Spooky SCIENCE ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

This October we’re exploring the theme of Science in Fiction. Each activity includes a step-by-step guide and our expert staff is always on hand to help - no prior knowledge required! Science Studio is included in the cost of admission and activities change regularly.

Activities

Frankenstein’s Monster A character both fearsome and tragic, Frankenstein’s Monster represents both the limitless opportunities of science and potential risks therein. Mary Shelly wrote the story of Frankenstein when she was only 18 years old in the year 1818. She was riveted and inspired by the wonders of electricity, and took advantage of a prompt by Lord Byron to write the first ever science fiction book, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. Explore the electrical ephemera that inspired the creation of the classic novel at the Legacy of Frankenstein’s Monster table.

Dracula and Vampires Perhaps the most insidious classic monster of all, vampires are said to lure in and prey upon unsuspecting victims. The realization of this character was born from very real fears of the spread of the plague and diseases before virology was understood. The idea of vampires calls all the way back to Ancient Greece, where ailments resulting from overcrowded city life were rampant. Discover why vampires are thought to be so scared of the sun at this sanguine station.

Werewolves If you get chills down your spine when you hear the howl of a wolf under a full moon, you might wonder in the back of your mind if you’ve just heard the bellowing birth of a werewolf. These legendary lunar lupines are thought to emerge only during a full moon, which is understandable as the moon certainly does affect our world in interesting ways. Bite into the meat of this lurid lobo’s legacy and at the Werewolf table.

The Mummy Similar to Frankenstein’s Monster, the story of “The Mummy” shows how humanity expresses its fears in the face of scientific exploration. The discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1922, paired with the subsequent portrayal of mummies through the works of Bram Stoker and Boris Karloff led to the undead boogeyman trope we think of today. Review the history and influence of mummies at this table. That’s a wrap!