100 Days of Science-- #60 Hartford Science Museum Trip
We took a trip to one of the local science museum's last week. We had plans to meet up with a few of our friends and they had to back out at the last minute. My boys and I debated just staying home too but ultimately decided we'd rather have a fun day of hand son learning than dragging out our books.
We had such a great time! While much of the museum was the same exhibits we've seen over and over again through the years we are drawn to different things each time we go. There were a few totally brand new exhibits we hadn't seen before and a travel exhibit about bodies.
The boys had fun learning about electricity and both the cost and power it takes to use various types of light bulbs.
They tried to build earthquake proof buildings.
And learned about how pulleys (both the number and type) make lifting loads easier
They all agreed the single pulley was practically impossible.
We learned about genetic traits that make all of us unique... My boys mapping looks totally different since they all have dimples and can roll their tongues.
We played around with making a hot air balloon float and after just two tries got it to fly all the way to the top.
We walked very quickly through the bodies exhibit (I don't think Evan saw one single thing as he kept his head buried in my shoulder the whole time; they get their squeamishness from me). While I am not good with blood, guts, and the workings of the human body I knew we just could not pass this opportunity by.
With our biology lesson out of the way for the day we turned to astronomy. We watched a movie about finding water and evidence of water on Mars. Worked with an interactive display that showed pictures of land formations and tried to determine if the picture was taken on Mars or on Earth. We all really enjoyed this interactive display about how much a soup can would weigh on each planet!
At this table the boys could look at various points in space using infrared light, gamma rays, microwaves, etc.
The boys launched rockets using "fuel" to see which one would go higher and why.
We learned about the various properties of rocks and how the different kinds are used in building.
They had a great time in the sound lab. Playing with vibration, a laser harp, and a studio sound booth.
They tried making specific shapes using Tangrams
And learned about clouds and weather.
It was a wonderful morning filled with science discoveries!
Others in this series:
53. Iodine and Starch Experiment
54. Flouride and Calcium Experiment
55. Botanical Gardens in Winter
56. Making Cell Models
57. Which Has More Water; Ice or Snow?
58. Exploding Snow and Water Baggies
59. Exploring Minerals
We had such a great time! While much of the museum was the same exhibits we've seen over and over again through the years we are drawn to different things each time we go. There were a few totally brand new exhibits we hadn't seen before and a travel exhibit about bodies.
They tried to build earthquake proof buildings.
And learned about how pulleys (both the number and type) make lifting loads easier
 |
| Three pulleys made for the easiest! |
 |
| Ian offers to lend a hand |
 |
| Two pulleys are harder |
We learned about genetic traits that make all of us unique... My boys mapping looks totally different since they all have dimples and can roll their tongues.
We played around with making a hot air balloon float and after just two tries got it to fly all the way to the top.
We walked very quickly through the bodies exhibit (I don't think Evan saw one single thing as he kept his head buried in my shoulder the whole time; they get their squeamishness from me). While I am not good with blood, guts, and the workings of the human body I knew we just could not pass this opportunity by.
 |
| I did find the pattern of our blood and veins to be fascinating |
 |
| I did get Evan to look at this one display and he agreed that it wasn't "gross" |
With our biology lesson out of the way for the day we turned to astronomy. We watched a movie about finding water and evidence of water on Mars. Worked with an interactive display that showed pictures of land formations and tried to determine if the picture was taken on Mars or on Earth. We all really enjoyed this interactive display about how much a soup can would weigh on each planet!
At this table the boys could look at various points in space using infrared light, gamma rays, microwaves, etc.
The boys launched rockets using "fuel" to see which one would go higher and why.
We learned about the various properties of rocks and how the different kinds are used in building.
They had a great time in the sound lab. Playing with vibration, a laser harp, and a studio sound booth.
 |
| They recorded their voices and adjusted the pitch |
And learned about clouds and weather.
It was a wonderful morning filled with science discoveries!
15 & 16. Two Experiments using SNOW
20. Eco Plant pals
33. Raising Tadpoles
43. Volcanic Lemons
47 & 48. Building Model Molecules Two Ways
54. Flouride and Calcium Experiment
55. Botanical Gardens in Winter
56. Making Cell Models
57. Which Has More Water; Ice or Snow?
58. Exploding Snow and Water Baggies
59. Exploring Minerals
Looks like a great trip! Are you in Connecticut? I am and I've never been to the Science Center in Hartford!
ReplyDeleteYes, we live about an hour or so away from the museum. We've been a few times and it's a lot of fun.
DeleteWhat a great museum!
ReplyDeleteIt is really neat.
DeleteLooks like a fabulous place, full of great things to explore and to do! Pinning to my Homeschooling Board on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope your week is going well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pin!
DeleteLove when a museum is hands on. And it looks as if you went there on a day when it was not too crowded!
ReplyDeleteWe love hands on museums too. It was a bit crowded but most of the school groups were only confined to two areas so we could easily work around them.
Delete