Rat Basketball

Come meet our players and learn all about operant and classical conditioning as you watch two rats learn to play basketball – no, we aren’t kidding. Check our daily schedule for demonstrations occurring during your visit.

The Science Museum uses classical and operant conditioning to train the rat players.

• Classical conditioning is teaching the rats to respond to the buzzer used in training. The buzzer sounds when the rat has done something correct.
• Operant conditioning is rewarding the rats for taking the correct action – during the game they get a treat for each basket.

About Live Demonstrations

Demonstrations are explorations where participants watch and engage with a Science Museum educator who showcases amazing scientific experiments to guests.