What's New at McWaneThese new and exciting science exhibits are here for a limited time!

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See Our Special Exhibits

At McWane Science Center, we’re always exploring the frontiers of science and creating new and exciting ways to learn about the world around us. Browse the new adventures we have in store for you here, and check back frequently for updates and more information!

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Wallace & Gromit™ and Shaun the Sheep™: Shear Genius!

Opens September 17, 2022

Visit McWane Science Center this fall and step into the worlds of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep – 62 West Wallaby Street and Mossy Bottom Farm – as you explore the contraptions, antics, and escapades of your favorite Aardman characters. Blast off in Wallace’s rocket, test out some wild contraptions with Gromit, climb around the barn with Shaun, and more! It’s a cracking celebration of problem-solving ewe don’t want to miss!

McWane Science Center is one of the first museums to host this brand-new exhibit that builds on problem-solving themes while encouraging children to playfully solve STEM-based and social-emotional problems in fun and engaging ways.

This exhibit was developed by Minnesota Children’s Museum in partnership with Aardman and will remain at McWane until January 2023.

Earth Matters

Now Open!

In nature, everything is connected: air, land, water. As you explore Earth Matters, look out for those connections along the way. Solve complex challenges and push your own ideas to new heights. Then, rethink a more sustainable future, starting in your own backyard. See the inner workings of a tree, listen and learn about endangered species and experience large-scale visualizations of changes taking place in our natural world. Learn more about the big issues, like biodiversity, rising global temperatures, and how to manage carbon emissions. Created by the renowned Scitech in Perth, Australia and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, Earth Matters features thought-provoking and fully interactive exhibits for the entire family!

The Magic of Model Trains

Now Open!

The Magic of Model Trains will open Saturday, November 18 and will keep curious minds entertained for hours! Entrance to this exhibit is included with regular price of admission, so chug on into McWane this holiday season.

A big thank you goes out to The Wrecking Crew, a big model railroad club based in Birmingham, who has been delighting visitors for the past fourteen holiday seasons at McWane Science Center with their various models including the LG&W, Gardner Tie & Timber Railroad, and Hogwarts Express. The Wrecking Crew works tirelessly to perfect each detail of the railroads, and their innovation and artistry is astounding.

Discover trains of every shape and size inside this awe-inspiring exhibit of locomotive displays
No detail is too small for this miniature landscape
From covered bridges and crowded downtown storefronts to multiple train stations and a drive-in movie theater, the Magic of Model Trains will keep you and your curious little elves entertained for hours!

A Truck Is Parked On The Side Of A Building

The Questioneers

Now Open!

The inquisitive characters Ada Twist, Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, Sofia Valdez, and Aaron Slater celebrate diversity, creativity, curiosity, bravery, and resilience in the STEAM-based exhibit now open at McWane Science Center!

In the best-selling Questioneers book series written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Robers, each story highlights problem-solving, communication, perseverance, risk-taking, and the role of caring adults in children’s lives. The Questioneers exhibit demonstrates a commitment to inclusion while delivering exceptional Arts and STEM experiences.

Be a Questioneer!

Engineer rockets, test your flying (or falling) contraptions, and pilot a life-size cheese-copter!
Tell your own stories using story blocks.
Build whimsical bridges, design buildings, and figure out how to construct a gigantic version of that famous pancake arch.
Explore how one person’s bravery can change the world, and declare to others how you intend to make a difference in your community.
Investigate cause and effect and why a clock goes “tick-tock” at hands-on investigation stations.
Ask why? how? what? when? and then why? again and again.

Curious George Let's Get Curious!

Now Open!

Get Ready To Embrace Your Curiosity!

Come celebrate McWane’s newest exhibit, Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! Explore the gallery that introduces young children into the world of Curious George, leading visitors on a fun, meaningful interactive math, science, and engineering-based adventure while emphasizing the central role that parents and caregivers play.

Based on the familiar characters in H.A. and Margret Rey’s classic stories and inspired by the animated television series on PBS KIDS, visitors can operate wheels to help George climb a building, sort and weigh fruits and vegetables at the produce stand, use science skills to putt a hole of mini golf, have their picture taken with the rocket from George’s space adventure, build a whirligig in the country, and visit the Museum within the Museum!

You Build It!

Coming Soon!

You Build It! McWane Science Center’s 2024 summer experience is back! This exciting exhibit is an original exhibit created by McWane Science Center. Located on the 3rd floor, this immersive exhibit experience will spark imagination, creativity, innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Themed like a construction Zone, You Build It! will be designed to spark imagination, creativity, innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving. Key exhibit features will include:

Workshops
Build Tables
Design Challenges
Free-build Areas
And So Much More!

This summer experience is presented by our friends at Protective Life Foundation and supported by Craneworks/Rentalworks and the Thompson Foundation.

Plan Your Visit

Purchase your tickets, get parking information, and learn more about how to plan your visit to McWane Science Center today!

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