EXHIBITS

The Science Museum of Virginia has hundreds of hands-on experiences to amaze and inspire you! Along with fun ways to explore science, our exhibits provide many ways of meeting the Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic strands in the Virginia Standards of Learning.

Located on Level One:
FOUCAULT PENDULUM
Located in the Rotunda the Foucault Pendulum illustrates the Earth's rotation.

SCIENCE ON A SPHERE®
Animated images of atmospheric storms, climate change and ocean temperature are shown on the sphere, illuminating sometimes complex environmental processes in a captivating way.

GRAVITY ALLEY
Explore Newton's laws, gravity, momentum, potential and kinetic energy. Test your balance skills on a Segway®.

ELECTRIWORKS
Investigate and explore key concepts of electricity. Make electricity arc through the air, use your voice to make a laser beam dance and generate electricity. Discover the principles behind a simple working motor. Plus, peddle a stationary bicycle and see how much energy you can generate.

OUT OF THIS WORLD
Investigate the amazing properties of aluminum-lithium alloy while experimenting with its strength and stability. Assemble part of the International Space Station.

LIGHT AND VISION
Experiment with lenses, mirrors, prisms and light. Plus experience interactive illusions that play with your perceptions.

Located on Level Two:
JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE
Explore cells and DNA. Find out about the Human Genome Project. Enter the Science Sleuth Theater to try crime solving. Enter My Size Gallery, which features multi-sensory explorations of human biology and health science. Activate a kinetic sculpture using your own pulse.

Located on the Track Level:
WATT WALL
Take a a real time look at the world’s energy consumption, alternative energy sources and new developments that will power your home in the future.

SCIENCE UNPLUGGED
Get ready to step back in time while testing basic science principles of engineering and physics. Can you design and build a structure that can withstand an earthquake? Experiment with tops, bubbles and bursts of air. Get a mechanical advantage using pulleys, gears and other labor saving devices.

IMAGINATION PLAYGROUND
Imagination Playground offers a changing array of elements that allows children to constantly reconfigure their environment and to design their own course of play. Giant foam blocks, mats, wagons, fabric and crates overflow with creative potential for children to play, dream, build and explore endless possibilities.

 

Located Outside:
THE KUGELS
The Earth and Moon sculptures represent a scale of approximately 1 foot to 1,000 miles. A  jet of water set at 33.81 pounds per square inch (that’s less pressure than in your faucet at home) causes the 29-ton Earth Kugel to tilt and rotate.

REYNOLDS ALUMINAUT
In 1964, Reynolds Metals Company launched an extraordinary creation - the Aluminaut,the world's first aluminum submarine. During its career, the Aluminaut set a world record for the deepest dive by a submarine.