Enrich Your Visit with Group Workshops

Kids get excited about science and technology as they investigate one topic in depth. Each workshop includes hands-on experimentation and discussion of key concepts. Many also include creating a project to take home. Choose a workshop that fits the age and interests of your group. Or, select a workshop that complements Minnesota state science standards for your grade level.

Length: 30 minutes, 60 minutes or 2 hours (see descriptions below)
Cost: ranges from $3.00 to $10.00 per participant
- Price does not include museum admission
- Subsidies are available for gallery and/or workshop visits for groups demonstrating financial need
Group Size:

15-60 students for workshop only

15-120 students for museum visit combined with a workshop

Reservations are required. Reserve your space early to ensure your first choice of dates.

Please call (952) 888-4262 or click here to complete a reservation request.

SPPS 6th Grade Teachers: Please use this reservation request.

Workshop Descriptions

Many workshops also include building a project to take home; projects are listed in bold type.

The Works' Workshops are made possible with the generous support of the Medtronic Foundation.

30 Minute Workshops:

Magnets $3.00 preK - G2

Investigate what magnets really attract and explore magnetic poles. Learn about the world’s largest magnet and make a magnet “float” in the air.

Chemistry Challenge $3.00 G1 - 4

Can you inflate a balloon without lung power? Discover solids, liquids, gases & reactions in this exciting workshop.

Circuits $3.00 G1 - 6

Learn about the flow of electricity, then hook up different circuits using the three components of a circuit – a power source, a load and a switch.

Kaleidoscopes $4.00 G1 - 5

Discover reflection and symmetry and distort your own face with bendable mirrors. Each child will build and take home a unique and colorful kaleidoscope.

Glow in the Dark Slime $4.00 K - G5

Explore color mixing and chemical reactions as each child makes his or her own batch of gooey, colorful Glow Dough!

60 minute workshops:

Magnet Mania       $5.00          K - G2

Explore what magnets really attract and investigate magnetic poles. Use magnets to separate iron filings from sand and to make a magnet game to take home.

Mixing Molecules        $6.00          K - G3

Identify mystery chemicals by experimenting with chemical properties, states of matter, and color mixing. Each child will also make a tub of Glow Dough, a slimy polymer that glows in the dark.

Messy Chemistry       $5.00          G1-5

Explore density, chemical reactions and physical properties as you experiment with liquid layers, inflate a balloon without blowing into it, and discover a Non-Newtonian Fluid with weird glop.

Sounds Abound       $6.00          G2 - 5

Start with vibrations and the science of sound, then explore how different kinds of instruments — wind, string and percussion — change pitch. Each child will create an ear harp using hammers and nails to make and take home.

Super Circuits       $6.00          G1 - 5

Investigate the components of simple circuits — power, loads and switches — and wire up some circuits of your own. Each student will make a motor powered fan to take home.

What Floats Your Boat?      $6.00         G1 - 5

Develop engineering skills and flex your creativity in this floating design challenge. Build a boat using assorted materials and test how many "penny passengers" it can carry. Then evaluate and improve your design, just like a real engineer!

Skyscrapers       $5.00          G3 - 6

Find out what architects and civil engineers do as you explore structure, scale and design. Then, using wood, a hand saw, and glue create your own scale model skyscraper to bring home of Chicago’s famous Willis (Sears) Tower.

Pasta Bridges      $6.00          G3 - 9

What do you get when you mix together raw pasta, hot glue and lots of imagination? Pasta bridges! Use the Engineering Design Process to build the strongest bridge you can, then see how much weight it can hold before it breaks.

Acids, Bases & Polymers $6.00 G4 - 9

Explore the chemistry of acids and bases in this squishy, colorful and fun workshop. Make an indicator solution to test the pH of household products, observe the chemical changes and analyze the results. Each student will also create and take home a crosslinked polymer.

Motor Power           $6 .00          G4 - 9

What’s inside a motor and how does it work? Use magnets and electricity as you build and experiment with the “World’s Simplest Motor.” Each student will make a motor powered fan.

Two Hour Workshop:

Catapults $10.00 G3 - 9

Learn about levers and fulcrums in this action-packed workshop. Use real tools — hammers, drills and saws — to build your own catapult. Find out how far and how accurately you can fling a marshmallow, then take your catapult home for more experimentation and fun.