Masks and vaccinations are recommended. Plan your visit
Free for Donors and Daytime Members.
Note: There is limited capacity for this program; seating will be made available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
Open your eyes to the physics of natural phenomena with Exploratorium scientist Ron Hipschman. In this dynamic series, surprising visuals, real-time and recorded experiments, and intriguing objects illuminate wide-ranging presentations on topics such as color, time, fireworks, science fiction, and the universe. Each program is focused for general or adults-only audiences, and conversation is encouraged to help everyone find the same wavelength.
Since joining the Exploratorium in 1971, Ron Hipschman has worked as an exhibit developer, author, teacher, and webcast host. He currently works on the Exploratorium’s Environmental Initiative, implementing and maintaining a collection of environmental monitoring sensors and developing visualizations for the Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery’s super-resolution media wall. In addition to Full-Spectrum Science, Ron hosts the monthly After Dark series Tales from the Periodic Table.
Spiders the size of minivans, or people the size of blood cells, are the things of science fiction, and would not survive in the real world. Come find out why in this edition of Full-Spectrum Science.
Are the primary colors really red, yellow, and blue? What you learned in elementary school may be mistaken. How can you get the color yellow from mixing red and green together? Watch and find out.
Learn about light and color and how to find and create them in your world.
At Full-Spectrum Science: Countdown to Mars, examine past missions to Mars and look ahead to the landing and roving of NASA's newest rover, Perseverance.
Join Exploratorium scientist Ron Hipschman to find out what's special about laser light, how it's made, and how it's used in everything from Blu-ray to eye surgery to fusion energy research.
This Pride month, we'll look at the rainbow—from its meaning in the Pride flag to the optics of rainbows to rainbows in art and popular culture. You’ll even learn how to make rainbows of your own.
Is growth always good? The biggest threat to our existence on planet Earth isn’t asteroids—it’s us. Why can’t our population continue to grow? Learn about the exponential function and the conclusions we can draw from it.
What's going on inside the nucleus of an atom? Why does it spit out radiation? Did you know that you are exposed to radioactivity every day? Learn the facts about this somewhat controversial topic.
Come see our winter exhibitions before the year is over! Explore Glow and Curious Contraptions and close out the year with our staff scientist Ron Hipschman and Full-Spectrum Science.
Are the primary colors really red, yellow, and blue? How can you get yellow from mixing red and green together? Bring your most colorful questions to this vivid presentation.
Explore ways to make color—from neon signs to oil slicks to rainbows and more. Learn all about light, how it is made and interacts, and take home materials to build your own spectroscope.
If you’ve ever wondered where your flying car or rocket belt is, or why you don’t yet have a robot servant, find out at Full-Spectrum Science.