Current Exhibits
First Floor
|
Space Command offers 30 interactive stations. Check out authentic space gear and practice completing a task “in space” while wearing bulky gloves in a vacuum chamber. Next, head to Remote Command to recover a lost unmanned space probe using techniques scientists use to manipulate exploration devices on planets. In Space Academy learn about the affects of gravity and even touch a five-billion-year-old chunk of meteorite. KidScience: Island of the Elements, exclusively for 5–8 year olds, introduces basic properties of air, water, earth and light. Discover energy and its effects as children board a ship, climb a lighthouse, power a real waterwheel and navigate mazes. The Train Factory invites students to experience a 19th century machine shop and ride a 350-ton steam locomotive built in 1926. Students will explore concepts such as steam, pressure, friction and electric and magnetic force, and use observational skills, making and testing hypotheses. |
Second Floor
|
The Franklin Air Show is an indoor carnival with games and contests demonstrating properties of flight, a pilot training school—complete with a flight simulator ($5 additional; minimum height 52”), a T-33 jet trainer and the restored Wright Model B Flyer. Rathmann Hall of ScienceThe Giant Heart: A Healthy Interactive Experience see here. Electricity Hall explores electricity and its applications through experiments, allowing students to interact with static electricity, motors, magnetism and telegraphy. (Closing for renovation Franklin Gallery/Franklin…He’s Electric! looks at Franklin’s accomplishments as a scientist and inventor, providing insights into science and history. (Closing for renovation March 2, 2009.) |
Benjamin Franklin National Memorial
The official national memorial to Franklin, this 82-foot marble rotunda houses a 30-ton statue of Franklin, as well as artifacts related to or belonging to him. The newly renovated national memorial will reopen in early October.
Third Floor
|
The Sports Challenge uses interactive experiences to demonstrate the role of science in sports from velocity, momentum and friction to balance, vision and reflex. Sir Isaac’s Loft: Where Art and Physics Collide illustrates basic principles of physics in an art gallery setting. Interactives demonstrate chain reactions, light, motion and energy. See artworks that use science to play with your mind. Galileo, Medici and The Age of Astronomy |
Fourth Floor
Joel N. Bloom Rooftop Observatory, recently renovated, offers safely filtered close-up views of the sun using our 10-inch Zeiss refractor telescope. See other bodies in space as they are visible using computerized reflector telescopes. Open weather permitting.
Mandell Center
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition, is highlighted on here. November 28–April 19
Real Pirates, is in port through November 2.
SkyBike provides a heart-pounding ride and physics lesson all in one. Minimum height 56”; must weigh less than 250 pounds. Fee $2 at attraction. Additional restrictions may apply.
Amazing Machines this newest Franklin exhibit invites students into a bright, machine-like room highlighted by three awesome kinetic mechanical art installations by sculptor and architect Ben Trautman, little-seen pieces from The Franklin’s renowned science collection (including the 1810 Maillardet automaton and 17th and 18th century clock movements), and the glint of largely metal interactive stations designed to reveal what’s really happening inside machines.
This engaging exhibit will help students understand that the machines are controlled systems built with universal components like gears, springs, cams, pulleys, linkages and screws. Everyday machines will be displayed in “exploded” views. Their parts, separated and visible, allow a bird’s eye view of the interior of such workhorses as the household vacuum cleaner, power drill and thermostat. Interactive stations invite students to experience different power sources and learn about different kinds of controls. These components works together in machines large and small, from our backhoe and giant can crusher to the tiniest pocket watch.