Permanent Exhibits at the Museum of Science 

Human Body Connection
This popular exhibit, formerly known as the Human Body Discovery Space, has relocated from its basement location to a larger, brand new space on the second floor of the Green Wing overlooking the Charles River. Containing exhibits on anatomy, physiology and health, this permanent exhibit will feature favorite exhibits from the old space as well as new offerings. Visitors can explore a variety of activities like building models, using a microscope, participating in a dissection, conducting small experiments and recording personal data to share with other visitors. In addition, the Human Body Connection will always be staffed with trained science interpreters. 

This new exhibit is more than meets the eye. Through hands-on encounters with dozens of mechanisms and display devices, visitors will be able to experience a variety of auditory and visual illusions that challenge their belief in what is "real." By changing variables that create an illusion, visitors will be able to investigate why the eye, ear and brain are susceptible to the hints and contradictions that are the basis of the trick. They will be able to test their theories about why we are equipped to interpret the world in the ways we do. 

Science in the Park
At Boston’s Museum of Science, visitors are getting physical with physics! Science in the Park, a permanent exhibit that opened October 28, puts a new twist on the familiar routine of playing in the park by offering interactive science experiences. Activities on a seesaw and swing set prompt children of all ages to wonder what forces are at work. Visitors experiment with spinning platforms, bicycle wheels and ball slides in the midst of the new exhibit that features a park-like appearance including real gazebos, colorful kites and playful wall murals. The activities allow visitors to freely change experiment variables to put their theories to the test. A neighbor and theme exhibit of the well-received Investigate! 

A See-for-Yourself Exhibit, Science in the Park explores the pushes and pulls that set things in motion, stop their motion, or hold them in place. Visitors discover the everyday applications of Newton’s laws of physics. 

The Light House: 
Beaming, Bouncing and Bending Light
This new exhibit will shed light on optics, color and the nature of light. Visitors are drawn into the exhibit by a shimmering light house and a vibrant "Optics Wall" that lets visitors immerse their whole body in the topic and experiment with a series of fascinating mirror effects. In one mirror activity, their image is "atomized" and spread over 100 mirrors. At another, visitors can turn themselves upside-down with a parabolic mirror. Visitors of all ages further explore the principles of light and optics in 18 additional hands-on activities throughout the exhibit space. They can try Optical Pinball, and take apart color with prisms. Visitors explore what light is, how it changes direction, and how color is made. The Light House will illuminate the truth behind common myths that surround the topic of light. This is the final exhibit to accompany the interactive Investigate! activity center on the second floor of the Blue Wing. Funded by the National Science Foundation. 

.Messages
In this new exhibit, visitors will discover why communication is central to everyday life. Messages gives visitors a chance to participate in communication in many ways. They learn that the way we communicate makes us uniquely human, while they participate in various activities. In an activity called "Meaning with Music," visitors select a music soundtrack to add to some silent video footage. They can see how the sound influences the tone of the action on the screen and what they perceive will happen next. In the "Language to Go" diner, visitors pretend to take food orders from people around the United States, representing different kinds of regional speech. For example, is a hoagie the same as a sub or a hero sandwich? Sponsored by Bell Atlantic Foundation, Harcourt General Charitable Foundation, and the National Science Foundation.

Permanent exhibit "Everest: Roof of the World"

"Everest: Roof of the World" is an exclusive exhibit that explores the science and history that enshroud the Himalayan Mountains. Exhibit highlights includes full-color photos and accurate maps of Mt. Everest as well as displays of state-of-the-art climbing gear. Also, created under the direction of Honorary Museum Director Bradford Washburn, the world's largest, most accurate relief model of Mt. Everest developed by Randa Scale Models made from contours from Dr. Washburn's map. Now open. Please note: this exhibit is relocated from its former location in the Nichols Gallery to the Blue Wing.

Permanent Exhibits...

Permanent Exhibit "Natural Mysteries"

A new permanent exhibit, "Natural Mysteries" sheds light on the living world around us. It's part of the Museum's long-range exhibits plan called "Science is an Activity." Learn how zoologists identify animal bones; explore a simulated beach for evidence of it's geographical location or search for clues to the history behind an old schoolhouse in New England. With the help of Museum collections and classification systems, visitors will uncover many natural mysteries. Now Open. For more information, the public can call 617/723-2500.

Permanent Exhibit "Cahners ComputerPlace"

The next step in the technology initiative at the Museum of Science, Cahners ComputerPlace brings the excitement of the hands-on discovery to the world of computers. Equipped with the latest technology, including Prosignia-CTO computer systems, Cabhers ComputerPlace features five areas: The Best Software for Kids, from The Computer Museum; the Interact; Creativity; Music and Sound; and Info Bytes. In a warm, lively environment, staffed by Museum educators and volunteers, visitors experience the myriad ways they can use computers to enhance their own lives. Be an artist or a movie-editor. Design a Web page. 

For more information, check out the 
official Museum of Science website