Water may look clear, but there are actually billions of tiny organisms living in lakes, creeks, and other bodies of water! Explore the plethora of microscopic life contained within small samples we have collected from various areas, including our own Town Creek behind the Science Mill. There are entire water worlds in every sample with wonders waiting to be discovered!

One person’s trash is another’s…jellyfish? Watch for artwork made from reclaimed materials.

The bigger the better! Magnify your perspective of tiny animals and parts of plants in order to uncover their amazing intricacies. This exhibit allows all ages to discover!

You are the engineer AND the builder! Construct your own impenetrable fort, or sculpt a throne to rule them all. Which structures will stand and using what shapes? The possibilities are endless and even more fun with friends or family members to help you out! Mosey on over to the Science & Art Park and take in some fresh Johnson City air while building your own castle.

Fun with physics! This wheel versus wheel race to the bottom of the incline will leave players reeling as they try to figure out the best way to distribute the wheel masses in order to make their wheel travel faster. Experiment with inertia to manipulate the acceleration, and position the wheel just right to beat your partner!

Double the sides, double the fun! Each side of this exhibit brings mechanics and engineering to life and represents some of the mechanical processes that moved grain around the historic Mill. On the Magnetic Ball Wall side, visitors will use levers, magnetic ramps, and a variety of other tools to maneuver a ball through the surprisingly complex structure. The other Gear Wall side engages visitors by challenging them to experiment with combining gears in different ways to move “grain” and turn the windmill. Creativity and problem-solving juices will be flowing as visitors take on the daily challenges posted for each wall!

The toddler space is an age appropriate, safe space in the Mill for infants and toddlers to play. Climbing structures, sensory objects, and crawl spaces are the attraction for visitors ages 0-3. 

Journey into the wild or even outer space in our state-of-the-art movie theater.

This Month’s Feature: SPACE: Unraveling the Cosmos in 3D

Get inspired for your next big build by this extreme K’nex machine, designed by a local teen.

Use real bananas to play music by completing the circuit with a conductive wand. The upgraded exhibit has a wand to help you tap out tunes and a “bunch” of new instrument options—choose from guitar, saxophone, synthesizer or classic piano.

The surface of this interactive game is filled with ultrabright LED lights that respond to motion according to Conway’s Game of Life. Wave your hand over empty spaces to bring cells to life, and watch as this electric petri dish is animated according to Conway’s rules. See how you perform in the Game of Life!

In this battle of brainwaves, the secret is to RELAX. Biosensors read the electrical signals from each player’s brain. Keep your brainwaves calm and steady to send the game ball rolling toward your opponent! Our game now uses disposable, single-use electrode stickers. A large monitor will display both players’ brain activity in this ultimate game of mind control. Mindball is sponsored by the Burch Family Foundation.