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.
New for 2008
Leonardo and the Inventors Workshop – Physical Science
Grades 4-8(Design Challenge)
Limited Time: Oct-Dec only
Special Lab Price: Only 150.00!
Learn to think like Leonardo da Vinci. Students will sketch some of his simple machines and learn about the basic mechanics of levers, pulleys and gears. With this knowledge they will be challenged to invent their own unique machines.
California Content Standards: 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
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
Earth Science and the Solar System 2-8 Grades
Grades 2*-8
The Tech 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
Oldies but Goodies
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
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
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'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.
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
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
More about Design Challenge Learning
More cool stuff for the classroom