Super Cool Labs and Demonstrations

Laugh and learn as gallery educators present science labs and demonstrations. For more information, please contact Gallery Education at (804) 864-1463.

To find out how you can reserve science labs and demonstrations for your group, including 30 minute Labs for students in grades 1 - 6 and Wonderplace Lab for scientists aged 4–second grade, see pages 7–11 in our Field Trip Guide.

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EcoLab
Located on Level Two
Have you ever looked into the water and wondered what’s below the surface? Explore life underwater as the scientists do. Observe magnified samples of aquatic invertebrates. You’ll get your hands wet with your own water sample and you will separate invertebrates from leaf debris, and then use a microscope to identify them. After identification, you will be able to determine if they came from a forest stream or an urban one. Finally, you’ll be an ecologist in a virtual stream wearing hip waders, holding binoculars, nets and more. Once you’ve completed your expedition, you’ll be awarded your Junior Ecologist button.

EcoLab is generously funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Rat Basketball Labs
Our science labs are located on Level Two.

Rat Basketball in Lab 1
Learn about operant and classical conditioning theories of learning as you watch two rats play basketball.

Live Animals in Lab 2
Insects, Arachnids and Arthropod. Insects are the largest, most diverse group of organisms on the planet. Peek into some of the variety of arthropods.
Snakes. Meet our snakes and other reptiles and amphibians as you explore the science of organizing the diversity of nature.

Radical Reactions in Lab 4 (Check with Guest Services for schedule)
Colorful flames, a foam fountain, a rainbow in a tube ... see chemistry at its coolest! This demonstration highlights some impressive chemical reactions.
Bull's Eye! Cow Eye Dissection Demonstration Stage
Look for these exciting presentations on the Demonstration Stage on Level One. Check with Guest Services for daily schedule.

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. Learn how scientists conduct experiments.

Under Pressure. Crush a can using only air and other demonstrations on how changing air pressure affects all phases of matter.

Force and Motion. Witness objects fly, drop, race and shoot - all in the name of physics and Sir Isaac Newton’s three Laws of Motion.

Super Cool. Discover how liquid nitrogen is used to change the nature of solids, liquids and gases.

Tesla Coil. Learn about scientist Nikola Tesla and witness an electrifying device sending loud crackling bolts of lightning of 750,000 volts or more.

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

Bull's Eye! Cow Eye Dissection. Take a closer look at the structure and parts of a cow's eye.
Static Electricity Demonstration Carts
Gallery educators present 5- to 10-minute hands-on activities in the exhibit galleries. Recommended maximum group size for cart activities is 10 to 15 visitors at a time.

Aerospace. 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. Can you name the major bones in the human body? We'll help you by using exhibits and props. Identify animal skulls and examine actual MRI and CT scans.

Chemistry Cart. Learn about the chemical property of pH. Use red cabbage juice as an indicator to determine whether some household products are acids or bases.

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

Dinosaurs-Fossils. Guided by a educator, study fossils and models and discuss how different types of fossils help paleontologists formulate theories on how dinosaurs lived and died.

Endangered Species. What species are threatened or endangered? Find out in this activity, which includes a look at endangered species artifacts on loan from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Light and Color. 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 color wheels.

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

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

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

Static Electricity. It's a hair-raising experience as a gallery educator leads you through the basics of static electricity using our Van de Graaff generator.

Water. Explore the surface-tension properties of water.

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