Core Museum Exhibits
CORE MUSEUM EXHIBITS are included with General Admission
Science standard information is available at www.fi.edu/teacherresources.
FIRST FLOOR
Space Command This out-of-this-world exhibit offers 30 interactive stations where students can check out authentic space gear, don bulky gloves to perform a task in “simulated space,” learn about gravity and recover an unmanned space probe by applying techniques used by real astronomers to explore other planets. Even view a chunk of meteorite 5 billion years old!
KidScience:
Island of the Elements Designed exclusively for ages 8 and under, KidScience introduces young learners to the basic properties of air, water, earth and light. Children discover energy and its effects as they board a ship, climb a lighthouse, power a real waterwheel and navigate mazes.
The Train Factory
All aboard! Students enter into a 19th century machine shop and ride a 350-ton steam locomotive in this captivating exhibit. While experiencing the sights and sounds of train travel, visitors explore concepts such as steam, pressure, friction and magnetic force.
SECOND FLOOR
The Giant Heart
Millions of visitors have traced the path of blood in the museum’s iconic walkthrough Giant Heart. Today, the exhibit of the same name also lets students see how much blood is in their bodies, use computer interactives to learn about heart function and blood flow, crawl through plaque-encrusted arteries and much more.
Electricity
This cutting-edge exhibit provides highly interactive ways for students to learn through electrical experimentation – just like the museum’s namesake, Ben Franklin! From the electrical impulses in the human body to questions of sustainable energy, visitors explore the diverse facets of electricity and “spark” their curiosity about this fascinating force that operates all around us.
Changing Earth
Earth is an active planet – volcanoes erupt, rivers flood and thunderstorms sweep through the skies. In Changing Earth, students explore the incredible forces that impact our planet each day, transforming its air, water and land. Through hands-on interactives like a weather studio, stream table and magma crawl, students explore these natural changes and their own role in Earth’s dynamic development.
The Franklin Air Show
The museum’s immersive Air Show features a pilot training school, games and contests demonstrating the properties of flight, a T-33 jet trainer and an original Wright brothers’ Model B Flyer.
Two flight simulators – including a new 12-passenger 4D simulator – enable visitors to feel the wind, experience 3D visuals, environmental effects and motion! Some height and weight restrictions apply; $5 additional for simulators.
Amazing Machine
We interact with countless machines each day – but what is really going on inside of them? Students find out in Amazing Machine, a unique exhibit that contrasts little-seen artifacts from the Institute’s renowned science collection (including the 1810 Maillardet automaton) with captivating interactive stations revealing the inner-workings of machines.
Benjamin Franklin
National Memorial
The majestic 82-foot rotunda that is the National Memorial to Franklin houses a 30-ton marble statue of the founding father. Recently refurbished, the Memorial is now home to an award-winning “Ben Franklin Forever” multimedia show that illuminates the hall every hour on the hour.
THIRD FLOOR
Sir Isaac’s Loft: Where Art
and Physics Collide
This hands-on exhibit highlights the basic principles of physics in unique and fun ways. Interactives demonstrate chain reactions, light, motion and energy, while optical illusions show how science can play with the mind! Students can create glow-in-the-dark designs with the Light Spiro-graph, put their strength to the test with The Giant Lever, and lift up their own chair using a series of pulleys.
The Sports Challenge
As students enter the Sports Challenge stadium – complete with astroturf, airborne blimp, and oversized jumbotron screen – they are immediately transformed into star athletes! Through action-packed challenges – like wheelchair racing, virtual reality soccer and aerodynamic skiing – children learn about the physics, physiology, and material science behind the sports they watch and play every day.
Skybike
$3 additional. Minimum height 56”. Maximum weight 250 pounds.
PLUS! Check online for free pre- and post-visit exhibit resources for educators.
Visit www.fi.edu/teacherresources to maximize your students’ hands-on classroom and museum learning.
