Cast your sights upon the heavens. Learn about astronomy and constellations. Make your own star projector model that will display images of real constellations. 

• Saturday, January 27, 2024
• 10am – 4pm
• Ticket prices: $6 Members / $20 Non-members / $5 Access Pass
• Ticket price includes all project materials and museum admission.

People have been measuring the placement of stars for thousands of years. In the early days of astronomy, tracking the skies was the best tool to keep track of time, which was fundamental for agriculture and navigation. The first planetarium to be built in modern times was constructed in Jena, Germany in 1924 by Carl Zeiss. This allowed the public to have greater access to studying the stars, thus expanding astronomy education and exploration.

A Star Projector is a miniature planetarium that combines astronomy knowledge with light projection to create a handheld cosmic exploration device.

During the Workshop learn about the major constellations, planets, and fascinating celestial phenomena. Discover the stories and myths behind these cosmic formations and how they have shaped human culture throughout history.

Activities:

• Decorate the projector base
• Create a custom set of constellation cards that swap in to the projector
• Test your star projector in a darkened room
• Observe constellations in a pop-up planetarium

Recommended Ages: Age 8 years +

What’s Included in the Ticket Price: 

• All materials and guidance –  no prior experience required!
• Museum Admission for the full day.

Ticket prices: $6 Members / $20 Non-members / $5 Access Pass

Learn how light behaves and how images are projected. Make your own pinhole projector that you can use to safely view the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse. 

• Saturday, April 6, 2024
• 10am – 4pm
• Ticket prices: Free with museum admission
• Registration is required.
• All project materials are provided.

In a pinhole projector the image you see is upside down. This is because light coming in through the small hole travels in a straight line.

This is true of our eyes as well. The pupil is the hole of the pinhole projector, so why do we not see the world upside down? What is it about our eyes, our other senses, and our brains that allow us to see the world right side up?

Other than the shape of the pupil a cow’s eye and a human’s eye are similar in structure and function. 

During the Workshop we’ll use the scientific method in dissecting a cow’s eye. We’ll learn  how human eyes work and hypothesize why our world is not viewed upside down.

The Spring MakerWorkshop is sponsored by The Simons Foundation and is part of the WonderLab Eclipse Celebration.

Activities:

• Make a pinhole projector in a box for solo viewing of the solar eclipse.
• Make a cardboard project that can be used by multiple people for solar eclipse viewing.
• Dissect a cow eyeball.

Recommended Ages: Age 8 years +

What’s Included in the Ticket Price: 

• All materials and guidance –  no prior experience required!

Ticket prices:

• Free with Museum Admission
• Registration is required

Experiment with how solar rays can be harnessed and used as energy. Use this renewable energy to cook food!

• Saturday, July 13 2024
• 10am – 4pm
• Ticket prices: $6 Members / $20 Non-members / $5 Access Pass
• Ticket price includes all project materials and museum admission.

Solar cookers are particularly useful when other sources of fuel are unavailable or to prevent the use of fossil fuels. Bonus, they do not pollute the environment when in use!

Solar ovens have been around for over 2200 years. The first documented use of solar ovens comes from an ancient Jewish sect called the Essenes. Using large flat rocks positioned under the sun, the Essenes would warm grains and other food for community meals. 

Learn about historical uses of the solar oven dating back to 200 BCE, explore how solar ovens have evolved in design over thousands of years, and experiment with how solar rays can be harnessed and used as energy. 

During the Workshop we will create solar ovens inspired by two historical designs: the “hot box” designs from scientist Horase de Saussure (1776)  and by the “directed solar rays” designs from physicist William Adams (1876). 

Activities:

• Design a prototype.
• Build your own solar oven.
• Test your oven in the WonderGarden (weather permitting).

Recommended Ages: Age 8 years +

What’s Included in the Ticket Price: 

• All materials and guidance –  no prior experience required!
• Museum Admission for the full day.

Ticket prices: Ticket prices: $6 Members / $20 Non-members / $5 Access Pass

Learn about the physics behind motion and energy. Build a colorful rocket ship that you get to take home. Participate in an exciting grand launch finale.

• Date: Saturday, September 14
• 10am – 4pm
• Ticket prices: $6 Members / $20 Non-members / $5 Access Pass
• Ticket price includes all project materials and museum admission.

A rocket needs four things to function: pressure, heat, oxygen, and fuel. Rockets use a special type of fuel called propellant that burns really fast. When the propellant is put under pressure and combined with oxygen, it creates hot gas that wants to escape.

We see all of these things come together at the bottom of the rocket, where the flames burst out of the combustion chamber and force the rocket in the opposite direction. This is called thrust, and it’s how rockets move.

 Once in space, there is no oxygen, so the rocket can continue to move until it reaches its destination. Rockets have special engines that are designed to make sure the propellant burns super fast and efficiently. Just like a car engine but much stronger!

At WonderLab we use real tools and materials. During this Workshop we will be using flammable liquid and a flame. Program instructors will review safety protocols and how to properly use tools. Please make sure those who sign up to participate are ready for this level of responsibility and safety skills.

Activities:

• Design a model rocket 
• Build a model rocket
• Launch a model rocket

Recommended Ages: Age 8 years +

What’s Included in the Ticket Price: 

• All materials and guidance –  no prior experience required!
• Museum Admission for the full day.

Ticket prices: Ticket prices: $6 Members / $20 Non-members / $5 Access Pass