Exploratorium

Discover science, art, and curiosity wherever you are, with the Exploratorium. Meet your summer hub for discovery and delight. Choose your path to live events, kitchen science, tinkering projects, fascinating films, and all the museum at home you’ve been cravingit’s all free. Stay safe, start here, and keep exploring today: http://explo.me/6Z7G30qZPdK... #MuseumFromHome See more

What causes high tides on opposite sides of the earth? Find out how gravity and the distance between the earth and the moon create tidal bulges (high tides) on both the near and far side of the earth with the Exploratorium's at-home activity Dance of the Tides. Explore step-by-step instructions: http://explo.me/WKb830rjevK We have three King Tides coming up this winter in November, December, and January. Follow us along as we share resources, activities and videos. And be sur...e to tag @exploratorium and #KingTides to join the conversation today! #ExploClimate #ExploEDU #KingTides #ScienceSnacks

Discover science, art, and curiosity wherever you are, with the Exploratorium. Meet your summer hub for discovery and delight. Choose your path to live events, kitchen science, tinkering projects, fascinating films, and all the museum at home you’ve been cravingit’s all free. Stay safe, start here, and keep exploring today: http://explo.me/6Z7G30qZPdK... #MuseumFromHome See more

Whether you're toasting to the weekend or hosting an at-home happy hour, join the Exploratorium for Drink Lab: a cocktail hour where you can taste the science. Explore more today: http://explo.me/RdzJ30rhLSD Hosted by Seaglass Restaurant & The Seismic Joint's Clay Reynolds, this week we're exploring Carbonation FEATURED RECIPE... Corpse Reviver #2 1 oz. Gin 1 oz. Lemon Juice 1 oz. Lilet 1 oz. Dry Curacao Recommended for ages 21+. #CocktailScience

Today is the last day to register for Connecting Global Change to Local Impacts with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe. Climate change isn’t just a problem for future generations anymoreit’s affecting us, here and now. Not only that, but the choices we make today will have profound impacts on our future. Are we still able to act on climate? Or is it too late? Join us for a live conversation with atmospheric scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe on Wednesday, October 28 at 4 p.m. PDT. as she... untangles the complex science connecting our choices to future impacts and highlights the actions that are being taken to combat this critical issue today. Pre-registration required. RSVP to get free access: http://explo.me/zHcJ30reYA9 Recommended for ages 13+. Photo Credit: Ashley Rodgers, TexasTech University

Come be in your elements with Exploratorium host and scientific raconteur Ron Hipschmanfollow tales of intrigue and invention, join in dynamic demonstrations, and uncover fascinating connections between individual elements and our collective human experience. Have you ever heard of an element that can cry, or get a disease? Tin does both. In addition to its use in cans, toy soldiers, and the manufacture of plate glass, you can find tin in bronze, pewter, type-metal, and even... in your toothpaste. Don't have a tin earget to know this useful metal. Since joining the Exploratorium in 1971, Ron Hipschman has worked as an exhibit developer, author, teacher, and webcast host. He currently works on the Exploratorium’s Environmental Initiative, implementing and maintaining a collection of environmental monitoring sensors and developing visualizations for the Bay Observatory Gallery’s super-resolution media wall. In addition to Everything Matters, Ron hosts the physics lecture series Full-Spectrum Science.Come be in your elements with Exploratorium host and scientific raconteur Ron Hipschmanfollow tales of intrigue and invention, join in dynamic demonstrations, and uncover fascinating connections between individual elements and our collective human experience. https://www.exploratorium.edu

"Automata...is really about exploring and inventing, and using mechanisms to do different things, rather than opening a window or operating a machine. It's using mechanism to recreate movement that you might find in life." Keith Newstead We are saddened to hear the passing of artist Keith Newstead, a creator of astonishing automata and former resident artist at the Exploratorium's Tinkering Studio. He created whimsical automata for more than 30 years, some of which were featured in the Exploratorium's exhibition Curious Contraptions. Keith Newstead by the Exploratorium

Explore the soundtrack to the universe with Music from the Periodic Table, a weekly music listening series featuring compositions by the Exploratorium Sound Artist Wayne Grim. This week we're tuning into Chlorine. --... Be in your elements every Friday to listen to pieces inspired by the elements, originally composed by Wayne for the Exploratorium's talk series, Everything Matters: Tales from the Periodic Table. The periodic table outlines the fundamental building blocks of all known matter in the universe. Arriving from the Big Bang, the fusion wombs of stars and supernova, and collisions between interstellar matter and cosmic raysand through production in the labthe 118 elements currently arrayed on the periodic table display unique and beautifully related properties and behaviors. Replay previous talks from Everything Matters: Tales from the Periodic Table: https://www.exploratorium.edu//collecti/everything-matters Learn more about Everything Matters: Tales from the Periodic Table: https://www.exploratorium.edu/event-seri/everything-matters

Do you wonder what kind of face coverings work best to prevent the spread of the coronavirus? Exploratorium Scientist Desiré Whitmore uses the Giant Mirror exhibit to observe small changes in the temperature of moving air, and collect evidence about which face coverings work best at keeping your breath from traveling far from you. We hope this information can help you make decisions about ways we can keep each other safe during the pandemic, and prevent the spread of the coro...navirus. -- This video was made by the Exploratorium in collaboration with Jacob Hines and Evan Wang of Stanford University.

Calling all citizen scientists: join us in observing and documenting the #KingTides, which occur when the highest tides of the day coincide with the highest tides of the month and the highest tides of the season, around the winter and summer solstices. We have three King Tides coming up this winter in November, December, and January. Follow us along as we share resources, activities and videos on the rising oceans. And be sure to tag @exploratorium and #KingTides to share your observations. #ExploClimate

This Sunday: Pull up for a one-night, artist-driven extravaganza at the Westwind Capitol Drive-In in San Jose. The Exploratorium, @kadistkadist, Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose, and @san_jose_museum_of_art present a screening of artist videos at the drive-in. Spread out with lawn chairs, get your fill of popcorn, and enter the retro-futurist raffle while listening to a DJ set by Oakland-based collective @smartbomb_oakland. The program features a line-up of unpredictabl...e, unconventional, and transportive short videos by international artists reframing cinematic conventions. Recommended for ages 13+. $10 general, $9 Exploratorium members (per vehicle). Curious? Explore more today: http://explo.me/WFVl30rfdby AV: Artist Videos at the Drive-In Sunday, November 1 69 p.m. PST Westwind Capitol Drive-In 3630 Hillcap Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136 sanjose.org

Anchored between Piers 15 and 17 at the Exploratorium, a buoy on loan from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration collects data on water temperature and salinity and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere and in San Francisco Bay. Tonight, join us as we take the buoy out of the water for its yearly servicing. Get a close look at the critters and seaweed that colonize its body and learn more about how its sensors and mechanisms work. We’ll be joined by scie...ntists to share what the data collected by the buoy reveals about the Bay and some of key concerns around ocean health and resilience. This month’s After Dark Online is a get-together to fall apart. As autumn sets in, trees become bare, and the northern hemisphere begins to chill, we’re exploring processes of decay, entropy, and how things come apart, making way for revisions and new arrangements. For more information about this program, please visit: https://www.exploratorium.edu//after-dark-online-under-the

You genius gifter, you! This season, find bright ideas for everyone you love at the Exploratorium. Shop online for a hand-picked selection of unusual gadgets, games, books, and maker kits for science lovers. Plus, all your purchases support the Exploratorium’s mission to transform science education. The best part? We are now offering Curbside Pickups in San Francisco for free. Ready within 3-hours or less.... Shop genius gift ideas: http://explo.me/dXMf30rfNWz

TOMORROW: Join us for After Dark Online: Under the Bay. Anchored between Piers 15 and 17 at the Exploratorium, a buoy on loan from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration collects data on water temperature and salinity and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere and in San Francisco Bay. At After Dark Online, get a close look at the critters and seaweed that colonize the buoy and learn more about how its sensors and mechanisms work. We’ll be joined by scien...tists to share what the data collected by the buoy reveals about the Bay and some of key concerns around ocean health and resilience. After Dark Online: Under the Bay Thursday, October 22 7 p.m. PDT Free and online on the Exploratorium Facebook and YouTube Recommended for ages 18+; no prior registration required Explore more: http://explo.me/2clJ30rb2Ws

Did you know you can shop virtually at the Exploratorium Store this holiday season? Book a private appointment with a knowledgeable Exploratorium Store staff member, bring your gift list, and we'll share with you the best games, unusual gadgets, coding and maker kits, STEAM toys, puzzles, kitchenware, art and science books, and more. Book your appointment today: http://explo.me/5Et730riJy7... Exploratorium's Antoine's special pick for the season is the Exploratorium Pocket Microscope, a 20x-40x zoom microscope equipped with a super-bright LED light that allows you to look at an object up close no matter where you are. Recommended for ages 8+. Curious? Shop Exploratorium Pocket Microscope: http://explo.me/vrj630riJy #STEM #GiftIdeas #Holidays

What do animals know, and how do they know it? Author Peter Godfrey-Smith discusses his latest book, an inquiry into the origins of animal intelligence considering ocean creatures from sponges and shrimp to octopuses and whale sharks. These animals hold surprising lessons for some of philosophy's most vexing puzzles: how animals first folded the raw materials of nature into minds, why it worked, and what sort of thing a mind might be, whether it belongs to a sea slug, a crow, or ourselves.

Looking at a pile of compost, you’d never guess that it is alive and thriving! The Exploratorium's Hot Pile exhibit is made up of all manner of plant waste, but ends up looking like soil through the process of decomposition. Join Exploratorium Environmental Scientist Sue Pierre as she discusses the bacteria, fungi, and microscopic insects who break down plant matter to produce compost and heat. Go further by experimenting with your own hot pile in a styrofoam box at home in t...his segment of #BuildYourOwnExploratorium. Curious? Try it at home today: http://explo.me/rcQi30rfmQv -- Join us here on Instagram every 2 weeks starting for Build Your Own Exploratorium, and if you decide to create an exhibit at home tag us @Exploratorium #BuildYourOwnExploratorium

Here lie deceased explanations Done in by controlled exploration. These theories, once bold, Can now be retold Without fearing their reincarnation. co-written by Craig Anderson, Kevin Boyd, Hugh McDonald, and Megan Pruiett... On the eve of the eve of All-Hallow’s Eve, we bring one of our favorite annual events, the Cemetery of Dead Science, online. While we look to science as a trusted source for understanding the world around us, knowledge is ever-evolving. Tonight, we’ll look at debunked science from pasts both distanced and recent. We’ll also dig into the scientific process to better understand how questionable concepts can gain legitimacy. For program details, please visit: https://www.exploratorium.edu//after-dark-online-ok-decay-

This week: Join us for After Dark: Animal Intelligence with author Peter Godfrey-Smith Join Peter as he discusses his latest book, Metazoaan inquiry into the origins of animal intelligence considering ocean creatures from sponges and shrimp to octopuses and whale sharks. These animals hold surprising lessons for some of philosophy's most vexing puzzles: how animals first folded the raw materials of nature into minds, why it worked, and what sort of thing a mind might be, wh...ether it belongs to a sea slug, a crow, or ourselves. Pro-tip: Metazoa is available for preorder at the Exploratorium Store: http://explo.me/Rx8230riJAc After Dark Online: Animal Intelligence Thursday, November 12 7 p.m. PDT Free and online on the Exploratorium Facebook and YouTube Recommended for ages 18+; no prior registration required http://explo.me/6KWl30rfmSd -- Inspired by the autumnal harvest, this month’s After Dark Online explores the qualities, practices, and materials that connect us as a culture and provide nourishment and resilience in times of scarcity. What do you want to take forward? What can you leave behind?

Climate change isn’t just a problem for future generations anymoreit’s affecting us, here and now. Not only that, but the choices we make today will have profound impacts on our future. Are we still able to act on climate? Or is it too late? Join us for Live Conversation with Dr. Katharine HayhoeConnecting Global Change to Local Impacts on Wednesday, October 28 at 4 p.m. PDT. as she untangles the complex science connecting our choices to future impacts and highlights the a...ctions that are being taken to combat this critical issue today. Pre-registration required. RSVP to get free access: http://explo.me/zHcJ30reYA9 Recommended for ages 13+. Photo Credit: Ashley Rodgers, TexasTech University

Gear up before National Cat Day! We’re taking a moment to celebrate our feline friends and the fans that adore them with this hand-selected collection of cat-themed novelties, curiosities, and games from the Exploratorium Store. Curious? Explore more today: http://explo.me/5CLf30rhDRU Plus, all your purchases support our mission to transform learning worldwide.

This Día de Muertos, let's look to the night sky and explore the astronomical connections that have been celebrated and honored by indigenous communities for millennia. Equinoxes and solstices are familiar astronomical markers of the seasons, but we rarely hear about the Cross-Quarter Days, the four half-way points in between. The approaching Cross Quarter Day between the September equinox and the December solstice is traditionally connected with the time of harvest, the Sun ...and the stars, Halloween, and Day of the Dead festivities. In Guatemala, early November celebrates Día de Muertosthe Day of the Deadwhen people fly kites that carry messages in their tails to the ancestors, make beautiful wreaths, and visit the tombs of family members who have passed on. Families in the cemetery of Zunil, Quetzaltenango, come together to remember and honor the memory of their loved ones. On Halloween night, we invite you to go outside and see the Blue Moonthe second full moon of the monthand the Pleiades high in the sky. --- Este Día de Muertos, miremos el cielo nocturno para explorar las conexiones astronómicas que las comunidades indígenas han honrado y celebrado por miles de años. Los equinoccios y los solsticios son marcadores astronómicos relacionados con las estaciones, pero rara vez escuchamos acerca de los cuatro puntos intermedios. El próximo día que ocurre justo entre el equinoccio de septiembre y el solsticio de diciembre está tradicionalmente relacionado con la época de la cosecha, el Sol y las estrellas, y las festividades del Día de Muertos. En Guatemala, a principios de noviembre se celebra el Día de Muertos cuando las personas vuelan barriletes que llevan mensajes en sus colas a los antepasados, hacen hermosas coronas de flores y visitan las tumbas de los familiares fallecidos. En el cementerio de Zunil, Quetzaltenango, la comunidad se reúne para recordar y honrar la memoria de sus seres queridos. En el Día de Muertos, los invitamos a observar los cielos a la noche para ver las estrellas y recordar a los difuntos. 2019, Zunil, Guatemala (Quetzaltenango Department) by Exploratorium Astronomer, Isabel Hawkins

Indulge in a bit of joyful voyeurism as we screen and celebrate home movies. Created to capture the moments that become the almanac of a life lived, home movies have the power to link the past to the present and cultivate empathy for real people. While each home movie is unique, the personal experiences on view often capture moments that are familiar and widely recognizable. Also? They can be a lot of fun. This glimpse into the lives of strangers pairs screenings of exceptional home movies with stories and ideas from those who collect, archive, and study home movies. For program details, please visit: https://www.exploratorium.edu//after-dark-online-home-movi

Pull up for a one-night, artist-driven drive-in theater experience curated by the Exploratorium, Kadist, Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose, and San José Museum of Art on Sunday, November 1. Spread out with lawn chairs, get your fill of popcorn, and enter the retro-futurist raffle while listening to a DJ set by Oakland-based collective SMART BOMB and enjoy a line-up of unpredictable, unconventional, and transportive short videos by international artists reframing cinemati...c conventions. Recommended for ages 13+. $10 general, $9 Exploratorium members (per vehicle). Curious? Explore more at Curious? Explore more today: http://explo.me/WFVl30rfdby AV: Artist Videos at the Drive-In Sunday, November 1 69 p.m. PST Westwind Capitol Drive-In 3630 Hillcap Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136 sanjose.org

Join us for the Halloween edition of Storytime Sciencea storybook read-aloud followed by a simple related activity geared toward very young children. Exploratorium's Vivian Altmann will read aloud Skulls! by Blair Thornburgh and illustrated by Scott Campbell, and guide you through three slightly spooky activities you can do with simple household items. For Head Harp, you'll need some thick string or twine, your head, and an assistant (a grown-up will do). For The Creaking Do...or, you'll need a thin plastic or paper cup, some string, a paper clip, a ball-point pen, and a small cup of water. For The Haunted Rice, you'll need some raw rice, water, a wine glass with a stem, and a grown-up assistant. Free online event. Recommended for ages 3+.

ExplOrers, are you #voterready? U.S. Election Day is coming up November 3. Today, Monday, October 19 is the final day to register to vote online or have your registration post marked in the mail. Registrations may still be submitted on election day. Be prepared, make a plan, and be #BallotReady this election. In need of resources? Head to www.ballotready.org to personalize your voter plan today!

Happy Friday, explOreres! We present you with a round of socially distanced patty cake with Senior Physics Educator Desiré Whitmore with the Exploratorium's beloved Giant Mirror Amy Snyder, Exploratorium

TOMORROW: Join us for Storytime Science for Kids: The Halloween Episode with the Exploratorium's Vivian Altmann Storytime Science is a storybook read aloud followed by a simple related activity geared toward very young children. This episode is about Halloween, but it's also about soundsall of them fun, and one a little eerie (and festive!). Join us as we read Skulls! by Blair Thornburgh, illustrated by Scott Campbell. Then we'll try three slightly haunting activities t...ogether with a few simple household items: For Head Harp, you'll need some thick string or twine, your head, and an assistant (a grown-up will do). For The Creaking Door, you'll need a thin plastic or paper cup, some string, a paper clip, a ball-point pen, and a small cup of water. For The Haunted Rice, you'll need some raw rice, water, a wine glass with a stem, and a grown-up assistant. Storytime Science: The Halloween Episode Wednesday, October 28 1 p.m. PDT, Ages 3+ Free and online on the Exploratorium Facebook and YouTube Recommended for ages 3+; no prior registration required . Explore more: http://explo.me/dcVC30rbNhP

Organic matter, part of what makes up living organisms, can be defined as material in the process of decay. Though life may be gone, it’s not forgotten, as this matter cycles back through the ecosystemcreating new opportunities for life. Tonight, scale down to the smallest forms of life to discover how organisms break down and understand the journey they take to reincarnate anew. This month’s After Dark Online is a get-together to fall apart. As autumn sets in, trees become ...bare, and the northern hemisphere begins to chill, we’re exploring processes of decay, entropy, and how things come apart, making way for revisions and new arrangements. For the line-up of presentations, please visit: https://www.exploratorium.edu//after-dark-online-all-remai

Bird in a Cage is a beloved Exploratorium exhibit that explores the connection between your eye and the light that enters itstaring at the bird changes the way you perceive the cage, causing you to see a ghostly afterimage of a bird. Join Exploratorium Educator Lori Lambertson as she shares some of her favorite ways to explore Bird in a Cage, including instructions you can follow to build your own own at home! Try for yourself at home today: http://explo.me/deag30rbOVr --... Join us here on Instagram every 2 weeks for a new edition of Build Your Own Exploratorium. If you decide to create an exhibit at home, tag us @Exploratorium #BuildYourOwnExploratorium