PreK - K
Me, Myself and I
Explore the roles various systems play in the human body. Travel through the heart as a red blood cell, see your bones and muscles in action, listen to your heart, lungs, and digestive system and discover healthy food choices.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 20

Animal Adventures
Turtles and snakes and cockroaches—cool! Take a close look at some amazing animals from Alabama and around the world.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 20

Dino-Might
Take a journey through time to learn more about dinosaurs. Explore how they lived, what they ate and more.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 20

Water Spouts
Join us for a story and meet some of the marvelous creatures in our underwater world.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 20

Building and Beyond!
Explore the many fascinating aspects of engineering and discover the architecture of nature. Through hands-on activities learn inventive problem-solving skills and the elements of structure.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 20

Magic Magnets
What’s the big attraction? Discover the science of magnets and how they work in this hands-on program children are drawn to.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 20

Solids, Liquids, Gases, Oh My!
Through hands-on activities and demonstrations, students will be introduced to the states of matter.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 20

Sound Surrounds Us!
Young scientists will listen up and investigate the mechanics behind sound. They will also learn how vibration keeps the entire world singing its own special tune.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 20

Grades 1 - 2
Dino Discoveries
Learn fascinating facts about your favorite dinosaurs. How big were they? What did they eat? How did they live?
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Curious Critters
Get better acquainted with animals from around the world. Investigate the relationships certain creatures have with each other and the environment around them.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Wetlands and Wildlife
What are wetlands and why are they important? Learn about wetland ecosystems and some of the creatures that live there. Discover the relationship between wetland preservation and hurricane safety.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science, Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Journey to Earth
Learn about the global weather systems and geological features that make Earth such an interesting place to live.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Water, Water Everywhere
Water can be a solid, liquid and even a gas! Investigate this everyday substance and its natural cycle in our environment.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Pushes and Pulls
You won’t have to force students to take this hands-on program. They’ll be amazed at what forces can do and how important they are in our daily lives.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Science of Art
Everything is science and art is everywhere! Experiment with light and lenses and captivating colors.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Grades 3 - 5
Our Place In Space: Science On A Sphere
Get up close and personal with the stars, planets and moons. Learn about Earth’s galactic neighbors on this breathtaking tour of our solar system.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Storm Surge
A storm surge can be the most damaging component of a hurricane. In this program you will build models to determine the role that wetlands play in storm surge protection.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Trash Talk
Learn how your actions can affect everyone around the world. Students will learn ways to protect the environment, including sustaining natural resources, recycling, and conservation.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Fossil Finds
How does a living thing become a fossil? Students examine real fossils from our area as they explore the diversity of plants and animals that have been present over time.
DISCIPLINE: Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Arctic Adventures
The Arctic and Antarctic regions are home to numerous forms of life. What does it take to survive at subzero temperatures? Learn how living things have adapted to these extreme environments.
DISCIPLINE: Earth Science and Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Coastal Creatures
Discover how animals have adapted to coastal environments, the role of camouflage, the nature of predator/prey relationships and the importance of these habitats to our planet’s health.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Illusion Confusion
Are things always what they seem? Our brains have to interpret what we see. Students will give their brains a workout in this class as they try to make sense of optical illusions.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Forensics 101
Student teams will use the tools and techniques of forensics to solve a simulated crime.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Machines Make It Happen
Using hands-on activities and problem-solving skills, students will explore the different types of simple machines and their contributions to our everyday world.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Electrifying Experiences
Get all charged up and have a hair-raising time experimenting with the basics of electricity. Build circuits, create static electricity and discover the connection between electricity and magnetism.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Adventures in Chemistry
Is it a chemical change or a physical change? Exciting demonstrations and hands-on experiments engage students in exploring the mysteries of chemistry.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Archimedes’ Bathtub
Groups of students will work together performing a series of problem-solving experiments to explore the principles Archimedes allegedly used to solve the riddle of the golden crown. Eureka!
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Grades 6 - 8
Go Polar
What happens at the Poles doesn’t stay at the Poles! The activity of the North and South Poles affects our entire planet. Engage in polar science investigations to learn more about the cryosphere.
DISCIPLINE: Earth Science, Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Inside Our Earth
There’s a whole lotta shakin’ going on in this program! Students will gain further understanding of plate tectonic theory as they investigate Earth’s internal composition and how earthquakes, volcanoes and other factors cause changes to our planet’s surface.
DISCIPLINE: Earth Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Active Atmosphere: Science On A Sphere
Explore Earth’s energetic environment. Using cutting edge technology, learn how the planet’s position and composition contribute to its atmospheric activities.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Unlocking the Past
Could there have been an ocean here in Central Alabama? Students unlock secrets of ancient plant and animal species in this introduction to stratigraphy.
DISCIPLINE: Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Marine Biology
Students will examine preserved and live specimens that represent the diversity of life in various marine habitats.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

You Make Me Sick!
Learn how viruses, bacteria and other organisms invade and infect the human body. Discover what you can do to avoid these menacing microbes.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Amazing Reactions
Check out the science behind some mysterious chemical reactions and conduct experiments that produce strange substances, changing colors and expanding gases.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Engineer It!
Student engineering teams will design, build and test a balloon-powered hovercraft. This challenge will help them gain further understanding of Newton’s laws and potential and kinetic energy.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Techno Geeks
Students will participate in a robotics activity that will bring out their inner techno geek. LEGO® MINDSTORMS® is an ideal hands-on tool for helping students learn math, science, computers and design technology. Program is 90 minutes long.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Einstein for Everyone
This class examines the fundamental concepts of light, time, energy and gravity and how they relate to Einstein’s thinking.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

What’s News in Science?
In this journalism crash course, cover newsroom responsibilities, desktop publishing, headline writing, image selection and editing. Create a real newspaper as a team.
DISCIPLINE: Technology, Language Arts
CAPACITY: to 30

Broadcast News
Stay tuned—all eyes will be on your students as they sit in front of a camera and relay the day’s news while learning the fundamentals of broadcasting. Each class will receive a copy of their newscast. LENGTH: 2 hours
DISCIPLINE: Technology, Language Arts
CAPACITY: to 30

Life in a Drop
This lab introduces students to effects of pollution on the environment through a daphnia biotoxicity assay using household chemicals. In addition, students will scientifically classify a variety of microscopic freshwater plants and animals. Life in a Drop is one of the programs offered through the LabWorks Program that is a series of engaging hands-on experiments designed especially for middle school students. Developed through a partnership between UAB’s Center for Community Outreach Development (CORD) and McWane Science Center, these labs include modern scientific protocols and equipment that enable students to investigate contemporary questions in biology, chemistry and physics. TIMES: 9:00–11:00 am or 12:00–2:00 pm
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science
CAPACITY: to 30

The Air Up There
Students will assess the effects of UV light on cells, then explore concepts related to waves, learn the importance of UV impedance by the ozone layer, and investigate effects on health. The Air Up There is one of the programs offered through the LabWorks Program that is a series of engaging hands-on experiments designed especially for middle school students. Developed through a partnership between UAB’s Center for Community Outreach Development (CORD) and McWane Science Center, these labs include modern scientific protocols and equipment that enable students to investigate contemporary questions in biology, chemistry and physics. TIMES: 9:00–11:00 am or 12:00–2:00 pm
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Isn’t That a Crime?
Students will analyze a crime scene, look for evidence and perform a variety of techniques used in real crime labs. Techniques include analyzing hair and fiber samples under a microscope, dusting for fingerprints and separating DNA fragments using agarose gel electrophoresis. Isn't That a Crime is one of the programs offered through the LabWorks Program that is a series of engaging hands-on experiments designed especially for middle school students. Developed through a partnership between UAB’s Center for Community Outreach Development (CORD) and McWane Science Center, these labs include modern scientific protocols and equipment that enable students to investigate contemporary questions in biology, chemistry and physics. TIMES: 9:00–11:00 am or 12:00–2:00 pm
DISCIPLINE: Life and Forensic Science
CAPACITY: to 30

HIV Prevention
To connect the life cycle of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to transmission, students will model the spread of HIV in a population and perform an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) to detect HIV-specific proteins in a sample. HIV Prevention is one of the programs offered through the LabWorks Program that is a series of engaging hands-on experiments designed especially for middle school students. Developed through a partnership between UAB’s Center for Community Outreach Development (CORD) and McWane Science Center, these labs include modern scientific protocols and equipment that enable students to investigate contemporary questions in biology, chemistry and physics. TIMES: 9:00–11:00 am or 12:00–2:00 pm
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

The Eyes Have It: An Eye Opening Experience
The eye is an intricate machine easily accessible through dissection. In this lab, students will dissect a cow eye, look at mutant DNA from a degenerative eye disorder, and learn how visual Illusions work. The Eyes Have It is one of the programs offered through the LabWorks Program that is a series of engaging hands-on experiments designed especially for middle school students. Developed through a partnership between UAB’s Center for Community Outreach Development (CORD) and McWane Science Center, these labs include modern scientific protocols and equipment that enable students to investigate contemporary questions in biology, chemistry and physics. TIMES: 9:00–11:00 am or 12:00–2:00 pm
DISCIPLINE: Biology
CAPACITY: to 30

It’s a Wild Ride!
Study the laws of physics that make roller coasters so thrilling. Students will get hands-on and explore the physics behind the engineering of these rides. The experiment concludes by letting students utilize their knowledge to design and build their own coasters. It's a Wild Ride is one of the programs offered through the LabWorks Program that is a series of engaging hands-on experiments designed especially for middle school students. Developed through a partnership between UAB’s Center for Community Outreach Development (CORD) and McWane Science Center, these labs include modern scientific protocols and equipment that enable students to investigate contemporary questions in biology, chemistry and physics. TIMES: 9:00–11:00 am or 12:00–2:00 pm
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Einstein’s Universe
Through hands-on activities and exploration, examine the fundamental concepts of light, time, energy and gravity and how they relate to Einstein’s thinking.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science,
CAPACITY: to 30

Robotics Challenge
Think your students are too old to play with LEGO’s? Think again! Let your students express their inner child in this interactive program using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robots. They will learn techniques used in the real world of science, engineering and design.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Grades 9 - 12
Engineering Challenge
Using scientific inquiry and simple materials, students will step into the role of an engineer to design, build and test a device to perform an assigned task.
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Alchemist’s Dream
Alchemists dreamed of turning base metal into gold. Did they succeed? Find out as we explore alchemy and the origins of chemistry. Learn how chemistry can masquerade as magic and turn pennies into “gold.”
DISCIPLINE: Physical Science and Chemistry
CAPACITY: to 30

Polar Patrol
The Poles seem far away, but we touch them in many ways! How do our actions affect the Poles, and how do we know? Watch science take the leading role in this very important arctic tale.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science
CAPACITY: to 30

What’s in Your Watershed?
Is the water that we drink as safe as we think? Students test a variety of samples and learn how we affect our water quality.
DISCIPLINE: Aqua Science, Environmental Science,
CAPACITY: to 30

Anatomy Lab: Squid
Dive into this dissection program to examine the external and internal anatomy of squid. Examine some of the unique features that have allowed squid to adapt and thrive in their habitat.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Anatomy Lab: Perch
Learn about perch from the inside out! Use dissection techniques to study the anatomy of this bony fish. This exploration includes the concepts of organized body systems and vertebrate classification.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

The Living Planet: Science on a Sphere
Get a satellite’s view of Earth—the living planet. Learn about Earth’s natural phenomena and how human activity impacts the place we call home.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science
CAPACITY: to 30

Storm Trackers
Track the course of hurricanes as they power their way across the ocean. Miller projection maps, wind speeds and other meteorological tools and data will be used to create a profile of the hurricanes.
DISCIPLINE: Earth and Space Science, AquaScience
CAPACITY: to 30

GENIUS Lab: Huntington's Disease
GENEius is an engaging, day-long laboratory experience in molecular biology and genetics designed for high school biology students, grades 9–12. Using state-of-the-art equipment, participants work in small groups with guidance from UAB students and faculty to complete a challenging lab experiment. Students also have access to McWane Science Center exhibits and programs throughout the day. Teacher Training Information GENEius programs require teacher training. Teachers who have completed BioTeach, UAB’s summer training program in molecular genetics, or a teacher workshop during the academic year, or have prior training in molecular biology may reserve GENEius labs. In the Huntington Disease GENIUS Lab, students learn structure and function of the human brain as they work in small groups to dissect a sheep brain and test their olfactory systems. Then students will use DNA gel electrophoresis and microscopy to explore the genetics and neuro-pathology of Huntington’s disease. Program Information DATES/DAYS: September–May, Tuesday–Friday Capacity : 24 participants TIME: 9 am–3 pm Requires : Teacher Training Information /reservations : (205) 714-8479 geneius@mcwane.org Two-week advance registration is required.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

GENEIUS Lab: DNA Fingerprinting Lab
GENEius is an engaging, day-long laboratory experience in molecular biology and genetics designed for high school biology students, grades 9–12. Using state-of-the-art equipment, participants work in small groups with guidance from UAB students and faculty to complete a challenging lab experiment. Students also have access to McWane Science Center exhibits and programs throughout the day. Teacher Training Information GENEius programs require teacher training. Teachers who have completed BioTeach, UAB’s summer training program in molecular genetics, or a teacher workshop during the academic year, or have prior training in molecular biology may reserve GENEius labs. In the DNA Fingerprinting Lab, students focus on genetic diversity and use contemporary techniques in molecular biology to isolate DNA from their cheek cells, use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a highly variable region of chromosome one and employ gel electrophoresis to analyze samples. Program Information DATES/DAYS: September–May, Tuesday–Friday Capacity : 24 participants TIME: 9 am–3 pm Requires : Teacher Training Information /reservations : (205) 714-8479 geneius@mcwane.org Two-week advance registration is required.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

GENEIUS Lab: HIV Lab
GENEius is an engaging, day-long laboratory experience in molecular biology and genetics designed for high school biology students, grades 9–12. Using state-of-the-art equipment, participants work in small groups with guidance from UAB students and faculty to complete a challenging lab experiment. Students also have access to McWane Science Center exhibits and programs throughout the day. Teacher Training Information GENEius programs require teacher training. Teachers who have completed BioTeach, UAB’s summer training program in molecular genetics, or a teacher workshop during the academic year, or have prior training in molecular biology may reserve GENEius labs. In the HIV Lab, students use SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and Western Blotting techniques to perform an HIV test on six mock blood samples. They’ll explore the biochemistry and life cycle of the HIV virus and address the public health issues related to HIV/AIDS through a series of small group discussions, activities and online research. Program Information DATES/DAYS: September–May, Tuesday–Friday Capacity : 24 participants TIME: 9 am–3 pm Requires : Teacher Training Information /reservations : (205) 714-8479 geneius@mcwane.org Two-week advance registration is required.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30

GENEIUS Lab: Sickle-Cell Anemia:
GENEius is an engaging, day-long laboratory experience in molecular biology and genetics designed for high school biology students, grades 9–12. Using state-of-the-art equipment, participants work in small groups with guidance from UAB students and faculty to complete a challenging lab experiment. Students also have access to McWane Science Center exhibits and programs throughout the day. Teacher Training Information GENEius programs require teacher training. Teachers who have completed BioTeach, UAB’s summer training program in molecular genetics, or a teacher workshop during the academic year, or have prior training in molecular biology may reserve GENEius labs. In the Sickle-Cell Anemia Lab, the molecular basis of this hereditary disease is the main focus as students use electrophoresis to analyze differences in the normal and sickle-cell hemoglobin at the protein and DNA levels. Microscopy of fresh blood smears allows students to observe phenotypic differences between normal and sickle red blood cells and provides an opportunity to see cells sickle in real time. Program Information DATES/DAYS: September–May, Tuesday–Friday Capacity : 24 participants TIME: 9 am–3 pm Requires : Teacher Training Information /reservations : (205) 714-8479 geneius@mcwane.org Two-week advance registration is required.
DISCIPLINE: Life Science
CAPACITY: to 30