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
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.

Please contact us if you would like a workshop customized for a different age range or for any group with special needs.

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 G preK - 2

Explore what magnets really attract (not every metal!) and investigate magnetic poles. Learn where magnets are used and try out some magnetic magic tricks.

Chemistry Challenge $3.00 G1 - 4

Can you inflate a balloon without blowing in it? Learn about solids, liquids, gases and reactions in this fast and fun workshop.

Circuits $3.00 G1 - 6

Learn about series or parallel circuits (depending on the background of your group) then hook up different circuits using alligator clips, batteries, buzzers, bulbs and motors.

60 minute workshops:

Magnet Mania       $5.00          GK - 2

Explore what magnets really attract (not every metal!), investigate magnetic poles, pull “buried treasure” from sand and find out where magnets are used. Each child makes a magnet game to take home.

Mixing Molecules        $6.00          GK - 3

Experiment with chemical properties, states of matter and color mixing using "kitchen chemicals." Identify mystery chemicals by doing three experiments. Each child will make Glow Dough, a slimy polymer that glows in the dark.

Messy Chemistry       $5.00          G1-5

Experiment with weird glop, inflate a balloon without blowing into it and enjoy more messy chemistry in this interesting and exciting workshop.

Sounds Abound       $6.00          G1 - 5

This workshop begins with vibrations and the science of sound, then explores how different kinds of instruments — wind, string and percussion — change pitch. Each child will create a wooden ear harp to play 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. Then roll up your sleeves for an awesome project: each child will build and take home a motor-powered fan.

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 through creative hands-on activities. Redesign the Sears Tower and bring home a small scale skyscraper you build yourself using wood, saws, and glue.

Pasta Bridges      $6.00          G3 - 9

What do you get when you mix together raw pasta, hot glue and lots of imagination? Pasta bridges, one of our favorite tech challenges! Build the strongest bridge you can with a specific amount of pasta, 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. Also, each child will create and take home a slimy cross-linked polymer.

Motor Power           $6 .00          G4 - 9

What’s inside a motor and how does it work? See for yourself as your group builds and experiments with “the world’s simplest motor.”   Each child will make and take home his or her own motor-powered fan.

Two Hour Workshop:

Catapults $10.00 G3 - 9

Learn about levers, pivots and flinging force in this action packed workshop. Use real tools — hammers, drills and saws — to build your own wooden catapult. Optimize it for height and distance, find out how far and how accurately you can fling a marshmallow, then take your catapult home for more experimentation and fun.