LIVE SCIENCE: NO MATTER WHEN YOU VISIT!
Science is about doing – seeing concepts unveil themselves right in front of you. Every day, throughout the Connecticut Science Center, Live Gallery Science programs will offer activities, demonstrations, group challenges, and one-on-one investigations to help you uncover deeper aspects behind our exhibits and shows. You'll make observations, conduct experiments, ask questions, and make predictions just like a scientist. The programs are lead by our Gallery Scientists Best of all: these programs are FREE with admission. Each day’s programs are different. Look for these and other programs Tuesday – Friday between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; and Saturday and Sunday between 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
The programs are lead by our Gallery Scientists. These folks live, breathe and eat science day and night. They're experts in astronomy, physics, biology, chemistry, geology, meteorology, health, genetics, robotics, green energy and more. But the best part is, the programs they run are FREE with admission.
Invention Dimension
LEGO Imagination Zone
See the creative side of science and start “thinking outside the box.” Deconstruct the latest gadgets to see how they work, build and test bridges and skyscrapers, and construct simple machines. Play with robots and explore new technologies.
River of Life
Wet Lab
Learn about the fascinating wildlife, aquatic organisms, and plants of the Connecticut River and surrounding watershed. Conduct water quality experiments to learn about how the health of our river affects each of us. Help with fish feedings and take a dive into the behind the scenes of our tanks!
Planet Earth
Climate Change Show
A rubber-booted, informed sheep discusses the Earth’s formation millions of years ago and how global gasses were distributed to allow life to form. Fast forwarding to the present, the sheep talks to us about our current lifestyle and how it impacts the entire planet. Seating is first come – first serve and is limited to 30. Show is 22 minutes in length and appropriate for ages 7 and up. Showing daily.
Live Weather Broadcasts
See an actual weather broadcast by a WSFB Channel 3 Meteorologist from the WSFB Weather Studio located in the Planet Earth Gallery each weekday, Tuesday – Friday, between 12:00 – 12:30 on Level 6 North in the Planet Earth Gallery. Note: The WSFB Weather Studio is off-line between 11:45 – 12:45 as an exhibit so that the Channel 3 Meteorologists can broadcast the live weather.
Earthquakes and Faulting in Connecticut - An i4 Initiative
From the 1500’s to the present, over 1200 earthquakes have rocked New England; 137 of these originated in the subsurface of Connecticut. Detect earthquakes and tremors right here at the Science Center with our seismometer. Watch an earthquake unfold, analyze data, determine distance and intensity, and more.
Sediment Science - An i4 Initiative
Simulate the experience of a real geologist by trying your hand at core sampling. Uncover the evidence of millions of years of geologic processes that have created the layers of sediment that lie beneath us today, and in turn, created the beautiful patterns that we see in canyons across the globe. Learn what the size of the particles in the dirt underneath our feet and at the bottom of our rivers tells us about how it got there and where it came from.
Smart Energy
It’s Electric
A hair-raising show about electricity. Explore the ways electricity affects everything around us and investigate alternative sources of energy.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
There is more to “saving” the planet then just recycling. Learn more about waste and waste management so you can become a key player in making our world a safe and healthy place. Watch us make ordinary styrofoam disappear right before your eyes. Magic? No, it is science.
Picture of Health & Sports Lab
Simulating the Human Body - An i4 Initiative
Simulation is creating an experience as close to real life as possible. Nursing utilizes simulation through state-of-the-art mannequins with body functions similar to those of humans. Come experience this for yourself. Learn about the workings of your body: touch, feel, hear, and see body conditions as you take blood pressure readings, count respirations, measure pulse rate, learn about CPR and more. Don’t worry, our mannequin won’t feel a thing!
Do Gummy Bears Have the Right Stuff?
Explore how your body turns food into energy – with a big bang!
Don’t Catch Cooties
Are your hands really clean? Are you sure? See if your hand-washing passes our glowing test and explore how quickly germs can get passed around.
Iron Breakfast
Iron is used in steel but is also used in our bodies. Explore iron rich foods and even extract iron from your breakfast cereal.
Forces in Motion
Nano! Technology Where Size Matters!
Nanotechnology is quickly becoming part of our daily lives. Learn about the world of nanotech, what it is, where it can be found, and what it could mean for us.
Wind Tunnel Testing!
Use our Wind Tunnel Testing Chamber to explore why airplanes fly and the forces that air has on objects. Measure force, pressure and study flow patterns. Make and test your own airplanes and airfoils. You’ll soon discover that humans we’re indeed meant to fly!