits any time of year, these learning adventures are particularly popular during summer, when school isnt in session. Spark your curiosity at this collection of museums that are as entertaining as they are educational.
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The Exploratorium: San Francisco California
The Exploratorium is one of the most interactive museums on the list. The Exploratorium isnt simply about learning or observing its a hands-on museum that requires its attendants to engage with exhibits, solve problems, and think for themselves.
The museum has several explore-for-yourself exhibits, art puzzles, and activities for visitors to interact with. Additionally, The Exploratorium hosts a number of after-dark events. Tactile Dome is a recurring exhibit that requires visitors to navigate their way through darkness by utilizing their other senses.
Other exhibits allow you to create miniature earthquakes by stomping your feet, examine chicken embryos, and explore the nature of shadows.
Denver Museum Of Nature And Science
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science features collections about space, zoology, earth sciences, health, and anthropology. It makes learning fun for children and adults with rotating exhibits devoted to subjects like the science of Pixar and extreme sports. There are classes and interactive activities for all ages, a planetarium, and an Imax theater. General admission tickets are priced at $19,95, youth are $13.95 and seniors are $15.95. There are also discounts for students, military, and SNAP recipients. There are also days the museum is free to all on select dates throughout the year. Next, here are the most visited cities around the world.
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Intrepid Sea Air + Space Museum: New York Ny
So you thought NYC science museums were just the American Museum of Natural History? While thats surely a favorite of ours, the Intrepid is like nothing else. Kids go nuts getting to hang out aboard a real aircraft carrier, then learn about 28 authentically restored planes and jets of all kinds, while exploring a real submarine. A highlight though is the Space Shuttle Pavilion featuring the Space Shuttle Enterprise, which, come on what kid wouldnt love that? Lots of opportunities for touching, clicking, steering here, including an XD theater experience, and a G-force simulator for older kids.
The Academy Of Natural Sciences In Philadelphia Is One Of The Oldest
Jon Voltaire B. Aquino/Wikimedia Commons
The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia founded in 1812 and forms part of Drexel University. This makes the museum the oldest museum of natural sciences in America’s.
It contains collections of over 17 million specimens including an incredibly impressive 13m tall complete T-Rex skeleton to greet you as you enter.
According to their website, “Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is a leading natural history museum dedicated to advancing research, education, and public engagement in biodiversity and environmental science.”
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Saint Louis Science Center
St. Louis
Engaging presentations are among the 700 interactive experiences at Saint Louis Science Center. | Photo courtesy Saint Louis Science Center
With a mission to ignite lifelong learning, the Saint Louis Science Center draws inquisitive visitors not only with its 700 interactive experiences but with its free admission. The indoor/outdoor GROW gallery shows the farm-to-plate food journey, and GameXploration features board, video, and virtual games that teach problem-solving skills. Watch fun science topics come to life on the Energy Stage dig up fossils in the Ecology and Environment area not far from a life-like Tyrannosaurus rex and explore engineering in the Structures Gallery, where you can build a Gateway Arch replica using foam blocks. Fees, however, are charged at the five-story OMNIMAX Theater and at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, connected via an enclosed pedestrian bridge over Interstate 64.
Childrens Museum Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
In addition to indoor science exhibits, the Childrens Museum of Indianapolis provides outdoor sports and fitness activities. | Photo courtesy the Childrens Museum of Indianapolis
You know youve reached the Childrens Museum of Indianapolis when you see a 50-foot-tall Brachiosaurus appearing to climb up the building. Exhibits in a host of galleries range from dinosaurs to a world of miniatures in the recently reimagined Mini Masterpieces gallery. In the International Space Station exhibit, guests immerse themselves in astronauts lives, and they can explore the stars in the Schaefer Planetarium and Space Object Theater. Visitors also can gaze up at a stunning 43-foot tower of glass by Dale Chihuly. The 7.5-acre Riley Childrens Health Sports Legends Experience draws visitors outside seasonally to enjoy activities involving soccer, hockey, basketball, and more. Return in spring 2022 to see the Dinosphere exhibit, which is undergoing a massive renovation.
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Art Science Museum Singapore
The Art Science Museum in Singapore prides itself on being a different kind of museum and it shows. The museum concentrates on the intersection of art and science, offering everything from late-night musical performances or a lively talk series to rotating exhibitions on the animation of Disney and the future of Singapore. Theyve even received a Webby Award for their film, Into the Wild. They also offer interactive workshops, school programs, and special events on family Fridays.
The Best Science Museums In The World
From the Natural History Museum in London to the Miraikan in Tokyo, these are 15 of the best science museums in the world.
Museums are cathedrals to science and understanding, but not all science museums are equal. Some simply excel in grandeur and the quality of their exhibits and exhibitions.
The following 15 prime examples are all well worth visiting if you happen to be in the vicinity in the future. This list is far from exhaustive and is no particular order.
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Science Museums & Attractions
- National Archaeological Museum: Athens, Greece featured in The Best Attractions in Athens, Greece
California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco, Calif. featured in San Francisco’s Top Attractions
Hopefully, youll get to meet Claude when you visit the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. He is a rare albino alligator that practically glows in the dim of his below-ground swamp habitat. Nearby, spanning four floors is a glass dome that houses the largest rainforest exhibit in the entire world, aflutter with tropical butterflies, birds and reptiles. Head up to the 2.5 acre living roof for views of the surrounding Golden Gate Park below, before you venture into outer space via the Morrison Planetarium. All this and more make for a very memorable day. Be sure to bring your kid to maximize the experiential fun. Amber Turpin
Museum of Science: Boston, Mass. featured in The Top Things to Do in Boston
- Discovery Science Center: Santa Ana, Calif. featured in Things to Do With Kids in Orange County
Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Pasadena, Calif. featured in Intellectual Los Angeles
Miraikan In Tokyo Has Robots Lots Of Robots
Miraikan in Tokyo, The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, is an ultra-modern look at the cutting edge of science and technology.
It has an absolute ton of robots on display including the famous Honda robot.
Unsurprisingly, most of the exhibits focus on Japanese innovation as well as Japan’s natural history.
This includes live measurements of the seismic activity of the country, weather patterns and ocean temperatures.
Sustainable development, the mysteries of the universe and genetics are also covered so theres something for everyone.
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Science Museums Around The World
Entering a world-class museum is like opening a doorway to another world. Your admission ticket is a passport to learning, culture, and most importantly, fun, setting both hearts and minds aglow in young and old visitors alike. While you cant check out these science museums in the world in person at the moment, many do offer virtual tours and programs, as do many of these most popular museums in the world.
St Louis Science Center St Louis Missouri
A Children’s Gallery Guide lists more than 50 super-fun things to do, but get your tickets for the Discovery Room before heading anywhere else. Kids ages 1 to 8 can try out magnets and gears, grind corn, and listen to their own heartbeat. Other exhibits include Makerspace, where kids can create an object and see if it flies or floats, and the Life Science Lab, which has daily dissections and a way your child can examine his fingerprints for DNA. Admission to most of the exhibits is free $4 per person for the Discovery Room and $6 for adults and $5 for kids for the planetarium.
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