The Lawrence Hall of Science

The public science center of the University of California, Berkeley.

Outdoor Nature Lab

Wednesday–Sunday
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Closed December 24 & 25

Entrance downstairs on C-Level

Accessible

Outdoor Nature Lab: Access the Outdoor Nature Lab from downstairs on C level. Walk past room E and the restrooms to find the entrance to the Outdoor Nature Lab.

Explore nature and connect with the various organisms that call our backyard "home," in this new outdoor experience at The Lawrence. Follow wherever your curiosity takes you and get hands-on with the local flora and fauna. From birding with binoculars to observing the bees and other pollinators, you will learn about skills and tools that can help you observe nature anywhere there is a patch of green.

Nature Mystery
Experience

Become a Nature Detective and investigate a mystery that has occurred within the Outdoor Nature Lab! Put your observation skills to the test as you analyze 4 pieces of evidence to try and determine which animal (or animals?!) are to blame for the mystery.

Follow your curiosity

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Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt

Grab one of our self-guided scavenger hunts to get a taste of everything The Robert and Elizabeth Karplus Outdoor Nature Lab has to offer! Explore nature, make your own observations about local flora and fauna, and more.

  • Hand Lenses
    Grab one of our hand-lenses of assorted sizes to observe our natural world up-close. Choose any of our hand-lenses and practice making observation, looking for patterns, asking questions, and uncovering the hidden secrets of nature.
  • Up-Close Viewers
    We have 2 different types of closed-magnifying viewers you can use to put natural artifacts inside for closer examination and discovery.  Anything can go into these viewers except for animals (such as bees, wasps, butterflies, etc.). They can examine flowers, acorns, leaves, fungus, lichen, and more!
  • Nature Journaling
    Use our clipboards, colored pencils, and blank paper to create your own nature journal. Practice recording observations and questions, as well as capturing what you see all around you.

Nature
Photography

Monday–Thursday, until July 20

Help us test out a new activity for the Outdoor Nature Lab! Grab your phone, or borrow one of our devices and become a nature photographer. Follow our prompts to search for and photograph specific natural phenomena, then share your photos with our facilitators to earn a small prize. Plus, submit your photos and they might appear on our website, social media, or on a screen next to the Outdoor Nature Lab.

Nature
Photography

A bee has landed on yellow flowers

Monday–Thursday, until July 20

Help us test out a new activity for the Outdoor Nature Lab! Grab your phone, or borrow one of our devices and become a nature photographer. Follow our prompts to search for and photograph specific natural phenomena, then share your photos with our facilitators to earn a small prize. Plus, submit your photos and they might appear on our website, social media, or on a screen next to the Outdoor Nature Lab

Bird
Bonanza!

Daily, 2:30–4:00 p.m.

This summer, explore high-flying avian science with up to three new bird activities in this new Outdoor Nature Lab experience! Bird Bonanza activities will rotate between the following:

  • Bird Beak Buffet
    Explore why woodpeckers have suck narrow beaks, or why hummingbirds are able to drink nectar, with a hands-on game focused around the diversity of bird beaks around the Outdoor Nature Lab. Once you finish testing each beak in a timed game, explore the grounds of the Outdoor Nature Lab and see if you can uncover what other types of birds we might have.
  • Build-a-Bird ID
    Observe various images of bird beaks, feet, and wings, and discuss how each different type can help birds survive. Then, put your knowledge and creativity to the test to design, draw, and color your very own Bird-ID card. You choose the size, shape, colors, and patterns for the bird and then bring it to life with our art materials. Once finished, you may take home your creation or leave it here to share with others! And who knows, perhaps your bird design will be featured around the Outdoor Nature Lab!
  • Birding Scavenger Hunt
    Hidden around the Outdoor Nature Lab are 6 hand-painted birds, all in locations where you would normally find them in nature. Using our new scavenger hunt and Bird-ID guide, see if you have what it takes to find them all! For each one that you find, use our guide and practice your birding skills to uncover the name and true identity of the bird!

Who are Robert and Elizabeth Karplus?

The Outdoor Nature Lab is named in honor of Robert & Elizabeth Karplus. Learn more about their legacy and connection to UC Berkeley and The Lawrence Hall of Science.

Learn More

Sunprint
Sundays

Sundays, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Through August 13

Join us each Sunday this summer to create art using the power of the sun! Harness the power of UV light to create a collectible image that you can take home and share with family and friends.  Kits are also available to purchase in our Discovery Store during normal business hours, as well as our online store.

Plan Your Visit

Admission

General

Age 3+: $20

Kids under 2: FREE

Members: FREE

Learn More >

3D Theater

$4 + Admission

Planetarium

$4 + Admission

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