How Does It Work?

How Does It Work?

Conduct hands-on investigations, explore physical science concepts and how they make things present in our everyday lives work.

Virtual Exhibit
3D Field Trip Coming Soon
Ages
5+
Admission
Included with General Admission
Perfect For
Puzzle Solvers
Scientists
Techies & Gamers
Location
First Floor
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

Have you ever wondered how electricity travels through a wire? Or how we use simple machines in our daily lives? In this exhibit, you get to explore these questions and much more through two levels of exhibit challenges.  With tons of changing interactive, investigative experiences, we want you to be a scientist, practicing scientific habits of mind while discovering all kinds of science content to answer the age-old question: “How does it work?”

Educators

How Does It Work? provides excellent opportunities to explore TEKS-related content such as forces and motion, properties and transfer of energy, and Earth and space science. In addition, the exhibit offers access to a team of science content experts, the Educators, through Genius Station. Contact us for advice on creative ways to introduce a particular concept in your classroom, or help in creating extension opportunities that give your students access to science beyond the classroom.

Virtual Exhibit
3D Field Trip Coming Soon
Ages
5+
Admission
Included with General Admission
Perfect For
Puzzle Solvers
Scientists
Techies & Gamers
Location
First Floor
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 Kids are Saying

"I like to do the kid lift over and over again. It makes me feel excited!"

Evelyn

Age 8

What Parents are Saying

"Keeps them engaged, having fun, and provides them with a learning experience they can’t get anywhere else."

Ashley O.

Parent

What Kids are Saying

"I’m learning a lot about science!"

Cody

Age 5

Exhibit Features

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

Science Station

Experiment with new activities every week.

Work with a Discovery Guide to explore a science concept through hands-on, minds-on science experiments and demonstrations.  

Check out this week's activities.

How Does It Work Mezzanine

Try even more hands-on demonstrations and explorations!

Upstairs you can power a radio by riding a bike, experiment with properties of light, and guide a partner through a maze as you learn how computer programs work.

Genius Station

Geek out about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Find one of our Geeks and explore their project, ask a science question about a topic of interest or get help with project ideas and even homework.

Geek out with us!

What Can My Family Do?

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

Toddler Activities

  • Build a sculpture out of magnetic materials.
  • Build structures with the Keva Planks.
  • Complete a circuit to power a music box at Musical Bench.

Preschooler Activities

  • Use air as a force in the Amazing Airways.
  • Pump air to launch a rocket to the ceiling.
  • Observe pathways taken by the balls in the Ballcoaster.

Lower Elementary Activities

  • Lift your weight using the pulley systems at Kid Lift.
  • Pedal a bike to power a radio and disco ball at Bike Generator.
  • Attempt to shatter a security film-protected window at Smash the Glass.

Upper Elementary Activities

  • Investigate complex pendulums at Chaotic Motion.
  • Explore the difference between gearing up and gearing down at Gear Table.
  • Partner with a Geek to become a citizen scientist and help do research.

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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MyCMH is Here!

Create your own All-Time Access playlist featuring your favorite activities and educators.