Red Fox

Red Fox – Native to Northern Hemisphere Did you know that red foxes are the most widespread meat-eating mammals on Earth? Other than humans of course. They live across much of the northern hemisphere, in open areas like woodlands, wetlands, and brushy fields. With a tail over half its body length, the red fox is… Continue reading

Vinyl Record, 33 1/3 RPM

Vinyl Record, 33 1/3 RPM – ca. 1965 Have you ever wondered what a steam train sounds like? You’re not alone! Semaphore Recording Company produced this vinyl record, “Doubleheader – a Double Feature of Steam Railroading Thrills” in 1965 to capture the sounds of steam engines in operation for enthusiasts before they vanished. On this… Continue reading

Model Submarine

Model Submarine – Nautilus SSN 571 70 years ago in January 1954, the world’s first nuclear powered submarine was launched. Named after Captain Nemo’s submarine from the 1870 novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, the Nautilus was a large vessel at 323 feet long with a crew of 104. However, her pressurized-water nuclear reactor… Continue reading

Vote for the Saint Louis Science Center!

The Saint Louis Science Center has been recognized as one of the top science centers and free museums in the United States of America! We’re honored that Newsweek magazine has nominated our institution for their Readers’ Choice Award in the Best Free Museum category. We hope that you will vote for us!   Voting has… Continue reading

Ancient Oil Lamp ca. 3rd – 4th century AD

This bronze double-wicked oil lamp from Ancient Rome features a winged dragon handle and an owl decorated lid covering the body opening. In some cases, oil lamps were a status symbol in the ancient world. Wealthy families used and displayed lamps made of metal, a higher quality material than stone, clay, shell, or glass. Many… Continue reading

Man looking at the stars. Alone man looking at starry sky. Night sky.

Venus & The Planets of May

The planets and Moon will NOT form a smiley face in the sky this month. Watch as Will debunks a common space myth and shows us where to look to find other planets in May’s night sky. Connect with Curiosity

Collections – Wall mounted gas lamp, 19th century

The flammability of coal gas was discovered by accident in the 1730s, yet gas was not applied as a practical lighting method for widespread use until the 1790s. Even then, most people distrusted gas fixtures inside the home and did not universally incorporate them until the 1880s. Gas lamps of the Victorian era, like this… Continue reading

The Planetarium Goes Dark

The lights at the iconic McDonnell Planetarium have gone dark this month. Watch as Will explains why we’ve teamed up with the Saint Louis Zoo, Gateway Arch, and the Missouri Botanical Garden in an effort to reduce light pollution in the city of St. Louis. Connect with Curiosity

Saint Louis Science Center Collections A to Z

The Science Center’s Collections Department cares for and preserves a wide variety of artifacts, some of which may surprise you! From animals to fossils, ancient pottery to meteorites, space toys to medical tools, here you can discover a selection of wonderful things from A-Z. Connect with curiosity!

Positively Shocking!

When Robert J. Van De Graff invented his generator in 1929, he probably didn’t expect it would become one of the most widely-used tools to teach people about electrostatics! Originally developed as a particle accelerator to be used in physics research, Van De Graff Generators produce high-voltage, direct current (DC) electricity. This high voltage can… Continue reading