Lawrence Hall of Science - Permanent Exhibits

Permanent Exhibits

• Science on a Sphere – interactive globe displaying real scientific data from Earth. Scientific data displayed on the globe includes Earth's weather patterns, ocean temperatures and currents, climate change, day and night views of the Earth, and tsunami and hurricane patterns. Science on a Sphere was developed by researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• Forces That Shape the Bay – outdoor science park, which explores the seismological forces that created and still affect the entire San Francisco Bay area.
• Sunstones – a 18 foot granite astronomical sculpture, created by David Cudaback and Richard O’Hanlon and installed outside the Hall in 1979. Sight lines in the piece allow visitors to view northern- and southern-most setting of the sun at the solstices and many other important astronomical events.
• Nano – an exhibit examining the field of nanotechnology. The Nanozone introduces nanotechnology researchers from UC Berkeley and across the country, the latest consumer products made with nanotechnology, and computer games and hands-on activity stations that demonstrate how things work at the nanoscale.
• KidsLab – a multi-sensory play area for children in kindergarten and younger. Activities include large blocks and shapes to stack and build, a crawl-through kaleidoscope, the Gravity Wall, a puppet theater, and a reading area.
• Earnest O. Lawrence Memorial – devoted to the life and research of Ernest O. Lawrence. This exhibit features a biographical film on Lawrence's life and a pair of "Dee" electrodes from one of the first cyclotrons.
• A seismograph connected to UC Berkeley’s Seismographic Station, that registers earthquakes occurring anywhere in the world.
• Insect Zoo – See hermit crabs, Indian walking sticks, a tarantula, and hissing cockroaches.
• The Animal Discovery Room – where children learn about animals. Many homeschool and other classes are held in the Animal Discovery Room and provide the opportunity for children to observe and interact with animals.
• Ingenuity Lab – This engineering lab offers a different challenge each month that allows kids to think critically and explore real world engineering problems.
• Math Around the World – an exhibit featuring math games played around the world. Popular games include Hex, Kalah, Game Sticks and Shongo Networks.
• Pheena the Fin Whale – a life sized model of a Fin whale residing on the plaza.
• A larger-than-life DNA sculpture on the plaza is another favorite place for young visitors to play. This sculpture was designed by Michael Jantzen of Valencia, California. It was put in place in the spring of 1992.