Scheduled Times - Level 4
Welcome to Dr. Dare’s Lab, where you can explore science with hands-onexperiments and activitiesfor guests of all ages!
We provide everything you’ll need to perform each experiment in a space designed to get you excited about science with a different theme each month. The lab is open on weekends and select other times; see the calendar for more information on our hours of operation.
Check out the Building Guide to see what’s happening during your visit.
Open Experiments
The main programming for Dr. Dare’s Lab. Come on in and have a seat at any open station, where you’ll be greeted by one of several different experiments and an iPad with instructions you can flip through to learn all about that activity.
Our experiments take complex science concepts and make them easy to understand and can be about anything from physics to chemistry and more!
January - Health
Get hands-on with fun science experiments focused on physical and mental health.
- Ancient Perfume Cone: Create an aromatic cone by measuring and mixing components.
- Vitamin C: Mix different substances to see how vitamins protect your body.
- Minerals In your Morning Breakfast: Extract iron from breakfast cereal.
February - Spark STEM Fest
Enjoy a classic science experience in our microscope lab! Learn how to use 3 different types, compound, digital, and stereoscopic! Bring in a pocket-sized item or smaller to see it under the microscope (NO LIVE ANIMALS).
March - Engineering
Learn about the engineering design process with this month’s engineering themed experiments!
- Strongest Shape: Compare how different shapes in architecture stand up to the forces of nature.
- Popsicle Stick Catapult: Assemble a catapult from popsicle sticks and launch pompom balls.
- Coding with Ozobot: Code robots to follow a path you create with colors.
April - Conservation
Investigate nature up close with wildlife and aquatic themed experiments
- Owl Pellets: Dissect owl pellets to learn about owl diets and the anatomy of their prey.
- Unseen World: Use magnifying tools to get an up-close look at the different textures that can be found in nature.
- Watch Out Watershed: Observe how terrain and gravity affect how water flows.
May - Physics
Fall into physics in this month’s lab where we learn about the science of sound, matter, and displacement!
- Can You Hear Me Now: Make a telephone using a string and cups and see how sound travels through solids.
- Gooey Oobleck: Measure out and mix ingredients to create a non-Newtonian fluid.
- No Mess Magic: Observe how air's mass displaces water while you try to keep a paper towel dry.
July - Aerospace
Learn about the science that affects aerial travel with our aerospace themed experiments.
- Must Be Magnets: Observe how the different shapes of magnets affect magnetic fields.
- Projectile Motion: Adjust launch angles to learn how the arch of a projectile affects its landing.
- Popsicle Stick Catapult: Assemble a catapult from popsicle sticks and launch pompom balls.
July - Forensics
Dive into the science of investigation and how we uncover clues to solve mysteries.
- Fingerprinting: Use ink and graphite to take your own fingerprint and learn about the different patterns of fingerprints.
- Powder Analysis: Compare samples of different household powders to find the match to the one found at the crime scene.
- Kastle-Meyer Test: Create a color changing chemical reaction to figure out the tool used for the crime.
August - Science Literacy
Celebrate science literacy with fun experiments that explain big science concepts.
- Hungry Hungry Animals: See how competition has shaped the way animals have evolved over time.
- Like Magic: Mix different chemicals to produce different colors based on pH.
- Erupting Toilets: Make an erupting mess with a vinegar and baking soda chemical reaction.
September - Maker
Explore your creativity with hands-on science experiments in this month's Maker themed Dr. Dare's Lab.
- DIY Dye: Crush dried cochineal and change its PH to create different colored fabric dye.
- Fabric Burn Test: Identify a fabric based on a scrap by noting its properties when burned.
- Iridescence: Identify the acidity of a mixture based on the way it changes colors.
October - Chemistry
Become a chemist as you mix, burn, and extract in these reactive experiments.
- Erupting Toilets: Make an erupting mess with a vinegar and baking soda chemical reaction.
- Fireworks: Learn fire safety while creating colorful chemical reactions with an open flame.
- Chemystery: Identify the acidity of a mixture based on the way it changes colors.
November - Astronomy
Learn about space in a fluorescent black light version of Dr. Dare’s Lab with our Cosmic Lab.
- Blacklight Phone Hack: Turn your phone flashlight into a blacklight.
- Shooting Stars: Learn why we see streaks of light when looking at a shooting stars.
- Defying Gravity: Observe how water can flow against gravity with fluorescent chalk markers.
December - Ancient History
Explore the world of all things ancient with a mix of paleontology and archaeology themed experiments.
- Mummify Fred: Discover the mummification process with Fred the rubber chicken.
- Tar Pit Oobleck: Find out how the La Brea tar pits have preserved ancient fossils.
- Who Dunnit: How did the dinosaurs go extinct? Create your own extinction event with baking soda and vinegar, and rocks and sand.
Takeovers
Join us for a fun time in Dr. Dare’s Lab hosted by community partners! Takeovers mean that instead of our regular fare, you’ll get to try out activities chosen and run by a community partner or third party.
These activities are only around for a limited time each month. Stay up to date on Takeovers by checking out our calendar.
Workshops
Workshops are a special type of longer form programming that explores an experiment or activity in depth. During a workshop, groups of guests will be given a task and are instructed on the techniques used to complete their activity. These generally take between 45 minutes to an hour, although durations are subject to change with each workshop, and are ticketed events.
Stop by the lab 15 minutes before the start time to collect your ticket. You only need 1 ticket per group. Space is limited.
Special Events
Dr. Dare’s Lab is also open for certain special events! Whether you’re joining us for Science Night Live (OSC’s 21+ event), Break Camps, or something else, you’ll find exciting experiments for every member of the family!
