Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
OMG — OMSI is the coolest museum in town.
Margaret Seiler
With a planetarium, a giant-screen theater, a retired navy submarine (the USS Blueback is docked in the river right outside), traveling exhibits of all kinds and “After Dark” events that pair science talk with beer and wine for the 21-and-over set, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry has lures for all ages.
Half-pints can feel an earthquake and learn about physics in Turbine Hall.
But its core fan base is still the half-pints, who can feel an earthquake and learn about physics in Turbine Hall, conduct their own experiments in the interactive labs or watch storms form on a giant globe. The hands-on Science Playground is designed for kids 6 and under and, thankfully, the splash area has adult-size waterproof aprons in case Mom and Dad want to get in on the fun without getting soaked. (Leave some room for the little ones, please!)
Ready for a snack after all that fun? The renovated Theory Café takes museum fare to the next level, with goodies like oven-fired pizza, local beer sliders and quinoa salad that can be enjoyed with Willamette River views. There’s even a tap list for adults!
Just across the river from downtown, OMSI keeps getting easier to get to. A wide sidewalk and well-marked pedestrian and bike lanes make the Hawthorne Bridge an easy stroll and the Portland Streetcar’s Central Loop and MAX light rail Orange line drop passengers a short walk from the museum’s front door.
Kid-Friendly Museums
Upcoming Science & Tech Events
Submarine Tech Tour
OMSI offers a Guided Tech Tour on the second and fourth Sunday of every month. This special tour guided by an actual submarine veteran is for those who would like to learn more about the technical workings of the Blueback. The maximum tour size is eight people, so plan ahead and reserve your spot. Tech…
TechFestNW
TechfestNW is a global gathering of technology and business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs held at Portland State University’s Viking Pavilion in downtown Portland, Oregon. Learn more about the innovative, impactful tech that helps define our region. Hear from thought leaders across industries. Experience workshops and live tech demos. Join the startup pitch festival. And of…
Melt & Pour Soap Making
A special holiday edition of the popular soap making class: Learn about the science of soap molecules and why soap is so great at cleaning. Let your creativity guide you as you melt down already–prepared soap and add ingredients to make unique bars that are ready for immediate use. One ticket per batch of soap,…
How Does the Cookie Crumble? Gingerbread Workshop
Recent scientific “discoveries” have uncovered a revolutionary new building material that could change how we prepare for earthquakes – gingerbread! Come to OMSI and learn how buildings are designed to withstand quakes. Design, build and test your own quake-proof gingerbread building. Put your tower on OMSI’s shake table to see if it will survive “the…
Science Pub Portland: Ocean Plastics
Plastics, Bivalves and a Straw Cape with Nancy Judd of Recycle Runway; Britta Baechler, Ph.D. Candidate, Portland State University; and Chanel Hason of Portland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. We’ve all seen the video of a sea turtle with a straw up its nose, but there’s a lot more to the story of plastic pollution…
How Does the Cookie Crumble? 18+ Gingerbread Workshop
Recent scientific “discoveries” have uncovered a revolutionary new building material that could change how we prepare for earthquakes – gingerbread! Come to OMSI and learn how buildings are designed to withstand quakes. Design, build and test your own quake-proof gingerbread building. Put your tower on OMSI’s shake table to see if it will survive “the…
World of Speed Winter Day Camps
Spend part of your holiday break World of Speed. Single-day camps feature Pinewood Derby racing, 3-D printing, Museum Mystery and Mix It Up. Each Thursday and Friday during winter break, students will be presented with a different STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) inspired challenge to test their creativity and problem-solving skills. In addition…
Art Museum Public Tour: Seeing Science in Art
Explore the Museum with a docent skilled in bringing art to life. Public tours depart from the Park Avenue entrance. Museum admission: Free for Members; $20 Adults $17 Seniors 62+ and College Students; Free for Children 17 and under.
Science Pub Portland: Snowpack
If you don’t live in it, it can be easy to ignore snow. Tire chains, show shovels, down jackets . . . all someone else’s problems. But in the Pacific Northwest and other mountain environments, even if you don’t live in it, snow is an essential and unavoidable part of our water resources. Snowpack stores…
Meet A Scientist: January
Current science gets up close and personal at Meet a Scientist. This program, held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, features local scientists who share their research and knowledge with you through hands-on activities and conversation. Meet a Scientist exclusively features professionals who are OMSI Science Communication Fellows.
Science Pub Corvallis: Willamette Valley Wildlife Refuge
William L. Finley, Ankeny and Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuges are special places for very different reasons, depending on who you ask: family time, solace, hiking, birding, historic buildings, photography, hunting, wildlife viewing, making memories. Samantha Bartling, visitor services manager at the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, will describe some of the hidden —…
Maker Workshops: Fermentation And Your Microbiome
Fermentation is one of the oldest and simplest means of preserving foods. It is also the best way to manage your gut microbiome, the ~100 trillion bacteria that live in your gut and change your health in a myriad of ways. In this class, you will create a personalized batch of sauerkraut to take home,…
The Great Train Show
The Great Train Show is the nation’s only coast-to-coast model train show. The show fills two buildings and is designed for the general public, modelers, hobbyists, families and the just plain curious. The show features hundreds of tables of trains and accessories for sale, huge operating exhibits, activities, a riding train, a Thomas the Tank…