Taking the Kids: One of the country's top attractions for kids and a museum like none other

By Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency on Apr 17, 2014

It all began more than 45 years ago when a physicist and science teacher named Frank Oppenheimer decided he wanted to transform science education by making it hands-on and fun.

Ever since, Exploratorium scientists, builders and teachers have pioneered ways to make science more fun with exhibits that explore biology, physics, how we see and listen, how we behave and how art intersects science (there are artists in residence) -- all hands-on, of course.

I loved "Team Pac-Man," which demonstrates how people interact by working together -- or not -- and the Wisdom Arc Time Machine where you can give advice to your younger self on a computer and read others' entries. Megan, 19, told her 14-year-old self, "Grades are not nearly as important as you think!"

Over the years, more than 1,000 interactive exhibits have been built on site (you can watch museum staffers working on new ones); 80 percent of science centers around the world use Exploratorium exhibits, programs or ideas.

Now there is an even greater emphasis on the environment from the environmentally-friendly design, complete with rainwater collection. Pump air into the algae chandelier or check out the plankton populations via a table-sized interactive display. Explore how the microscopic life in San Francisco Bay is constantly changing. Observe how the color of the water changes.

Real-time data from the "Wired Pier" sensors and other scientific instruments around Piers 15 and 17, are presented on a high-definition video wall inside the Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery.

Exploratorium aficionados will be glad to know that the Tactile Dome (one of my kids' all-time favorite museum exhibits) is back and larger. (Make a reservation in advance!) Can you make it through a pitch-black environment just by touch?

"This is a great place for kids!" declared Katie Irvin, visiting with her family from Seattle.

For grown-ups too, Katie.

========

Read Eileen's San Francisco trip diaries at www.takingthekids.com and check out her latest Kids City Guide, The Kid's Guide to Boston, available online and at major booksellers. Her Kid's Guide to San Francisco will be out later this year. Reach out to @takingthekids on Twitter or Facebook.