The Lawrence Hall of Science
The public science center of the University of California, Berkeley.
Open Daily 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Animal Discovery Zone 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
We’ll bring our science programs to you.
We partner with school districts to support science learning. We offer district-wide elementary, middle, and high school programs, either virtually or in-person.
We collaborate with a range of partners to innovate in science education. Together, we go further.
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In this summer pop-up, use human facial expressions and emotions to explore how AIs perceive the world around them.
With our international colony of teaching animals—from chinchillas to box turtles—you can learn about animal behavior and habitats. Our knowledgeable staff will introduce you to our wonderful creatures and share fun stories and interesting facts about them.
Music means many things to many people, but at its core, all music is built on the same scientific and mathematical principles. In our latest exhibition, nurture your inner musician as you discover the math of music and the science of sound. The exhibition features a variety of instruments and other music-making tools that will help visitors uncover the science behind musical melodies, harmonies, beats, and more.
Hands-on Biotech focuses on discovering the microscopic worlds inside all living things and sparking curiosity about how life’s processes can help us answer questions and solve problems.
Visit Biotech Beach on A-level to explore different sand samples to find small plastic particles that can accumulate on beaches and in the ocean. Learn more about the atomic structure of plastics and hear how UC Berkeley scientists are researching a solution by designing a new kind of plastic that is infinitely recyclable. Our friends at the Ecology Center also have some information you can take home with strategies for reducing our reliance on disposable plastics.
Discover what it’s like to see your favorite bugs up close and personal with augmented reality! Scan QR codes to create 3D models of astonishing animals that you can explore with your family to investigate what makes them unique. Then, you can work together to figure out what your new friends eat and feed them to help care for the critters!
Explore the dynamics of flight by designing, building, and testing your own paper airplanes. Use one of our easy-to-follow “flight plans” or experiment with your own custom airplane designs, then test your aircraft using our mechanical launchers.
From the native vegetation to a range of guided and self-driven experiences, the Robert and Elizabeth Karplus Outdoor Nature Lab provides a unique space where all visitors will make close observations of, and deepen their connection with, the natural environment.
Climb on a life-sized replica of a teenage fin whale—the second largest whale in the world!
Experience science on the big screen in our dynamic 3D Theater. Watch as stunning visuals from popular science films pop out and make a BIG impact.
Join in the exploration as you and your child experiment with our colorful gear wall, see what flies the highest in our wind tube, and investigate motion on our gravity wall. Start discovering science, get creative, and develop new skills in this area designed specially for your little explorers.
From African Elephants to Whooping Cranes, the diversity of animals that call our planet home is breathtaking. This permanent installation features stunning photography from the National Geographic Photo Ark by renowned photographer Joel Sartore. His intimate photos aim to forge connections to these animals and inspire action to save them. Join us in Celebrating Nature’s Diversity!
Experience the shape of a double helix firsthand by climbing inside our massive DNA sculpture. DNA in your trillions of cells carries the genetic messages that make you you. Climb through the “horizontal ladder” of the supersize DNA sculpture on the Hall’s plaza. Experience the twists and turns of DNA’s double helix shape, and get inspired to learn more about the biology of life.
Peer through and climb on to explore this 18-foot high granite, outdoor astronomical sculpture. Sunstones II links science with art, and even offers special viewing of astronomical events.
Explore the universe and survey the night sky, all from your seat. Our planetarium programs are live and interactive, so bring your questions and curiosity.
Any visitor of any age can be an architect, a builder, an engineer, or a designer with KEVA planks. See how high, how intricate, and how stable you can make your structure as you work with form and balance.
Flex Your Design Muscles. It’s fun to use your ingenuity to solve problems and meet challenges! By approaching things in creative ways, and by applying your own talents and skills, you can discover solutions that are uniquely you.
Design Quest inspires kids to come up with their own ideas, build prototypes, and test their designs to see if they can rise to the challenge. Check out what you can do in Design Quest today.
Step into our interactive, outdoor science park to learn how water erosion, earthquakes, weather, and other geologic forces have worked together to create the Bay Area landscape.
Science On a Sphere (SOS)® is a three-dimensional video projection of our planet. This six-foot globe hovers in the air and displays stunning visual effects, like weather patterns, that are based on actual scientific data.
Explore the scientific discoveries and innovations of The Lawrence’s namesake, Ernest Orlando Lawrence. His invention of the first cyclotron earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1939, the first UC Berkeley scientist to win the prize in any discipline.
The paper sculptures in this exhibit may look like aliens from another planet, but they are actually “time travelers” from some 540 million years ago. Long before the dinosaurs appeared, Earth’s ocean was filled with amazing life forms like these.