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Science Labs
What does DNA have to do with the taste of broccoli? How do roller coasters make our stomachs drop? Can you find a solution to water pollution? Students can explore these and other questions as they roll up their sleeves in The Tech Interactive’s hands-on Science Labs.
These interactive, facilitated sessions reinforce scientific concepts and help students develop 21st century skills. Participants will use the design process to brainstorm, design, build, test and redesign their way to creative solutions to real-world science and engineering challenges.
Learn more about our summer, school year, or virtual lab programs. Each of our labs supports Next Generation Science Standards and are complemented by related gallery exhibits and pre- and post-lab activities.
School Year Lab Offerings
With 9 labs to choose from, there’s a science lab for nearly every subject! Click through for full descriptions and supporting content. School year science labs are available Sept. 20, 2022, through June 9, 2023. Minimum of 12 students required to reserve a lab.
For information on our virtual programs, Click Here.
60 Minute Labs
Chemistry of Plastination: A Body Worlds Decoded lab
(Grades 8-12)
More than just anatomy, Body Worlds Decoded is also a display of advanced chemical processes. Students investigate and experiment with some of the chemistry behind the preservation process of Body Worlds.
**This lab will only run the weeks of: 3/21-3/24/23 and 4/25-5/5/23
Extend the Learning
To Donate or Not to Donate (PDF)
Make it Matter
(Grade 2 only)
Play with the building blocks of the universe: matter! Students explore and experiment with the properties of matter using everyday chemicals and compounds.
Lab Journal (PDF)
Extend the Learning
Property Investigators (PDF)
Molecule Madness (PDF)
90 Minute Labs
Advanced Physics of Roller Coasters
(Grades 9-12)
Calculate the thrills and excitement of your own roller coaster prototypes! Students build their prototypes, then determine the kinetic and potential energy of their designs.
New!
Chemicals of Innovation
(Grades 5-8)
Investigate chemical properties and bring the periodic table to life. Students experiment with chemical reactions and explore real-life applications and innovations featuring the elements of life.
Extend the Learning
Green Pennies (PDF)
Periodic Table Battleship (PDF)
DNA and Genetics
(Grades 6-12)
Investigate the wonders of DNA and genetics. Students examine strawberries, spool DNA from nature, and discover some of their own hidden genetic traits. This lab was created in partnership with the Stanford Department of Genetics.
This lab will only run the weeks of: 3/21/-3/24/23 and 4/25-5/5/23
Extend the Learning
Dino DNA (PDF)
Who has the gene? (PDF)
Down the Drain
(Grades 3-8)
Design and construct different types of storm drain grates to keep trash out of the Bay’s watershed from San Jose to the Pacific Ocean. Students discover how water systems function and how to use science and their own ideas to protect Earth’s natural resources.
Extend the Learning
Testing the Waters (PDF)
Trash Mover (PDF)
Engineering for Earthquakes
(Grades 4-8)
Construct seismically sound structures to survive “The Big One.” Students work as teams to practice the structural design and engineering process as they learn about one of California’s greatest natural threats: earthquakes.
Extend the Learning
Convection Currents (PDF)
Earthquake in a Box (PDF)
Physics of Roller Coasters
(Grades 2-8)
Discover the science and engineering behind thrill rides! Students explore kinetic and potential energy, friction and the engineering process by designing and prototyping their own roller coasters.
Lab Journal Grades 2-3 (PDF)
Lab Journal (PDF)
Extend the Learning
Balloon Hovercraft (PDF)
Energy Red Light Green Light (PDF)
Simplicity of Electricity
(Grades 4-8)
Explore properties of static and current electricity with everyday objects. Students investigate conductors and insulators as they tinker with electricity through the creation of circuits.
Extend the Learning
Drawing Circuits (PDF)
Lemon Battery (PDF)
Summer Lab Offerings
Summer labs offer fun, hands-on learning, and air conditioning for summer programs of all types. Click through for full descriptions and supporting content. Summer science labs are available Tuesday through Friday from June 20-July 28, 2023. Minimum of 12 students to reserve a lab.
Engineering for Earthquakes
(Grades 4-8)
Construct seismically sound structures to survive “The Big One.” Students work as teams to practice the structural design and engineering process as they learn about one of California’s greatest natural threats: earthquakes.
Lab Related Activities
Convection Currents (PDF)
Earthquake in a Box (PDF)
Kitchen Chemistry
(Grades 1-3)
Explore chemical properties and reactions using chemicals we find every day in our kitchens! Students explore what matter is made of, and work with everyday household chemicals to discover pH and make a scientific work of art!
Physics of Roller Coasters
(Grades 2-8)
Discover the science and engineering behind thrill rides! Students explore kinetic and potential energy, friction and the engineering process by designing and prototyping their own roller coasters.
Lab Journal Grades 2-3 (PDF)
Lab Journal (PDF)
Lab Related Activities
Energy Red Light Green Light (PDF)
Lab Costs and Title I Policies
For school groups, labs cost $300 per lab with a maximum capacity of 32 students. A $50 deposit is required per lab at booking.
For Title I school groups, the $300 fee for labs can be waived depending on the availability of funding from our donors. Book early to secure funding. A refundable $50 deposit is required per lab at booking. Deposits will be refunded when you check in on your field trip day. Canceling a lab within three weeks of the scheduled date will result in forfeiture of your deposit, unless the cancellation was due to a public health directive.
If you are an educator at a Title I school and have been granted a fee-waived lab, you are required to implement one of the provided pre-lab activities (journal writing and/or vocabulary) and post-lab activities (journal writing and/or activity) in your classroom. All pre-lab activities can be found in the educator resource guides.
To reserve a Science Lab, please indicate your interest on our Request a Field Trip form. When a Group Reservations specialist calls to schedule your trip, they will guide you through the booking process.
Standards Connections
All of our labs support Next Generation Science Standards. Details on connections to grade-level standards: