Education

The Exploratorium is a public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception. Our mission is to create inquiry-based experiences that transform learning worldwide. We develop innovative learning environments, enthusiastic leaders, and new knowledge for teacher professional development.

Advancing Ideas about Learning

At the Exploratorium, we view learning broadly and believe there are different ways of learning and knowing: through direct experience with phenomena, through art, through dialogue, and through tinkering. We work to change the way the world learns and to promote equal access to these powerful ways of learning about the world.

Relating Research to Practice

Making educational research available to informal educators.

Center for Informal Learning in Schools

Research and leadership programs

Visitor Research and Evaluation

Research about learning in informal environments.

Changing the Way Science Is Taught

For most students, science is still defined by textbook chapter assignments on Monday and vocabulary quizzes on Friday. Regrettably, students experience science in an interactive way in perhaps less than 10 percent of science classrooms. The Exploratorium is working to change that.

Teacher Institute

Professional development for secondary school science teachers

Institute for Inquiry

Inquiry-based professional development

Creating Learning & Teaching Experiences

The Exploratorium provides science learning programs for children and youth from throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Critical to these programs are opportunities for learners to be teachers (just as our programs for professional educators provide opportunities for teachers to be learners).

XTech

Technology for underserved youth

High School Explainer Program
A learning and teaching program.
Community Educational Engagement

Fostering a community of learners

Designing Teaching and Learning Tools

Homeschool Science Programs

Supplement your homeschool science program.

Science Snacks

Low-cost, teacher-tested activities for the classroom and the curious.

Publications
Digital Library: Photos, Video, Audio, Printables

Browse our collections.