Located in Science Park along the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts, the Museum of Science is America’s oldest all-encompassing science museum, home to more than 700 activities that seek to transform visitors’ views on science and technology. In addition to its main exhibits, the museum also contains a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and a small zoo collection.
History
The museum’s origins can be traced back to the Boston Society of Natural History, a scientific collective founded in 1830. The society settled into a physical location in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood in 1862, dubbing the building the New England Museum of Natural History. The museum was given its current name in 1939 and relocated to Science Park after World War II, opening in its current location in 1951.
Permanent Exhibits and Ongoing Programs
The museum’s main area features more than 35 themed exhibits along with a number of freestanding attractions.
True to the museum’s origins, natural history and natural science are highlighted here. A Bird’s World brings visitors inside Acadia National Park, where they can meet New England’s winged species on a virtual tour offering insights into bird language and behavior, while New England Habitats allows exploration of the region’s diverse natural environments through a series of dioramas. Rocks from around the world are on display for visitors to touch in the Rock Garden, and Living on the Edge provides an insight into Earth’s natural patterns through the study of geological boundaries. The museum is also an accredited Association of Zoos and Aquariums zoo, with a Live Animal Care Center showcasing more than 120 animals.
The prehistoric era comes to life in two exhibits. Dinosaurs: Modeling the Mesozoic focuses on how the scientific process contributes to evolving knowledge of extinct animals, while Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff presents a 23-foot-long triceratops, one of only four complete skeletons on display in the world. Additionally, the Natural Mysteries exhibit teaches visitors about the classification of natural history artifacts like shells and fossils.
America’s history of space exploration is celebrated in the To the Moon exhibit, which features walk-through models of Apollo and Mercury capsules as well as the nearby x-scale model of Skylab, the United States’ first space station. The Cosmic Light exhibit shines light on the Milky Way galaxy’s mysteries, from electromagnetic spectrum waves to the composition of meteorites. For an additional fee, the Charles Hayden Planetarium presents a variety of educational shows and musical light spectaculars.
The latest and greatest advancements in STEM fields are celebrated in a number of exhibits. The centerpiece of the Theater of Electricity is the world's largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator, donated in 1956. Nanotechnology, developed by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network, focuses on new innovations in micro-level technology, while both Innovative Engineers and Wicked Smart: Invented in the Hub highlight cutting-edge engineering achievements, including innovations from Harvard and MIT scientists such as the Freedom Chair and the RoboBees project. Several exhibits also give visitors a chance to hone math and science skills in a hands-on manner. The popular Mathematica exhibit brings math concepts to life in visual form, while the new exhibit Math Moves! uses shadow, shape, and sound experiments to teach the principles of ratio and proportion. Making Models shows how models aid in the scientific process, while the many scientific purposes of cartography are explored in Mapping the World Around Us, which gives visitors the opportunity to create their own maps.
Many exhibits encourage visitors to jump directly into the learning process with high-energy personalized activities. The Hall of Human Life allows visitors to record and analyze their own health data to help understand the inner workings of the human body, while Science in the Park takes learning to the playground for lessons on the mechanics of motion, and Investigate! shines new light on everyday science at home through a series of experiments. The museum’s youngest visitors can enjoy the Discovery Center, filled with activities geared toward fostering knowledge and discovery through inquisitive play.
The connection between art and science is a focal point of exhibits like the Light House, which uses the work of local artists to illuminate concepts of light and color science. A collection of animal sculptures by Boston artist Katharine Lane Weems focuses on anatomical principles in design. Seeing is Deceiving presents a hands-on look at optical illusions, examining their underlying principles of vision and cognition, while Take a Closer Look focuses on sensory perception, highlighting technologies that enhance the senses and help scientists perceive the world at a greater depth.
Several exhibits reflect the museum’s commitment to conservation research. Catching the Wind and Energized teach visitors about sustainable and renewable energy sources, such as solar power and wind turbines, while Conserve@Home utilizes a fun backyard setting to show ways to conserve resources through home energy saving. The museum’s newest permanent exhibition, Yawkey Gallery on the Charles River, considers the environmental impact that engineering decisions have on Boston’s waterways and encourages visitors to think critically about ecological solutions.
Two exhibits chronicle the history of the museum, the interactive timeline Museum of Science: Then and Now and Bradford Washburn: The Man Behind the Lens, which tells the story of the museum’s founder through photographs. The history of the curation process is brought to life in The Colby Trophy Room, which showcases unique pieces in a replica of Colonel Francis T. Colby's early 20th-century den. Looking to the future, Behind the Scenes gives visitors the chance to help build the museum’s future as they test future exhibit ideas.
Several attractions require an additional fee. The Omni Theater is New England’s only IMAX dome, a five-story screen with three rotating films. In the Butterfly Garden, visitors can explore a conservatory filled with free-flight butterflies and learn about their life cycles and relationships with their habitats. The Thrill Ride 360 motion simulator offers two immersive surround-sound rides.
Live demonstrations are presented throughout the museum on a daily schedule, with many featuring animals from the museum’s zoo. The museum also hosts regular special events, including movie nights, concerts, and the popular Astronomy After Hours program at its rooftop Gilliland Observatory.
1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114, website, Map
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