Hands-On Tech Science Labs
Tech labs enhance students' museum experience by allowing them to explore a science topic in an interactive, hands-on setting. Most labs utilize Design Challenge Learning, an exciting, fun process that enables students to engage in an open-ended design process that results in an original solution. All of our labs align with California standards of learning.
Lab sessions are available (Monday through Friday) throughout the school year. Labs begin at 9:30 am and 12:30 pm, and last 90 minutes. Labs have a maximum of 32 students per session. Each lab session costs $225, and a full fee waiver is available for Title I schools.
Groups with Science Labs: Day of Visit Information
Groups with scheduled labs will meet their lab instructor at the Group Entrance. The instructor will then escort the group to their lab location in the museum. Morning lab groups will be picked up at 9:20 am and afternoon lab groups will be picked up at 12:20 pm. It is important that the group arrive early so that the lab can begin on time. Failure to arrive on time may result in cancellation of the lab without refund.
Science Labs for 2009-2010
New! The Tech Challenge Video Workshop Magnetism
Grades 3-8
Magnets can do more than hold your homework on the refrigerator! Students get the chance to learn about magnetism, and convey their knowledge through video so that they can then access and share it online. Maximum of 16 students per workshop. $195 per workshop session.
California Content Standards: Grade 2: Physical Science, 1., 1c., 1d., 1e., 1f; Grade 4: Physical Science, 1., 1b., 1c., 1e.,1f
All Grades - Investigation and Experimentation: Scientific progress is made
by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations.
The Tech Science Show: Magnet Episode Materials
Building for the Big One
Grades 4-8 (Design Challenge)
Strong 6th Grade Application to Standards
How do architects and structural engineers design buildings to stand up to the power of earthquakes? Your students will find out as they build and test structures while learning about the earthquakes that shake them!
California Content Standards: Grade 4: 6, 6c, 6d, Mathematics 3.7; Grade 5: 6; Grade 6: 1d, 1e, 1f, 2d, 7, 7a; Grade 7: 7, 7e, Mathematics 3.6; Grade 8: 2a, 9, 9a, 9b, 9c
Building for the Big One Teacher Info
Chemical Properties
Grades 4-8
Strong 5th and 8th Grade Application to Standards
This class brings the periodic table alive! From protons, neutrons, and electrons to chemical reactions, students explore the chemistry of different elements and compounds through exciting demonstrations and hands-on experiments.
California Content Standards: Grade 4: 6a, 6c, 6f; Grade 5: 1a, 1b, 1d, 1g, 3b; Grade 6: 7e; Grade 8: 3a, 3b, 3f, 5a, 5c Chemical Properties Teacher Info
DNA and Genetic Traits created in Partnership with Stanford University
Grades 6-8
Strong 7th Grade Application to Standards
Students work in teams to learn the basics of genetics and inherited traits. Students not only spool real DNA from real cells, they also learn about its role as the blueprint for human characteristics. This lab is an excellent tie-in with The Tech Museum's Genetics: Technology with a Twist exhibit.
California Content Standards: Grade 4: 6f; Grade 7: 1, 1c, 1e, 2, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e; Grade 8: 9.
DNA and Genetic Traits Teacher Info
Earth Science and the Solar System 2-8 Grades
Grades 2*-8
The Tech Museum has partnered with NASA and NOAA to create this unique fieldtrip experience. Students explore the solar system and earths place among the planets using NOAA's Science on a Sphere. Then students will go behind the scenes and explore the geology that makes up our own planet.
California Content Standards: Grade 2: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 4c; Grade3: 4c, 4d, 4e; Grade 4: 4, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5c, 6, 6a, 6b Grade 7: 4, 4b, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g; Grade 8: 2f, 2g,4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e;
*Open to Grades 2 and 3 with a limit on the number of students to 20 per class Earth Science and the Solar System Teacher Info
Energy at Play - Back by Popular Demand!
Grades (2-6 )(Design Challenge)
Energize your students with this exploration of the way energy transforms and transfers: conservation of energy, kinetic and potential, gravitational and elastic energy will be discussed. Using Tinker Toys, household items and their own creativity, students build fun contraptions that explore these scientific concepts.
California Content Standards: Grade 3: 1c, 1d, Grade 6: 3a, All grades - Investigation and Experimentation
Energy at Play Teacher info
Green by Design, Energy Conservation, and Solar Engineering
Grades 3-8 (Design Challenge)
Everyone is going green, including The Tech Museum. Learn how scientists are harnessing the power of earth's most renewable energy source: the sun. Your students will explore the science behind solar panels and help design a solution to reduce the world's dependence on coal by using green energy!
California Content Standards: Grade 3: 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b; Grade 4: 1, 1a; Grade 5: 4; Grade 6: 3d, 4a, 4b, 5a, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 7, 7a, 7b, 7e; Grade 7: 6c, 6f, 6g; Grade 8: 4d
Green by Design, Energy Conservation, and Solar Engineering Teacher Info
Physics of Rollercoasters
Grades 2*-8 (Design Challenge)
Strong 8th Grade Application to Standards
They love to ride them, now they'll love to build them! Students explore kinetic and potential energy, friction, and Newton's 1st and 2nd Laws of Motion while building their own marble roller coasters.
California Content Standards: Grade 2: 1, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e; Grade 3: 5a, 5c; Grade 4: 6, 6c, 6d; Grade 5: 6; Grade 6: 3a, 7, 7a; Grade 7: 7, 7e; Grade 8: 1e, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 9, 9a, 9b, 9c
*Open to Grades 2 and 3 with a limit on the number of students to 20 per class
Physics of Rollercoasters teacher Info
Simplicity of Electricity
Grades 4-8 (Design Challenge)
Strong 4th Grade Application to Standards
Students will learn how to make electricity work for them. This enlightening workshop will help students learn about switches and circuits as they light up the world and make some noise!
California Content Standards: Grade 4: 1a, 1g, 6; Grade 5: 1c, 6; Grade 6: 3a, 7; Grade 7: 7; Grade 8: 9 Simplicity of Electricity Teacher Info
More about Design Challenge Learning
More cool stuff for the classroom