STEM Careers: From Circuit Design to Electrical Engineering at the Science Mill

Located in Johnson City, Texas, the Science Mill is a place where hands-on experiences ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math. Our interactive exhibits do more than entertain; They help kids picture themselves in real STEM careers. Through playful exploration, young learners build curiosity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of how science shapes the world around them.

Two exhibits that spark STEM inspiratioN

BANANA PIANO

The Banana Piano Exhibit introduces kids to the world of circuits and conductivity in a fun, unexpected way. Using a wand and banana-shaped conductive keys, they complete a circuit that triggers musical sounds through a microcontroller. This playful activity encourages kids to imagine careers in circuit design, semiconductor engineering, or electronic music technology.

GO WITH THE FLOW

Go With The Flow Exhibit invites kids to experiment with AC and DC electricity in a safe, hands-on environment. They can build and control electrical circuits and try different experiments that show how electricity powers our world. This exhibit introduces the foundations of electrical systems and helps kids imagine careers like electrical engineering or becoming an electrician.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCIENCE MUSEUM

Every visit to the Science Mill is an opportunity for discovery. Our exhibits open doors to future possibilities, showing kids that STEM careers are within reach and that learning science can be exciting, creative, and fun.

Plan your visit today! Whether you’re looking for a unique family destination or a valuable learning experience, the Science Mill is here to help spark curiosity and a lifelong love for STEM.

What Makes a Science Field Trip Truly Hands-On?

What Makes a Science Field Trip Truly Hands-On?

Ask any science teacher, and they'll tell you: students understand best when they can touch, see, and experience a concept in action. Reading about energy, light, or motion is one thing. Watching those forces come to life in real time is something else entirely.

But finding meaningful hands-on experiences outside the classroom can be a challenge. Not every field trip checks both boxes: fun and academic value. Many places offer excitement but little alignment with your science standards. Others are educational but may feel too passive to spark lasting curiosity.

The importance of extracurricular learning: the role of museums like the Science Mill in kids’ education

The importance of extracurricular learning: the role of museums like the Science Mill in kids’ education

When we think of learning, our minds often go straight to the classroom: textbooks, lectures, and exams. But ask any scientist, engineer, or innovator where their curiosity first sparked, and you’ll often hear stories that began outside of school. Some might mention a summer camp, a museum visit, or while tinkering in the garage. This is the power of extracurricular learning: it’s where passion meets possibility.

At the Science Mill, we believe that learning doesn’t stop when the bell rings. In fact, some of the most transformative learning happens beyond the classroom walls. That’s why our mission is to ignite a lifelong love of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by providing hands-on, immersive experiences that engage the imagination and build confidence.

What is forensic anthropology?: An interview with forensic anthropologist, Sophia Mavroudas, Ph.D.

This Memorial Day Weekend, the Science Mill invites you to dive into the strange and unexplained at Mysteries of Science. From hands-on activities to a meet-and-greet with a real scientist, you’ll step into the shoes of investigators who use science to uncover hidden truths.

On May 26, 2025 (Mon), we’re thrilled to welcome a very special guest—a forensic anthropologist whose work has taken her from microscope labs to archaeological digs across the globe: Associate Director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS), Sophia Mavroudas Ph.D.!

what is forensic anthropology?

Forensic anthropology is the study of human skeletons to solve mysteries about a person’s life and death. Forensic anthropologists use science to uncover clues from bones—like age, sex, health, and even how someone lived or died—helping solve modern crimes and understand ancient cultures.

Meet the Scientist: A Forensic Anthropologist on a Global Mission

Have you ever wondered what stories our bones can tell? This Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, you’ll have the chance to meet Sophia R. Mavroudas, Ph.D., a forensic anthropologist who has made a career out of studying the human skeleton to reveal secrets about our past and present.

Her journey into this fascinating field began with a curiosity about people and how their lives leave lasting marks on their bones. “I love learning about people—modern, historic, and archaeological—through their skeletons,” she says. “The microscopic changes that occur inside our bones as we age and interact with the world are like nature’s diary.”

One of her favorite parts of the job? The ever-changing nature of the work. “Every day is different,” she explains. “Some days I’m indoors working with microscopes, and others I’m out in the field, digging in the dirt. It’s the perfect mix of science and adventure.”

Around the World in 206 Bones

Her career has taken her far beyond the lab, offering unique opportunities to travel and study how life experiences shape our skeletons. “One of my favorite places to travel is Greece,” she shares. “I’ve examined both archaeological remains and modern forensic cases there, and I’m always learning how different environments and cultures leave their mark on our bones.”

Outside medical examiner’s lab | Athens, Greece

Advice for Future Scientists

To anyone interested in following in her footsteps, she offers this advice: “Love asking questions. For anthropologists in particular, love learning about skeletons. Just when you think you’ve answered one question, your discoveries lead to even more about how our bodies work and how they connect with the world around us.”

Join Us for Hands-On Discovery

So if you’re still looking for something to do in the Hill Country this Memorial Day weekend, come meet Dr. Mavroudas and explore the tools and techniques used to solve scientific mysteries at the Science Mill. From bone investigations to interactive exhibits to special hands-on activities, the Mysteries of Science event will inspire visitors of all ages to think like a scientist.

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