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Aquatica
Aquatica is a portal into the breathtaking world of the ocean and a launching point for children to explore the wonder and complexity of marine life. This immersive experience helps young visitors understand the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems and the threats they face, such as climate change and plastic pollution. With experiences that include a chilled saltwater aquarium highlight marine life from the Sonoma Coast, a interactive virtual Coral Reef based on the real-life Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a simulated Kelp Forest, a Deep Sea Cave Exploration, and an Ocean Clean-up interactive game, Aquatica nurtures future generations of marine biologists.
Motiva & Explora
A large-scale Rube Goldberg-inspired ball maze, Motiva encourages children to become junior physicists as they experiment with the principles of motion, velocity, and acceleration in an interactive, hands-on environment. Curiosity and critical thinking are sparked as kids test different levers and switches, experimenting with how gravity, friction, and momentum impact their creations.
Just a few feet away in Explora, children dive into hands-on experiments that bring science to life. At the Revolving Circles exhibit, they explore centripetal force, while the Bernoulli Blower invites them to experiment with air pressure and lift. Other awe-inspiring interactive displays let young learners investigate motion, magnetism, and the invisible forces that shape our world.
Hexlandia & Explora
Celebrating the power and prominence of the hexagonal shape in nature from snowflakes to beehives to carbon molecules, the playful Hexlandia allows children to use their whole bodies as they navigate the tunnels. Nestled within the structure, a cozy book nook invites caregivers and children to enjoy a space designed for quiet, joyful moments of reading and reflections on themes of science, engineering, and environmental discovery.
Nearby in Explora, children explore the dynamics of air pressure and wind currents at a Tornado Maker, while at the Plane Launch exhibit, kids discover how gravity influences flight and trajectory. A Pin Wall invites children to press their entire bodies into the exhibit, creating 3D impressions while exploring textures, pressure, and spatial awareness.
Luminaria
Interactive exhibits in Luminaria offer opportunities for kids to explore the science of light. A Projection Station with colored lights and Light Mosaic Table invite children to experiment with overlapping hues, while learning about how light travels and changes. A Thermal Imaging exhibit lets children see the heat their own bodies emit, revealing the invisible world of infrared light in a playful, hands-on way. A LED Spirograph exhibit allows children to see firsthand how kinetic energy, rotational force, and momentum interact to create dazzling patterns on a phosphorescent surface.
Inventica
Inventica invites children to step into the roles of inventor, engineer, and explorer. Kids will engage with large-format building systems—designing everything from soaring towers to imaginative contraptions limited only by their creativity—and investigate the wonders of the living world through hands-on biological exploration. This engaging space nurtures collaboration, problem-solving, and a deep appreciation for both human ingenuity and the marvels of the natural world.
Rotating pop-up programs will ignite curiosity, whether through coding, circuitry, or nature-based investigations. Programs like Energy Engineers will encourage children to become real-life electrical engineers—experimenting with wires, motors, and simple circuits to turn on lights and make other basic machines whir to life. In Roving Robotics, kids can learn how to program a small robot to drive, talk, draw, joust, and light up. Other programming includes Let’s Go LEGO, 3-D Printing Possibilities, Coaster Craze balls and ramps, and a Tesselation Station. Inventica offers kids a hands-on experience of how technology, biology, and engineering are creative and impactful.
Learning & Ideas Labs
The Learning & Ideas Labs on the second floor of the expansion double the Museum’s capacity to host school field trips while providing more space for enrichment opportunities such as bilingual storytimes, parent workshops, and CMOSC’s Wonder Camps. It will also provide much-needed room for private celebrations and performances by visiting artists.
Designed with natural light, modern AV capabilities, and maximum flexibility in mind, the space can be divided into two classrooms or opened up to its full expanse to accommodate groups of 50 or more.
Hammer & Saw Shed
While open and fun for kids of all ages, the Hammer & Saw Shed outside in the Wild Zone is specially designed for older children, ages 8-12, who are eager to dive deeper into hands-on learning and creative exploration. This dynamic space invites budding inventors and builders to engage in real-world problem-solving through creative projects. Equipped with individual Creator Cubbies, the Hammer & Saw Shed provides children with upcycled materials and real tools – saws, hammers, pliers, and screws/nails – to bring their imaginative projects to fruition.
