Through September 23
Take an in-depth look at the insides of the human body! Featuring 12 actual human bodies that have been preserved through the process of plastination
This exhibit is recommended for adults and children 8 or older. Body Worlds tickets are $14 for ages 4-12 and 60+ and $15 for ages 13-59. Tickets for members are $7.50. Audio tours may be purchased for an additional fee at the gallery entrance. Audio tour tickets are $5 for adults and $3.50 members, seniors, youth and groups. Click here for more details or to order tickets.
Running the Numbers: An American Self Portrait by Chris Jordan
Through October 14
Discover artist Chris Jordan’s visual representations of societal statistics using repetitive images to connect to you each number. His image of 28,000 oil barrels depicts the amount of oil consumed in the United States every two minutes and his image of one hundred million toothpicks equates with the number of trees cut in the U.S. each year to make paper for junk mail. Recommended for sixth grade and above. Included with Museum admission.
Through October 7
Use real tools, materials, machines and processes of manufacturing in this interactive exhibition inspired by the factory tour segments from the “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” television series. Explore the four manufacturing processes of cutting, molding, deforming and reassembling in a fun and safe manner. Included with Museum admission.
Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World
Saturday, October 13-Friday, January 4
Take a journey through a motley crew of legendary guitars in our latest exhibition as you explore the history of the world's most recognized musical instrument. Immerse yourself in diverse genres of music and discover the science of pitch and tone. Crossing over cultural boundaries, the guitar has made a significant impact on a wide variety of groups from gypsies to cowboys to teenage rebels. Examine more than 60 guitars and nearly 100 historical artifacts that immerse you in the heart of music. Experience the rush of the world's most recognized musical instrument through the powerful lens of science. You, too, can play a Guinness Record-breaking 43.5 foot long guitar! Included with Museum admission.
VISITING Art EXHIBITS
Bitten by the Bug
Monday, August 20-Sunday, November 25
Check out this art gallery that has a father and son connection as well as an art and science connection! Chris Semtner paints wonderful bugs. No doubt his fascination grew as he watched his father, entomologist and Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont AREC Professor Emeritus Paul Semtner, work at this profession and love. Bitten by the Bug features Semtner’s bug paintings and specimens and tools of the trade supplied by his father. And yes, if you recognize Chris Semtner’s name, he is Director of the Poe Museum. Included with Museum admission.
Element 29
Monday, August 20-Sunday, November 25
Peruse Kim Eubank’s unique copper works called metal quilts. She uses an enameling technique to create various colors and she etches some pieces as well to add texture and depth to her pieces. On the periodic table the 29th element is copper. Element 29 is located in the café. Photo ©Taylor Dabney.
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.
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.
GRAVITY ALLEY
Explore Newton's laws, gravity, momentum, potential and kinetic energy.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
