Prepare to have your mind blown in the Magic of Science — our largest section with over 35 hands-on exhibits! Watch your hair stand on end at the Van de Graaff Generator, explore electromagnetism, and discover acoustics and optics through experiments you can touch, feel, and control.
Every activity in this section, with what to expect before you go.
Touch this classic generator and watch your hair stand on end as static electricity builds up. One of the most popular photo moments in the museum.
Interactive panels visualize invisible magnetic fields using iron filings and coils. See forces in action that you normally can't see at all.
Place your hand on the glowing plasma globe and watch electric filaments follow your touch. A mesmerizing look at ionized gas in motion.
Speak, sing, or shout into these giant tubes and hear how sound waves travel and echo. A fun, noisy exploration of acoustics.
A collection of mirrors and patterns that trick your brain into seeing things that aren't really there. Great for testing how your eyes and mind work together.
Watch a floating ball defy gravity, suspended by nothing but a stream of air. A simple, striking demonstration of fluid dynamics.
Drop a magnet through a copper coil and generate a tiny electric current right in front of you. A hands-on look at how generators work.
A larger-than-life version of the classic desk toy shows the conservation of momentum on a dramatic scale. Swing it and watch the energy transfer down the line.
Rows of swinging pendulums fall in and out of sync to create hypnotic wave patterns. A beautiful, ever-changing display of timing and motion.
Rub, roll, and zap your way through hands-on experiments that reveal the everyday science of static charge. Expect a few surprising sparks.
Combine colored lights and filters to discover how mixing light differs from mixing paint. A colorful, interactive lesson in optics.
Navigate a maze of angled mirrors while learning how light bounces and reflects. Equal parts puzzle and physics lesson.
Grab a ticket and step inside — this section is waiting for you.
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