Explore the Museum

Tom Shannon: Universe in the Mind | Mind in the Universe

For more than 50 years, artist and inventor Tom Shannon has been exploring the intersections of art, science and technology in unexpected, mind-bending ways. His science-inspired art is on display in Oklahoma for the first time in “Tom Shannon: Universe in the Mind | Mind in the Universe.” The exhibition features the U.S. debut of “Atom Compass Array,” an installation of hundreds of magnetic spheres suspended from the glass roof of the museum’s lobby, and within smART Space, a 6-foot edition of Shannon’s "Synchronous World Clock" created specifically for SMO, sculptures 50 feet in length and another that appears to levitate, dozens of never-before-seen pages of first drafts, sketches, observations and ideas that will give guests a look into Shannon’s creative mind, and more. Tom Shannon: Universe in the Mind | Mind in the Universe is open through Oct. 25, 2020.

Cosmic Culture: Intersections of Art and Outer Space

Originally scheduled to close in March 2020, due to COVID-19 "Cosmic Culture" will be extended through mid-September 2020 with the exception of Jacob Hashimoto's "The Other Sun," which will only be on exhibit through June 30.

Revolving around Jacob Hashimoto’s “The Other Sun,” a Minecraft-inspired installation made from 2,000 bamboo-and-paper kites, "Cosmic Culture: Intersections of Art and Outer Space" explores how space exploration and visual art have influenced each other. Circle the gallery and see 1940s and ‘50s prints from science fiction artist Chesley Bonestell — an inspiration to astronomer and astrophysicist Carl Sagan — alongside NASA images taken years later, historic star charts from around the world, planetary landscapes, the life cycle of stars, a mixed media installation from reclaimed materials, a feed of NASA images of the sun, and much more.

Featured contemporary artists include Carrie Dickason, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Cassandra Hanks, Los Angeles; Jacob Hashimoto, New York; Kysa Johnson, Los Angeles; and Darci Lenker, Norman, Oklahoma.

CurioCity

Get lost in this bustling, 20,000-square-foot city! Pronounced like "curiosity," in CurioCity's eight whimsical neighborhoods children are exposed to science through a number of interactive activities that encourage learning through play. Whether it’s storytelling, navigating obstacles, playing instruments or balancing a tightrope, there are plenty of ways to explore. Enjoy your stay in CurioCity!

Kirkpatrick Planetarium

Visit the newly-upgraded Kirkpatrick Planetarium at Science Museum Oklahoma! With multiple live shows  and full-dome movies daily, visitors to the Kirkpatrick Planetarium can spend the day exploring the cosmos. Shows are included with your admission! Always wanted to know more about Jupiter? Ever wondered how stars are born? Our astronomy experts are on hand to be your guide and answer all of your questions! Check out this week's shows and showtimes, and please note that the planetarium is closed for routine maintenance the first Monday of each month.

Light Minded

Step into the dark and explore the science of light! In Light Minded, experience the shocking beauty of the plasma tube, freeze time with the Shadow Stopper, marvel at the power of the Tesla Coil, see how strobe lights play on piano strings, snap your shadow in three colors, see your body's heat patterns in living color with an infrared camera, and much more. This brilliant gallery will leave you enlightened!

Backyard Bugs

The latest exhibit from the Oklahoma Museum Network takes Oklahoma’s amazing insects to a larger-than-life level with giant animatronic insects, interactive exhibits and live insect displays to give visitors a unique perspective of a bug’s world and reveal the fascinating complexities of our six-legged neighbors! Backyard Bugs will be at SMO through Thanksgiving 2020.

Elemental Worlds

Head to smART Space and step inside Elemental Worlds and explore your creative side! In this multimedia interactive art installation you'll use digital drawing tools to decorate and color one of 12 animals that will come to life in the 220-degree simulated digital forest — escape into creativity and relax with binaural frequencies, dynamic lighting, atmospheric effects, and the sounds of nature. The world resets every 15 minutes, but you can jump in at any time.

Science Floor

The Science Floor is the heart of the museum, with hundreds of activities to teach, entertain and astound our guests. Learn to drive on two wheels in the Segway Park, effortlessly move a 400-pound weight with the Resonant Pendulum, and much more! The Science Floor is all things science. Experience all the activities during your visit, and the chances of having a scientist in the family may increase dramatically!

Follow the Monarchs

Over a thousand paper monarch butterflies adorned with kids’ drawings and messages have migrated to Science Museum Oklahoma to roost on the Champion Tree in GadgetTrees! Collectively, these butterflies make up a traveling art exhibit called “Follow the Monarchs” coordinated by The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma and local artist Christie Hackler. Stop by the area to learn more about monarch butterflies and what you can do to help in the conservation efforts for these very important pollinators!

Tinkering Garage

In the Tinkering Garage, explore how engineering, art and technology collide. This exhibit puts the “fun” in science fundamentals. See where your creativity takes you as you design, create, invent and experiment in this all-ages, hands-on workshop. Activities in the Tinkering Garage change monthly — the only limit is your imagination!

Destination Space

What's the only state that can claim astronaut participation in every phase of NASA’s space program? It's Oklahoma! Explore Destination Space for an introduction to all things space. Train like the professionals do in the Mercury Capsule Simulator, see dozens of space artifacts, learn about the history of the Apollo program and Oklahoma's connections to the lunar landing, see real rocket engines, and much more. 

KidSpace

Designed for little hands and fresh minds, Kid Space proves that there is no such thing as being too young for science! Your little scientist can experiment at our water table, explore SMO's fire station, climb aboard a tractor, paint their face, and more in a safe and secure environment. Touch, play, learn and explore at stations and exhibits specifically targeted to engaging young minds.

Gardens

The Gardens at Science Museum Oklahoma are made up of native and Oklahoma-proven plants and include numerous gardens, an aquaculture and permaculture demonstrations, a hobby greenhouse, lawn games and garden-specific programming throughout the year like SMO's "What's Growing On" program. Learn more about our gardens >>

Aviation

Fly through the evolution of aviation, from Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings to modern aircraft in this exhibit. Explore the history and artifacts of famed Oklahoma aviator Wiley Post as you view one of the nation’s premier collections of vintage aircraft. These life-sized artifacts will send your imagination soaring as you get up close and personal with 1946 Stinson Voyager and a mint condition Mong Sport, designed by Tulsa’s own Ralph Mong in the 1950s.

Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame

The Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame recognizes pilots, inventors, scientists, researchers, managers, engineers, and military personnel throughout public and private sectors who have contributed to the exploration of the skies, the advancement of aviation and space science, the development of the aerospace industry, or the use of air power in the defense of their country. Located in the Aviation Wing, this exhibition features dozens of fascinating artifacts and biographies of the more than 170 inductees.

Mind Games

Is it real or just an illusion? Can your eyes really play tricks on you? Challenge the fine line between perception and reality as you explore a world of mind-blowing optical illusions in Mind Games. You won’t believe your eyes!

GadgetTrees

Wood you like to know a secret? You see a giant two-story tree house, a massive spiral slide, pulleys and other backyard staples — we see simple machines at work during play! Simple machines affect your life on a daily basis, whether you realize it or not. Hop on Bernoulli's Bicycle for a ride, make clouds shimmer with air cannons, see how high you can make a ball fly with force and air, and more — it's a learning experience you'll never forget.

Tiny Tracks

Step back in history to a time when the world rode the rails in Tiny Tracks. This exhibit features an M.G. Pinky Martin model train snaking through 1,000 square feet of town and countryside, a collection of railway artifacts, and the museum's fully-restored 1929 Pullman Parlor Car. Peer through the windows for a glimpse of how people traveled in style during the 20th century!

Eye On the Sky

Learn about Oklahoma's extreme weather, step into a tornado simulator, try your hand at being a weather forecaster in the Select a Sky weather studio, make cloud rings and fog, and beyond! Eye on the Sky will take you on a journey through the atmosphere.

Oceanarium

Look into the deep sea — what do you see? The museum's Oceanarium has more than 50 unique kinds of ocean life — you'll get an up-close look at the world under the sea from coral to clownfish, sea urchins to anemones, starfish to sea snails and beyond — all without the need for SCUBA gear. Oceanarium caretakers are available for your questions and if you time your visit just right, you might get to see a feeding!

Big Game Theory

In Big Game Theory, explore large-scale versions of classic board games of strategy like chess and checkers, design patterns and play with light on SMO's oversized light peg board, play with potential energy as you line up dominoes, explore engineering with giant stacking and tumbling blocks, get hands-on with physics as you build an enormous catenary arch, and more. Big Game Theory is located on the museum's second floor.

Power Play

Test your speed, strength, stamina, balance, and reaction time as you explore the science of sport, human physiology, and the power of the human body! Power Play features several interactive elements and physical challenges including a rock wall, a two-person, 50-foot dash course, a tug of war and climbing wall, a vertical jump and more.

Mighty Mouth

Learn all about your teeth and dental health in this Mighty Mouth! The hands-on experiences in these giant jaws explore the science of — and importance of — taking care of your 32 teeth.