Exhibits
Science In The Park
The Science of the Familiar
This park-like setting invites visitors to run, jump, swing, and use familiar objects like playground equipment and bicycle parts to investigate the pushes and pulls of everyday life: the forces that set things in motion, stop their motion, or hold them in place.
This permanent exhibit, developed in conjunction with the Investigate! activity center, exercises more than your muscles. It challenges your scientific thinking skills, inviting you to ask questions, hypothesize, gather and weigh evidence, and draw your own conclusions. With activity at the core of this exhibit, you'll not only apply your thinking skills to the mechanics of movement, you'll also set most of the experiments in motion.
Observe harmonic motion by hopping onto swings to measure how long it takes to go back and forth. See a seesaw in a new light by balancing on it with a friend, or race balls on different slides to determine which is the fastest. To get a feel for momentum, twirl like an ice skater and compare your speed with one leg extended versus having both legs tucked in. Race other visitors—or a fast-moving row of lights—to get a sense of your speed at a hop, a walk, or a skip.
| Format | Exhibit |
| Grades | Pre-K – Adult |
| Location | Blue Wing, Level 2 — Museum of Science, Boston |
| Website | n/a |
Support Provided By:
Science In The Park
+ View Detailed Standard Connections
Primary Connections:
MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)
- Physics > Motion and Forces (Grade: 9 – 10)
- Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) > Motion of Objects (Grade: 6 – 8)
National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)
- Physical Science > Motions and forces (Grade: 5 – 8)
- Physical Science > Position and motion of objects (Grade: K – 4)
- Physical Science > Position and motion of objects (Grade: K – 4)
- Physical Science > Position and motion of objects (Grade: K – 4)
- Physical Science > Position and motion of objects (Grade: K – 4)
Secondary Connections:
National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)
- Physical Science > Motions and forces (Grade: 5 – 8)
- Physical Science > Motions and forces (Grade: 9 – 12)
References:
MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)
- Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) > Position and Motion of Objects (Grade: K – 2)
– View Concise Standard Connections
Primary Connections:
MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)
- Physics > 1.0 Motion and Forces (Grade: 9 – 10)
Broad Concept: Newton's laws of motion and gravitation describe and predict the motion of most objects. - Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) > 11 Motion of Objects (Grade: 6 – 8)
Explain and give examples of how the motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, and speed.
National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)
- Physical Science > Motions and forces (Grade: 5 – 8)
The motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, and speed. That motion can be measured and represented on a graph. - Physical Science > Position and motion of objects (Grade: K – 4)
The position of an object can be described by locating it relative to another object or the background. - Physical Science > Position and motion of objects (Grade: K – 4)
The position and motion of objects can be changed by pushing or pulling. The size of the change is related to the strength of the push or pull. - Physical Science > Position and motion of objects (Grade: K – 4)
An object's motion can be described by tracing and measuring its position over time. - Physical Science > Position and motion of objects (Grade: K – 4)
Sound is produced by vibrating objects. The pitch of the sound can be varied by changing the rate of vibration.
Secondary Connections:
National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)
- Physical Science > Motions and forces (Grade: 5 – 8)
An object that is not being subjected to a force will continue to move at a constant speed and in a straight line. - Physical Science > Motions and forces (Grade: 9 – 12)
Gravitation is a universal force that each mass exerts on any other mass. The strength of the gravitational attractive force between two masses is proportional to the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
References:
MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)
- Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) > 05 Position and Motion of Objects (Grade: K – 2)
Recognize that under some conditions, objects can be balanced.
Science In The Park
Evaluated on n/a
Comments:
Science In The Park
Schedules
This event has no schedules.
Science In The Park
List of Related Offerings
Live Presentation
4 - 12
- Cool Concepts: Fantastic Forces
- Discover how a magician's tablecloth, exploding newspaper, pencil-gun, bullwhip, or rocket car dramatically demonstrates relations between mass, velocity, acceleration, and force as described by Newton's Laws of Motion. (details)
Field Trip Activity
3 - 5
- Investigate! Data Collection Sheet
- This worksheet supports the Investigate! exhibit learning objectives to ask questions, control variables and collect data. It works best when students have practiced using this sheet in a classroom investigation before coming to the Museum. Students can collect data in an exhibit and, with the help ... (details)
