If you’re looking for an engaging, fun place to learn about science, the California Science Center is for you. Located in Los Angeles, the center has developed a robust selection of permanent exhibits on a variety of topics, from the human body and space exploration to plants and ecosystems.
The center’s exhibits feature a plethora of galleries and hands-on activities that educate visitors about science in an entertaining, impactful way. The following is a list of three of the best permanent exhibits to visit at the California Science Center.
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Ecosystems
The California Science Center’s permanent exhibits include Ecosystems. It explores the relationship between living things and the environment, specifically how they adapt to and interact with each other. This exhibit features eight zones, including from Extreme and Forest zones to River and Island zones.
Each of these zones features activities and exhibits that teach about ecosystems and how living things adapt to them. For example, The Extreme Zone allows visitors learn how living organisms have adapted to such harsh places as deserts and the poles, as well as deep sea vents and rocky shores.
In the Island Zone, visitors can stop by the anole enclosure to learn how these lizards have adapted to island life. This zone also features an area with live reef fish found only in the waters surrounding Hawaii.
The Ecosystem’s Forest Zone allows visitors to learn about both rain forests and kelp forests. The latter section includes a tunnel through a 188,000-gallon tank with views of a beautiful kelp forest similar to that found in the waters of Southern California. Visitors can see a variety of plants and animals typically found in these forests, including leopard sharks and bat rays.
In the River Zone, visitors can stop by the Carving a Landscape section. This area allows participants to construct a dam and dig a channel to explore how water flow changes with their creations. The River Zone also includes a section called Don’t Get Carried Away, which allows guests to see how various shapes perform in rivers. They can use a hand-powered river to see how different body types perform in the current.
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Creative World
The California Science Center’s permanent collections also include Creative World, which explores the advances of human beings in the areas of transportation and structures. This exhibit includes a section dedicated to structures. There, visitors can learn about the science behind such structures as suspension bridges and buildings.
This area features a mini shake table for building structures and learning how to assess whether they could withstand an earthquake. The Creative World exhibit even features an Earthquake Experience. This allows visitors to feel a simulated earthquake and learn how to be more prepared for these natural phenomena.
The transportation gallery of the Creative World area includes an area dedicated to fuel cell technology and the implications of this technology for California. Visitors to this area can also participate in a mini solar race car competition in which competitors control their light-powered car with a joystick. Also, this area includes a wind funnel that allows visitors to experiment with various aerodynamic vehicle designs.
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World of Life
The World of Life exhibit explores the connections between all living things and the processes they have in common. This area of the center features five galleries, including Energy Factory. This gallery teaches about the various ways that different organisms in just and process food to obtain energy.
One of the other highlights of World of Life is Tess, a huge, transparent, 50-foot body simulator. Tess and her cartoon friend Walt explain to visitors explain how the human body maintains homeostasis, or balance.
World of Life also includes a gallery called Digestion Diner, which features a real human digestive tract. Visitors can learn about the long path food takes as it works its way through the human digestive system. This area even demonstrates the sounds that the human digestive tract makes as food makes its way through the digestive system.
The World of Life exhibit also includes a gallery called Supply Network. This gallery explores how various organisms, from human beings to one-celled organisms, obtain the supplies they need and then get rid of unnecessary material through waste.
Supply Network also features a section called Blood and Hearts. This area provides information on a variety of topics, from the amount of blood in an elephant’s body to the heartbeat of a mouse. The gallery also includes a related section called Blood Highways. This fascinating area allows visitors to see how a red blood cell works its way through the circulatory system.
The above three exhibits represent just a small fraction of all that the California Science Center has to offer. The center also features a rotating menu of exciting special exhibits throughout the year. Before visiting, be sure to check the center’s website for updates to permanent and temporary exhibits to make the most of your visit to this fascinating educational center in Southern California.
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