New York Hall of Science - Flushing, New York - Hands-on Science and Technology Center

The New York Hall of Science is located at 47-01 111th Street in Queens, New York. It is devoted to promoting a hands-on understanding of science and technology in a fun and stimulating environment.

The New York Hall of Science originally started in 1964 as part of the World's Fair in Flushing. It stayed open after that and was closed in 1979 for renovation works. It re-opened in 1986 and since then it has been expanding its space and exhibits.

The New York Hall of Science has more than 450 interactive exhibits categorized by themes. The different themes are designed to explore different concepts and ideas through the interactive exhibits. Visitors can explore topics such as topology, atoms, optical illusions, microbes, waves, genetics, and brain chemistry. They can experience simulated rides, examine how some machines work, and they can visit the inside of the Mercury capsule, which is a replica of the original Mercury capsule.

As part of the Permanent exhibitions, there are a number of themes, including: the Connections theme, the Feedback Exhibition, the Steam Engine Demonstration, the Hidden Kingdoms, the Marvelous Molecules, Mathematica, Preschool Place, Realm of the Atom, Rocket Park, Rocket Park Mini Golf, Science Playground, Search for Life Beyond Earth, Seeing the Light, and Sports Challenge.

Each theme has a number of exhibits to engage visitors in a fun and stimulating environment based on their interests. The Connections theme presents concepts relating to the structures of networks in a variety of fields. The Hidden Kingdoms explores the world of microbes through a number of exhibits such as the long nosed microbe or microbe that flows or microbes in your nose or penicillin alive. The Mathematica theme is entirely devoted to mathematics. It has the Celestial Mechanics exhibit, which studies the movement of celestial bodies and a number of other exhibits examining mathematical notions and theories.

The Realm of the Atom investigates atoms and how we know they exist. This theme is organized into several exhibits such as the Idea of the Atom, One Particular Wave, Quantum Atom, Radioactive Atoms, and many more. The Rocket Park theme teaches visitors about rockets and spacecrafts that initiated the space race. The Rocket Park Mini Golf relates the motion of golf balls to the laws of motion and gravity needed for spaceships. The Preschool Place is dedicated to younger visitors and has more than 22 exhibits.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, there are also art exhibitions displaying images and photographs related to science. There is also the Science Technology Library, which has an extensive collection for visitors and teachers.

The New York Hall of Science offers a number of education programs. There is the after-school science club that complements topics and skills taught at school. The New York Hall of Science provides virtual visits through the employment of a number of videoconferencing technologies to present scientific concepts. In addition, it offers portable labs to teachers for classrooms that are not equipped with the appropriate facilities to present and examine several scientific topics. The portable labs available include the BioTech Lab to investigate DNA, the StarLab that presents basic astronomy ideas, and the MicroLab to discover all about microorganisms.

The New York Hall of Science holds workshops during the year. It also organizes sleepovers and science after dark at the museum for groups. It also caters to birthday parties with a number of scientific themes.

From September through March, the New York Hall of Science is open on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9.30am until 2pm. During these months, it is open on Fridays from 9.30am - 5pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am - 6pm. It is closed on Mondays. From April until June, the Hall is open on Mondays through Thursdays from 9.30am - 2pm. On Fridays, it is open from 9.30am - 5pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, it is open from 10am - 6pm. During July and August, the Hall is open on Monday through Thursday from 9.30am - 5pm. On Saturday and Sunday, it is open from 10am - 6pm. Visitors are to call the New York Hall of Science to inquire about its holiday hours.

The price of admission to the New York Hall of Science for adults is $11. For children, students, and senior citizens, the admission fee is $8. There is no admission charge from September through June on Fridays from 2 - 5pm and on Sundays from 10 - 11 am. Certain exhibits such as the Science Playground and the Rocket Park Mini Golf have additional admission fees. The New York Hall of Science can be reached by calling 718-699-0005. To reserve a field trip or to schedule group activities, calls are to me made to 718-699-0301.