Demonstrations & Labs

Laugh, think and learn as gallery educators present entertaining science demonstrations. Demonstrations are available on a rotating seasonal basis. For further information, please contact Gallery Education at (804) 864-1463.

Demonstrations

As the Stomach Churns
Become part of the digestive tract and find out what happens to food after you eat it!

The Method to Our Madness
How do scientists solve problems? Use this method to investigate your own challenge.

You Make Me Sick!
How does your body fight infection? Become part of the immune system and find out.

Under Pressure
Crush a can using only air. Experiment in the ocean of air that surrounds us.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Witness objects fly, drop, race and shoot - all in the name of physics.

Tools or Toys?
Make child's play of the physics of inclined planes, levers, wedges and pulleys.

When Lightning Strikes
Make your hair stand on end and watch a tree get struck by a million volt lightning bolt.

Super Cool
Find out about the science of cryogenics and discover how liquid nitrogen is used to change the nature of solids, liquids and gases.

Tesla Coil
This electrifying device makes loud crackling sparks that can reach 750,000 volts or more.

Bull's Eye!
Take a closer look at the structure of a cow's eye and examine the parts that make up the eye.

Bull's Eye! is made possible by

Illusions, Magic and Science
Seeing is believing ... or is it? You won't believe your eyes in this entertaining demonstration.

Carts

At various times during the day gallery educators present 5- to 10-minute hands-on activities in the BioLabs and exhibit galleries. At least one lab is open from 10 am to 4 pm each day. Recommended maximum group size for activities in the labs is 10 to 15 visitors at a time.

Aerospace Cart (Level One)
Construct and take home a ring glider or make balloon-powered "rocket" sleds. Aerospace Cart activities connect with forces of flight and Newton's third law of motion presented in the Aerospace Gallery

Bones (Rotunda)
Can you name the major bones in the human body? We'll help you by using hands-on exhibits and props. We'll identify animal skulls, examine actual MRI and CT scans and learn how scientists use radioactive carbon dating to determine the age of artifacts, including bones, less than 60,000 years old

Depth Perception (Lab 3)
Learn about the physiological and psychological cues the eye/brain system uses to perceive depth and three-dimensionality.

Dinosaur Cart (Lab 1)
Guided by a museum educator, study fossils and models and discuss how different types of fossils help paleontologists formulate theories on how dinosaurs lived and died.

Endangered Species (Lab 1)
What species are threatened or endangered? How do human interactions and natural circumstances affect the longevity and existence of an entire species? Find out in this activity, which includes a close-up look at endangered species artifacts on loan from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Insects, Arachnids and Arthropods (Lab 2)
Insects are the largest, most diverse group of organisms on the planet. Peek into some of the variety of arthropods, which includes arachnids and insects.

Light and Color (Lab 3)
Investigate the properties of light and the basics of color optics utilizing white and laser light sources, a prism, various lenses, water, colored panels and crayons/color wheels.

Magnets (Level One)
Learn about magnetic forces and fields, materials that are magnetic and the relationship between magnets and electricity.

Materials Matter (Lab 1)
Observe and learn about the unique chemical and physical properties of cutting-edge materials, including Nitinol, a shape memory alloy. (These activities are sponsored by Penn State University, the Franklin Institute Science Museum and the National Science Foundation.)

Microgravity Drop Tower (Space Gallery, Level One)
How do astronauts in training experience the effects of near-zero gravity See how repelling magnets behave in a free-fall environment.

Quake Cart (Level One)
Explore continental drift and plate tectonics, types of faults and how scientists locate the epicenter of a quake.

Simple Machines (Lab 3)
Perform hands-on activities using inclined planes, levers, wedges and pulleys to demonstrate the scientific concept of work (W=F×d) and how simple machines make work easier. (This activity can also be done as a demonstration.)

Snakes (Lab 2)
Meet our snakes and other reptiles and amphibians as you explore the science of organizing the diversity of nature. How does genetics affect corn snakes' coloration? How can two members of the same species have variations in their genetic makeup?

Sound Cart (Lab 1)
Use tuning forks, hollow tubes and crystal goblets to explore sound waves and their unique properties.

Static Electricity (Level One)
It's a hair-raising experience as a gallery educator leads you through the basics of static electricity using our Van de Graaff generator. Topics include the interactions of charged particles, conductors, insulators, lightning and thunder, and some basic electrical safety rules. This activity can also be done as a demonstration under the title When Lightning Strikes.

Water (Level One)
Explore the surface-tension properties of water.

Worms (Lab 2)
This activity describes worms' relationships within their ecosystem and with other organisms in that ecosystem. Explore worm anatomy and physiology.

Rat Basketball (Lab 1)
Discover operant conditioning and basic theories of learning as you watch two rats play basketball. Explore the natural history of rats.