Light Lab
Science on a Sphere
SCIENCE ON A SPHERE offers a world’s worth of information — literally! This room-sized, global display system displays planetary data on a 6-foot diameter sphere. Developed by researchers at NOAA, it helps you see earth system science in a whole new way. With 360-degree projections, the globe becomes the blue marble of Earth with more than 300 data sets that display weather patterns, tectonic shifts and other geophysical phenomena.
About the Exhibit
Science On a Sphere was developed by the researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help illustrate Earth system science to people of all ages. Using NOAA’s collective experience and knowledge of the earth’s land, oceans and atmosphere, this exhibit offers captivating lessons on environmental processes. It’s a visualization tool that gives you a completely new perspective. With one touch, you can see all the way to the bottom of the ocean where the Titanic sits, the 2011 earthquake in Japan and spreading tsunami or actual satellite images of our planet taken as recently as two hours before.
Explore More Exhibits
Riveting Robots
RIVETING ROBOTS explores how robots complete tasks that are often too dull, difficult or dangerous for humans.
View exhibit
Step Right Up!
STEP RIGHT UP! explores STEM concepts through classic carnival games. The difference between winning and losing is in understanding probability, statistics, the laws of physics and your body’s natural ability to connect sight and movements.
View exhibit
The Amazing Brain
THE AMAZING BRAIN explores your body’s command center — where you form memories, feel emotions, learn new things and so much more.
View exhibit
Simple Machines at Play
SIMPLE MACHINES AT PLAY explores six special mechanical devices — the simple machines — that have transformed our world by letting us do more work with less effort.
View exhibit
Every Last Drop
Water feels ordinary to us because it’s so familiar, but it’s a truly extraordinary molecule. EVERY LAST DROP explores water and our relationship to it.
View exhibit
Genetics: Unlock the Code
You are 99.9 percent identical to the person standing next to you. GENETICS: UNLOCK THE CODE helps visitors discover the science and wonder behind that fraction of a percent.
View exhibit
Unplugged: Science of Energy
The UNPLUGGED: THE SCIENCE OF ENERGY explores energy and our relationship to it, offering a better understanding of energy and its sources.
View exhibit
The Burns & McDonnell Engineerium
The BURNS & MCDONNELL ENGINEERIUM provides a deep dive into hands-on learning, encouraging thousands of kids to consider careers in technology and engineering.
View exhibit