The Exploratorium Experience

Today, I took the kids to a science hands-on museum in San Francisco. The museum was spacious with a lot of science displays which kids could touch, pick up, play or tinker with. There were hundreds of exhibits dealing with the mysteries of the mind, sound, solar system, earth, weather, human body, and anything scientific that you can think of. It was so fun to see old and young having fun and learning about the world that surrounds us. I would have to say, though, it was very hard for me to keep track of all four (Gillian's friend, Emily, was with us as well) each going in different directions. There were so many exhibits that the kids went all wild. I didn't actually expect them wanting to try every experiment or check every exhibit, but they were totally into it. I try to read most of the information to them, but then again most of the time they would be doing each different things that my time was spent more on knowing where they were than in reading. Nevertheless, I didn't feel guilty for not fulfilling my educational role as their teacher; they actually didn't need it. Many time they would tell me what they were learning. It's interesting how much children learn from hands-on experiments. Here are some of the many things they got to see and touch:

Making their own musical instruments

Trying to make the biggest bubble

Building an arch all by themselves

Learning about sand and wind

Making clouds

Learning about air and pressure

Puzzling over patterns and perception

Experimenting with pulleys

Observing a vortex being created

We stayed at the museum till it closed at 5:00, and then took a leisurely stroll by the Palace of the Fine Arts. I'm so glad my children learned so much and had a great time. Next time, however, I will take another adult with me, so I can learn some too.