Mid-America Science Museum has over 100 “hands-on” exhibits to enjoy. You may want to pump a pump or press a button or even build your own bridge, all in the name of learning something about the science of our world. The exhibits are simply tools that illustrate a physical property or demonstrate a law of science in an interesting way. We all tend to remember things better by performing an action rather than just reading about it. With this in mind, the Museum attempts to kindle an interest that will lead to the curiosity that will make one want to learn more.

From whimsical machines that are a curious oddity, to the latest technology in lasers, the exhibits showcase ENERGY, MATTER, LIFE and PERCEPTION in ways that are entertaining as well as educational. Stimulating your senses with a simulated adventure, a laser light show or a workout on a water pump will become memories you won’t soon forget as you explore the multi-level exhibition floors where even the building itself is an exhibit. Designed by noted science center designer E. Verner Johnson, the building received an architectural award for design after it first opened in 1979.

Upper Level

Structures
Mirrors
Shadow Trapper

Middle Level

Underground Arkansas Cave
Trek through "Underground Arkansas", a gigantic indoor cave filled with awesome twists, turns, tunnels, and slides. Maneuver swinging bridges, climb rope ladders, and experience a realistic thermal waterfall.

Energy Island
This changing array of experiments demonstrates the various effects of energy, its characteristics and behavior. The numerous controls around the perimeter allow you to view and manipulate various experiments.

Gravity Tower

Lower Level

Tesla Demonstration

In this amazing presentation, experience the power of “caged lightning” as you watch 1.5 million volts of electricity spark from the world largest publicly displayed conical Tesla Coil! This incredible show gives visitors an exciting - and safe - introduction to high-energy electricity.

Van der Graaff Generator

Hair Raising Experience

The Van de Graaff generator is an impressive electrostatic generator that is capable of producing enormously large static electric potentials (upwards to 10 million volts). In fact, giant Van de Graaff generators can produce millions of volts leading to awesome displays of corona and lightning. MASM’s more modest size Van de Graaff generator produces approximately 50,000 volts.

The Van de Graaff generator is named after Dr. Robert J. Van de Graaff (former professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology), who patented his electrostatic generator in 1935. Interestingly, he developed this generator for studying the acceleration of charged particles to explore the atom. His theory led to Van de Graaff generators. Van de Graaff generators have been instrumental in a number of fields, including particle acceleration, electrostatics, as well as providing an awesome display of the power of electricity.

Laser Show

Come join us for an extraordinary display of laser light graphics, beams and sound.

Our new laser light show has animated graphics & beams set to country, rock and classical music.

The lights appear to be projecting in mid-air.

The beams project & rotate directly above your head.

It is an awesome audio/visual experience acceptable for all ages.

Sir Roland Emmett’s wondrous, whimsical creations

Three of these creations were used in the classic movie, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." These rare machines, the "Featherstone-Kite," the "Little Dragon Carpet Sweep", the "Hush-A-Bye Hot Air Rocking Chair", and the "Visi-Vision", create an atmosphere of fun, playfulness, and inventiveness that challenge the senses and imagination.