Although everybody recommended the Museum of Science in Boston to me, I never went there until two weeks ago. On a Saturday afternoon my friend, her kids, her kids’ friends and I drove to the Museum that is on the banks of the Charles River. As a teacher working in Massachusetts I got an entry card for free last fall when I registered online for it. That saves me $ 25 every time I want to go (special exhibitions have to be paid extra). And the museum is that big that I definitely want to go there again. The building is huge, there also is a big garage attached. The museum itself consists of several wings and floors.
When we entered the museum, we first saw some typical New England animals. I am glad that I have never seen a bear in the wilderness 🙂
I like those animals, but one floor up everything got so much more exciting: there is a huge section about humans and how our environment changes us. It is very interactive as you can do many different activities, e.g. having your walk measured, seeing what influences your decisions for certain foods, etc. I am a total cliche because when there is a lot of food on offer, I really eat much more, too.
The kids even reassembled a hominid skeleton. I found the information on pandemics and how they are defeated close by very interesting. It was crazy to read how many people have died of malaria and the Guinea worm. So far smallpox is the only disease that humans have eradicated.
Another section of the museum deals with mechanical science. There are always information boards as well as plenty of experiments to try.
Obviously, I had to marvel at my reflection in the mirrors 🙂
We also went to the 4D cinema and watched a short and interesting documentation on sharks. I didn’t even know that sharks existed in that many different shapes and sizes. Side fact: I only learned last year that there are even sharks in Cape Cod. Sometimes in summer they close beaches because it’s too dangerous to swim there.
Our highlight on that day was the lightning show. There is a huge Faraday cage and the world’s largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator. A man lead through the about 20 minute long program. Different machines produce bolts and he explained to the big audience how electricity works and how it is carried. It was also a great reminder to stay in the car whenever there is a real thunderstorm.
Since we went to the museum one day before the Super Bowl, even the dinosaur wore a Patriots’ scarf. We didn’t have time anymore to visit the dinosaur section though.
I enjoyed my visit to the Museum of Science very much. Unfortunately, they close on Saturdays already at 5 p.m. If you don’t want to spend the whole day in the museum, it seems impossible to me to see all exhibitions. I definitely want to go there again soon. Of all the Boston museums this one is most likely my favorite because there is so much to learn and do. I also find it impressive that the museum is so huge and covers so many different topics. Only if I had to pay the $ 25 entrance fee every time I want to go there, I wouldn’t be happy because sadly this adds up fast. I really wish museums in the U.S. were a little more affordable.
© janavar