View source for Lawrence Hall of Science

{{Short description|Public science center in Berkeley, California}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox museum
| name            = Lawrence Hall of Science
| logo            = The_Lawrence_Hall_of_Science_logo.png
| image           = LawrenceHallofScience2007 crop.jpg
| map_type        = <!-- California  -->
| latitude        = 
| former_name     = 
| established     = {{Start date|1968}}
| location        = [[Berkeley, California|Berkeley]], [[California]], United States
| coordinates     = {{Coord|37|52|46|N|122|14|48|W|format=dms|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:US-CA}}
| type            = [[Science museum|Science]]
| visitors        = 
| director        = Rena Dorph<ref name="Dorph">{{cite web|title=Rena Dorph, Ph.D.|url=http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/team/rena-dorph-phd|website=Lawrence Hall of Science|publisher=Regents of the University of California|access-date=2012-02-27|language=en}}</ref>
| curator         = 
| publictransit   = [[AC Transit]] #65 or UC Berkeley Shuttle<ref name="HAL">{{cite web|title=Hours, Admission, & Location|url=http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/visit/hours_cost_location|website=Lawrence Hall of Science|publisher=Regents of the University of California|access-date=2012-02-27|language=en}}</ref>
| website         = {{url|lawrencehallofscience.org}}
| imagesize       = 
}}
The '''Lawrence Hall of Science''' is a public science center in [[Berkeley, California]] that offers hands-on science exhibits, designs curriculum, aids professional development, and offers after school science resources to students of all ages. The Lawrence was established in 1968 in honor of physicist [[Ernest Lawrence|Ernest Orlando Lawrence]] (1901–1958), the University of California's first [[Nobel laureate]]. The center is located in the hills above the [[University of California, Berkeley]] campus, less than a mile uphill from the University's [[University of California Botanical Garden|Botanical Garden]].
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== Permanent exhibits ==
{{Tilden Park map |side=left}}
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* [[Science on a Sphere]] – interactive globe displaying real scientific data from Earth. Scientific data displayed on the globe includes Earth's weather patterns, ocean temperatures and currents, [[climate change]], day and night views of the [[Earth]], and [[tsunami]] and [[hurricane]] patterns. Science on a Sphere was developed by researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
* Forces That Shape the Bay – outdoor science park, which explores the seismological forces that created and still affect the entire [[San Francisco Bay area]].
* Sunstones – an 18-foot granite astronomical sculpture, created by David Cudaback and Richard O'Hanlon and installed outside the Hall in 1979.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sanders |first1=Robert |title=Avid astronomer, teacher David Cudaback has died |url=https://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2006/08/03_obitcudaback.shtml}}</ref> Sight lines in the piece allow visitors to view northern- and southernmost setting of the sun at the [[solstices]] and many other important astronomical events.
* Young Explorers Area– a multi-sensory play area for children in kindergarten and younger. 
*Ernest O. Lawrence Memorial – devoted to the life and research of [[Ernest O. Lawrence]]. This exhibit features a biographical film on Lawrence's life and a pair of "Dee" electrodes from one of the first [[cyclotrons]].
*Insect Zoo – See hermit crabs, Indian walking sticks, a tarantula, and hissing cockroaches.
*The Animal Discovery Zone – where children learn about animals. Many homeschool and other classes are held in the Animal Discovery Zone and provide the opportunity for children to observe and interact with animals.
* Ingenuity Challenges – A different design challenge each month allows kids to think critically and explore real world engineering problems.
* Pheena the Fin Whale – a life sized model of a juvenile [[fin whale]] residing on the plaza.
* An eight hundred million-to-one scale model of a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecule on the plaza is another favorite place for young visitors to play. This sculpture was designed by Michael Jantzen of Valencia, California.<ref>{{cite web |title=DNA Model, (sculpture). |url=https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=16Y44131I392U.13488&profile=ariall&uri=full=3100001~!332727~!0&ri=5&menu=search&source=~!siartinventories |website=Smithsonian Institution Research Information System |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> It was put in place in the spring of 1992.

== Traveling exhibits ==
[[File:Exhibit hall at Lawrence Hall of Science 1.JPG|An exhibit hall|right|thumb|upright=1.2]]
In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Lawrence Hall of Science has featured a rotation of traveling exhibits. Past traveling exhibits include: Tony Hawk Rad Science, Dinosaurs Unearthed, Scream Machines: The Science of Roller Coasters, RACE: Are We So Different?, Facing Mars, Animal Grossology, Waterworks, Engineer It, Speed, Wild Music: Songs and Sounds of Life, Circus! Science at the Big Top, Grossology, My Home, Planet Earth, Big Dinos Return, Candy Unwrapped, and Math Midway.

== Nobel Prize display ==
In 2003, following the death of Lawrence's widow, Molly Lawrence, the Lawrence family chose the Lawrence Hall of Science to house his 1939 [[Nobel Prize in Physics]]. The [[Nobel Prize medal]] was placed in a display case in the E.O. Lawrence Memorial room, a permanent exhibit which displays artifacts of his life and work of nearly forty years.

On March 1, 2007 a member of the Lawrence Hall of Science Exhibits staff reported that the Nobel Prize medal was missing from its locked display case. The UC Police Department was notified immediately and began an investigation into the medal's theft. A $2,500 award was offered in exchange for the medal's recovery and information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. The medal is made from 23 karat gold and worth approximately $4,000. Lawrence's medal was the first [[Nobel Prize]] awarded to the [[University of California]] and the first Nobel Prize won by an American [[public university]]. The prize was recovered and a student was arrested on suspicion of [[grand theft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/stolen-nobel-medal-recovered-1.636282|title=Stolen Nobel medal recovered|date=2007-03-07|publisher=CBC News|work=CBC News {{!}} Technology & Science|access-date=2007-03-13}}</ref> A replica of the Ernest Lawrence Nobel Prize now resides in the museum display case.

== Planetarium ==
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File:Exhibit hall at Lawrence Hall of Science 2.JPG|An exhibit hall and the planetarium
File:LHS sunstones.jpg|Hall visitors observe the [[winter solstice]] using the Sunstones II
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The Lawrence Hall of Science develops interactive [[planetarium]] shows for its own planetarium and other small planetariums. The planetarium was built in 1973 and directed by Alan Friedman. The Holt Planetarium's programs have focused on audience participation, an innovation that has changed the way small planetariums around the world present astronomy to the public. In 2000 the Holt Planetarium was deemed "The Best Planetarium in the Whole World" by The Planetarian, Journal of the International Planetarium Society.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Haskins |first1=Jane |title=The Best Planetarium in the Whole World |journal=The Planetarian |date=March 2000 |volume=29 |issue=1 |page=65 |url=https://www.planetarium-activities.org/about-pass/the-best-planetarium |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>

The planetarium presents live, interactive shows (approximately 25 minutes long), following the hands-on philosophy of science education. 

The Holt Planetarium has a strong interactive approach to astronomy education. Their programs actively engage audience members in activities such as finding constellations, searching for exoplanets, and so forth. The planetarium at Pacific Science Center in Seattle (originally called Star Lab, now called the Willard Smith Planetarium) was directly modeled on the Holt. Dennis Schatz was hired in 1977 from Lawrence Hall of Science as the opening director of the [[Pacific Science Center]] planetarium.

== Publications and curriculum ==
<gallery mode="packed" widths="270px" caption="Views from Lawrence Hall of Science">
File:LHS view.jpg|The view of the [[San Francisco Bay]] as seen from the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, California
File:View from terrace of Lawrence Hall of Science.JPG|View from terrace
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Curriculum and publications developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science programs such as EQUALS/FAMILY MATH, [[Full Option Science System (FOSS)]], Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS), Marine Activities and Resources in Education (MARE), PEACHES—a program for early childhood educators, and Science Education for Public Understanding Program (SEPUP) reach many students nationwide and around the world. New programs are frequently developed and expanded at the Hall, such as Global Systems Science (GSS), Hands-On Universe (HOU), and Seeds of Science – Roots of Reading.

== Education ==
The Lawrence has an extensive education division, offering year-round youth and family classes and day camps on-site. Classes focus on a wide range of subjects, including biology, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, robotics and art. In addition to on-site classes, residential summer camps are held in various locations in California.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Lawrence offered gifted teenagers free computer systems access through a program called The Friday Project,<ref name="test">{{cite journal|url=http://www.berkeley.edu/news/magazine/fall_98/feature_lhs.html|title=Brian Smith never needed to ask a high school guidance counselor for help in choosing a career|journal=Berkeley Magazine|date=Fall 1998}}</ref> or FRID. This was important at the time because computers weren't readily available in homes so that access to computers was otherwise only at school. To become a "FRID kid", one had to submit a project proposal and be accepted by its leaders. Computer systems available included [[Hewlett-Packard]]'s [[HP Time-Shared BASIC|2000B]], [[Data General]]'s [[Data General Nova|Nova]] and [[Data General Eclipse|Eclipse]], and [[Control Data Corporation]]'s [[PLATO (computer system)|PLATO]] internet-like system that pioneered key on-line concepts such as forums, message boards, online testing, e-mail, chat rooms, picture languages, instant messaging, remote screen sharing, and multi-player games.

== Professional development ==
The Lawrence Hall of Science offers many workshops and other professional development opportunities for teachers. Online courses for the Lawrence Hall of Science curriculum are also available.

== Discovery Store ==
The Discovery store offers many science and math products for visitors of all ages. Popular items include science kits, educational posters, plush toys and [[Freeze-dried ice cream|astronaut ice cream.]]

== University of California, Berkeley ==
The Lawrence Hall of Science is the public science center of the [[University of California, Berkeley]]. Staff collaborate with University faculty from many fields to develop exhibits such as Big Dinos Return, Forces That Shape the Bay and Nanozone, as well as educational materials for teachers and families.

== In film ==
In the 1970s, several science fiction films utilized the Lawrence Hall of Science:
* The 1970 film ''[[Colossus: The Forbin Project]]'' used this location as the fictional Colossus command center. Actually filmed in 1969.
* Scenes from the 1971 movie ''[[THX 1138]]'' were filmed at the Lawrence Hall of Science.
* A flyover shot of the Lawrence Hall of Science is briefly featured as a location shot in the opening of the pilot episode of ''[[The Bionic Woman]]'' (1976).

== References ==
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== External links ==
{{Commons category|Lawrence Hall of Science}}
* {{Official website|http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/|Lawrence Hall of Science official site}}
* [http://static.lawrencehallofscience.org/scienceview/scienceview.berkeley.edu/html/view/index.php Live webcam view from the Lawrence Hall of Science]
* [http://store.lawrencehallofscience.org/ Lawrence Hall of Science Discovery Corner Store]
* [http://www.nanozone.org/ Nanozone: Lawrence Hall of Science Online Nanotechnology Exhibit]
* [http://www.berkeley.edu/ University of California at Berkeley official site]
* Lawrence Hall of Science is a member of NISE Net, and participates in [http://www.whatisnano.org/nanodays NanoDays]
{{University of California, Berkeley}}
{{Science museums in California}}

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[[Category:University of California, Berkeley buildings]]
[[Category:Museums in Berkeley, California]]
[[Category:Science museums in California]]
[[Category:University museums in California]]
[[Category:Berkeley Hills]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Berkeley, California]]
[[Category:Science and technology in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:Association of Science-Technology Centers member institutions]]
[[Category:Museums established in 1968]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1960s architecture in the United States]]
[[Category:Anshen and Allen buildings]]