The Tech Science Labs
Give your students a deeper learning experience as they explore different science topics in our interactive, 90-minute hands-on labs. Our lab instructors provide an engaging science experience with Design Challenge Learning, captivating your students through an open-ended design process. Students work together to find creative solutions to real-world science and engineering challenges, while reinforcing science concepts and developing 21st century skills and habits of mind of Silicon Valley innovators. All labs meet California Science Content Standards.
"The students love the lab challenges. Thank you for your hard work, positive energy, and keeping our students engaged!"
—5th grade teacher, Toyon Elementary School
Visit our galleries along with your lab and see Lab and Gallery Connections to create a strategic path through the museum for your students. All labs and galleries are inspired by the innovative science & technology of Silicon Valley, and designed to spark fascination for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).
Lab sessions are available Monday through Friday throughout the school year, September to June. Labs begin at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and last 90 minutes. Labs have a maximum of 32 students. Some labs can accommodate larger groups with advanced notice. Special needs students are encouraged with advanced notice.
Each lab session costs $225. Title 1 schools are eligible for fee-waived labs. Please ask about this when making your reservations. Space is limited, so book today.
To book your lab, call Group Reservations at (408) 294-8324 (option 3).
Day of Lab Logistics
Groups with scheduled labs will meet their Lab Instructor in New Venture Hall. The Instructor will then escort the group to their lab location in the museum. Morning lab groups will be picked up at 9:20 a.m. and afternoon lab groups will be picked up at 12:20 p.m. 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.
"Our Tech scientist was great! Excellent presentation, great timing, instruction, & connection with the kids!"
—3rd grade teacher, Walter Hayes Elementary school
Science Labs for 2012-2013
We currently offer 8 different lab topics. Short descriptions of each lab are below, along with Lab Summaries including suggested preparation and follow-up activities.
"I LOVE the hands-on experience! Great materials to take back to the classroom as well! This was extremely valuable, educational & fun. Thank you!!"
—5th grade teacher, Del Mar Elementary School
Physics of Roller Coasters
Grades 2-8 (Adaptable for high school students)
Students design their own roller coasters to learn how engineers prototype and build machines. They also explore kinetic and potential energy, friction and Newton's 1st and 2nd Laws of Motion.
California Science Content Standards: Grade 2: 1a, 1c-e, 4; Grade 3: 1c-d, 5; Grade 4: 6; Grade 5: 6; Grade 6: 3a, 7a; Grade 7: 7; Grade 8: 1a-f, 2a-f, 9; Grade 9-12: Physics 1a-l, 2a-h, Investigation & Experimentation
Physics of Roller Coasters Lab Summary
Physics of Roller Coasters Lab Lesson Plan
Chemicals of Innovation
Grades 5-8
Students explore chemical properties and bring the periodic table right into their hands as they experiment with chemical reactions to discover dramatic results and see how chemicals work in Silicon Valley inventions.
California Science Content Standards: Grade 5: 1a-d, 1f-i, 6, 6b, 6d-h; Grade 6: 7, 7a; Grade 8: 3a-b, 3d-f, 5a, 5c-e, 6b-c, 7a-b, 9, 9a, 9c Chemicals of Innovation Lab Summary
Chemicals of Innovation Lab Lesson Plan
Engineering for Earthquakes
Grades 5-8
Students learn about earthquakes and engineering principles, then design and construct seismically sound buildings that they put to the test on a shake table simulating seismic waves.
California Science Content Standards: Grade 5: 6; Grade 6: 1a-f, 2d, 7; Grade 7: 7; Grade 8: 2a-b, 9 Engineering for Earthquakes Lab Summary
Engineering for Earthquakes Lab Lesson Plan
DNA and Genetics
Grades 6-8
Created with Stanford's Genetics Department. Students examine their own DNA from cheek cells, spool DNA from animal cells, and explore how genes shape traits.
California Science Content Standards: Grade 6: 7; Grade 7: 1a, 1c, 1e, 2, 2b-e, 3a, 7; Grade 8: 6c, 9
DNA and Genetics Lab Lesson Plan
Green by Design
Grades 3-8
To discover how to harness solar energy, students learn about circuit design, nanotechnology, and solar panels. Then they plan and prototype a solar-powered city.
California Science Content Standards: Grade 3: 1a-b, 1d, 1f, 1h, 2a-b, 3c-e, 5; Grade 4: 1, 1a, 6; Grade 5: 6; Grade 6: 3a-b, 4a-b, 5a, 6, 6a-c, 7; Grade 7: 3e, 6c, 6f, 7; Grade 8: 4d, 9 Green by Design Lab Summary
Green by Design Lab Lesson Plan
Simplicity of Electricity
Grades 4-8
Students discover how to make electricity work. They learn about switches and circuits as they tinker with electricity to light up the world and make some noise.
California Science Content Standards: Grade 4: 1a, 1g, 6; Grade 5: 1c, 6; Grade 6: 3a-c, 7 Grade 7: 7; Grade 8: 9 Simplicity of Electricity Lab Summary
Simplicity of Electricity Lab Lesson Plan
Light, Sound, Action!
Grades 3-8
Students learn about energy waves, as they explore the properties of light and sound. They see how light behaves, discover the underlying principles of color, and create sound devices to visualize sound waves.
California Science Content Standards: Grade 3: 1a, 1c-e, 2a-d, 5; Grade 4: 1g, 6; Grade 5: 6; Grade 6: 3a, 4b, 7; Grade 7: 6a-g7, ; Grade 8: 4d, 9
Light, Sound, Action! Lab Summary
Light, Sound, Action! Lab Lesson Plan
Power the Future
Grades 4-8
Students learn about electricity and magnetism, and how they relate to each other. They construct an electromagnetic circuit and an electromagnet, and then combine the two technologies together!
California Science Content Standards: Grade 2: 1f; Grade 3: 1b-d, 5; Grade 4: 1a-g, 6; Grade 5: 1c, 6; Grade 6: 3a, 7; Grade 7: 6a, 7; Grade 8: 3a, 9
