Experience the latest addition to the Science Museum–the hands-on invention space Spark!Lab, developed by the Smithsonian–and take part in a variety of STEM (Science, technology, Engineering, and Math) activities. Free with museum admission!
Downtown Traffic Advisory – January 16-19
Today’s Activities
Spark!Lab, 10:30 am-4 pm
Explore this new, dynamic learning space where children, families, and groups create, innovate, collaborate, problem-solve, and invent.
Life Saver Lightning, 11 am-3 pm
Can you make a spearmint lifesaver create sparks by chomping on it? What is triboluminescence and why does this work? Bite into a mint of your own and learn how this produces electricity you can see.
Meet an Electrical Engineer, 11 am-3 pm
Research and development professional Michelle George, M. Eng., will demonstrate how Arduinos (an open-source electronics platform) and breadboards (a construction base for prototyping of electronics) can be used, as well as explaining how different electrical parts work together. Examples may include transistors, conductors, resistors, and more!
Exploring the Universe: Static Electricity, 11 am-3 pm
Build an electroscope—a simplified version of one of the tools scientists use to study the invisible forces on Earth and in space. Learn how static electricity works, how scientists can use it to study space, and how it sometimes presents challenges to tools and spacecraft.
Solar Lab 1.0, 11 am-3 pm
With the help of our friendly museum educators, use a solar electricity kit to learn how solar power is collected and use the kit to make a solar project.
Center for EcoTechnology, 11 am-3 pm
How much energy does it take to light up an incandescent light bulb? How about an LED bulb? Try the Center for EcoTechology’s hand crank to find out The Center for EcoTechnology helps people and businesses save energy and reduce waste.
Electricity Demonstrations, 12 pm & 2 pm
What’s the different between static and current electricity? How can humans see and use different types of electricity? Come to this demonstration that will include an Energy Stick everyone lights up together, and a Van de Graff generator!
