Science Demonstrations at the Bradbury Science Museum

Bring your class to the Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos for an educational and entertaining experience. See one of the science demonstrations listed below performed by one of our education staff. Then explore the museum to learn about history and science at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Program Details

Typically, a school group spends half a day at the Museum. They will see one of the listed demonstrations, view a historical documentary about Los Alamos and spend time exploring the museum. It's all free of charge! Also check out our new program, Science on Wheels, where the BSM education staff comes to your school.

Registration

These demonstrations are available during regular museum hours. (Note that the museum does not open until 1 PM on Monday). You are also welcome to schedule a visit on any day without a demonstration. However, we request that you still call the number below to register for your visit.

To register for this free program, call the museum at 505-667-8676 with the following information:

• Name and phone number of teacher in charge
• Best time for us to reach you by phone
• Name and address of your school
• Number of students
• Number of chaperones (a minimum of 1 adult for every 10 students)
• Grade level of students
• Dates wanted (please have at least two possible dates ready)
• Demonstration wanted: see list below

Demonstrations

Static Electricity: (2nd grade and up)
Students will have a shocking good time at this demonstration! A Van de Graff generator illustrates various static phenomena, including the popular hair-raising trick. Static electricity is also harnessed to make cereal dance.

Cryogenics: (4th grade and up)
This one is a really cool demonstration! Liquid nitrogen is used to show the effects of extremely cold temperatures on three states of matter: solids, liquids and gases. Students will get a bang out of the ending of this one!

The Human Brain: (5th grade and up)
Does your brain measure up? Learn about the functions and structure of our brain, with a real human brain as a model. Also learn about brain mapping techniques developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This one will get you thinking so BYOB - bring your own brain!
*Some cultures may be sensitive to this demo. Please be aware of your students' concerns.

Air Around Us (4th grade and up)
Show your students that air is really there! This series of demonstrations uses vacuum pumps, bell jars, wind bags and more to demonstrate the properties of air.

Arthropods (2nd grade and up)
Every bug is an insect, but every insect is NOT a bug! Learn about the parts of an insect and the various orders of insects. Live arthropods will assist the museum staff with this demonstration.