Matter Factory

Matter Factory

Explore the building blocks of matter as you immerse yourself in the Periodic Table of the Elements!

Virtual Exhibit
3D Field Trip Coming Soon
Ages
5+
Admission
Included with General Admission
Perfect For
Puzzle Solvers
Scientists
Techies & Gamers
Location
First Floor, enter off Kids' Hall
Accessibility
See Accessibility
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are the state standards for Texas public schools from kindergarten to year 12.
TEKS
Science
About the exhibit

Everything in the world is made of matter composed of different elements! And the Periodic Table of Elements provides a fundamental framework for studying the building blocks of the physical world - elements and atoms. When you explore Matter Factory you interact with exhibit components that illustrate elements’ unique properties, the organizational structure of the Periodic Table, properties of matter and the roles elements and compounds play in our everyday experiences.

Educators

Matter Factory is a fantastic place for students to learn about classification of elements, chemical and physical properties of matter and application of this knowledge to the development of tools and products that affect our every-day lives.  From exploring nano-science concepts in Super Small Matter Lab, to learning the elemental composition of our bodies, Matter Factory provides many opportunities to learn something new about the chemistry of the world in which we live.

Virtual Exhibit
3D Field Trip Coming Soon
Ages
5+
Admission
Included with General Admission
Perfect For
Puzzle Solvers
Scientists
Techies & Gamers
Location
First Floor, enter off Kids' Hall
disability Accessibility
See Accessibility
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are the state standards for Texas public schools from kindergarten to year 12.
TEKS
Science
CONSIDER WEARING A MASK
Please consider wearing a mask. Feeling sick? Come back when you feel better. Exposed to someone with COVID in the last 7 days? Please visit us another day. We remain committed to the safety of children, visitors, and our staff and follow CDC guidelines.
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What Parents are Saying

“This museum is absolutely wonderful. Our favorite area was the scientist area, where you can learn about the periodic table with the elements on a moving platform to pick from. HOW COOL! They can even grab a lab coat and goggles to pretend they are Mendeleev.”

Carla A.

Parent

“Houston’s Must-See Museums”

Houston’s Top 5 Museums

“Best Family Attraction and Experience”

2018 Editor’s Choice Award

Exhibit Features

There’s a lot to see and do in this exhibit—check out some of these unique activities!

Element Assembly Station

Help with our element orders!

In this highly interactive game, you fill inventory requests and learn about the Periodic Table of Elements. Beat all 3 levels to become Matter Factory Supervisor!

Interactive Periodic Table

Elements come alive on a giant touch-screen.

Which elements are metals? What elements are used to make a skateboard? Light up the answers with the touch of a button.

Element of the Month: Carbon

Do you have anything that contains this month’s element?

Learn about the properties and applications of our featured element! If you have any items at home that contain the Element of the Month, consider donating them to the Museum for our crowd-sourced Periodic Table.

Next month's element: Calcium

What Can My Family Do?

Here are activity suggestions for specific age groups in this exhibit.

Toddler Activities

  • Measure your height in chickens at Measure Up.
  • Explore the Matter Factory sensory wall.

Preschooler Activities

  • Magnify a variety of materials at Zoom In.
  • Put on a lab coat and safety glasses in Super Small Matter Lab.

Lower Elementary Activities

  • Discover the elements in you at What Makes Up My Body?
  • Learn about interesting uses for elements at Element of the Month.
  • Create molecular models at Build a Molecule.

Upper Elementary Activities

  • Learn about the elements at the Element Assembly Station game.
  • Discover what makes up common things at the Periodic Table of Elements.
  • Find out how the neon lights work at Glowing Gases.

Exhibit Guidelines and Rules

Thank You to Our Exhibit Sponsors
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Thank You to Our Exhibit Sponsors

Bring the Museum Home with You

Keep the inspiration, invention, interaction and imagination going.

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