by Kimberley Heit

Created on: October 27, 2008   Last Updated: November 25, 2008

If you associate the word museum with boredom, the Exploratorium in San Francisco, California might make you reconsider. A visit to the Exploratorium is a sensory experience with hands on activities that arouse the curiosity of both adults and children alike. The museum which showcases science, technology and art exhibits is visited by more then a million people each year.

The Exploratorium was founded by physicist Dr. Frank Oppenheimer in 1969. Oppenheimer believed that the best way to teach people about science was to make it enjoyable. In creating the Exploratorium the philosophy was to bring science to the people in exciting displays that could help people of all different experience levels learn through discovery. Frank Oppenheimer stayed actively involved in the running of the museum until his death in 1985.

All of the exhibits at the Exploratorium have been creatively produced with input from scientists, teachers and artists. Some of the most popular exhibits to visit at the Exploratorium include:

-The Wave Organ-hear what bubbles, ripples and murmurs of water sound like from the acoustic pipes on the shore of the San Francisco Bay. The museum has a set up a striking stone sculptural area complete with wide benches for visitors to sit and listen.

-The Tactile Dome-the Tactile Dome is a dark maze that you navigate your way through by using your sense of touch. This exhibit which was created in 1971 is still one of the most popular attractions today. If you would like to visit this exhibit make sure you make a reservation at the front desk.

-The Seeing gallery-this gallery houses artwork which explores the artists' viewpoints on visual perception.

-Traits of life-this exhibit demonstrates the commonalities between all living things. Pretend to be a lab technician and learn about the functions of DNA by looking at cells down a microscope. There are also displays on fungi and bacteria, and other living organisms to behold.

-The matter world-see what the world in made of with displays on electricity, motion and temperature.

-Listen- put on reverse ears to hear sounds as an animal would, swap movie soundtracks to see what effect sound has on emotions or listen to the interesting jukebox sounds.

There are also lectures to attend, demonstrations and films to watch, a multimedia learning library, stores, a cafe and self guided tours to undertake. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am till 5pm daily. Adult ticket prices are approximately $14 with varying discounts for children, seniors and students.

The San Francisco Exploratorium is located a short distance from the Golden Gate Bridge in the Palace of Fine arts at 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco. Free parking is available in the area.

If you do not have the ability to get to the museum you can still get involved. There are many interactive activities that the Exploratorium hosts online.The website features thousands of pages of information and features many sections which people can participate in from the comfort of their home. Head to http://www.exploratorium.edu

The Exploratorium, San Francisco- Experiment and discover to your hearts content!

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