Museum of Science (Boston) - Other Attractions

Other Attractions

• The Museum's Theater of Electricity contains the world's largest Van de Graaff generator, designed by Dr. Robert J. Van de Graaff himself and donated by MIT in 1956.
• The Current Science & Technology Center's live presentations are in a constant state of development, keeping up with the cutting edge of science & technology news, and offering several very informative and interesting "Updates in Science & Technology" presentations every day. CS&T presentations are also often aired on New England Cable News (NECN). A CS&T podcast is also available for updates on-the-go.
• The Museum has developed a to-scale community solar system model that spans as far as the Riverside MBTA station (in Newton, Massachusetts). The models of the Sun, Mercury and Venus are located on the Museum grounds.
• The Museum of Science built and designed its own film-based exhibit, entitled Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. It was on display there from October 2005 to April 2006. The exhibit is now traveling.
• The MIT Daedalus human-powered aircraft hangs in the entry lobby of the museum as does Decavitator, MIT's human-powered high-speed boat.
• Design Challenges, a hands on engineering program, offers different activities, depending on the day, that deal with solving a variety of problems.
• The Discovery Center (http://mos.org/discoverycenter) offers parents the opportunity to talk with cognitive scientists, for kids to participate in experiments, and everyone to learn through inquiry and play.
• Construction began on a rooftop Wind Turbine Lab in 2009. The Lab will test nine wind turbines from five different manufacturers on the roof of the Museum. An exhibit in the Blue Wing, Catching the Wind, includes a live data stream on how much electricity each turbine is producing.
• Across from the Museum's gift shop lies a 24-hour Foucault pendulum.
• The museum offers a "Camp-In" program to students in grades 1-7 allowing them to spend a night at the museum.
• There is a simulator ride near the musical stairs.