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Science at Play

Discover the history of chemistry sets and how these miniature laboratories for children contained much more than their parts.

On view October 2, 2015–October 8, 2016
Hach Gallery

Chemistry sets and science toys contained much more than their parts. Savvy marketing slogans played to parents’ hopes for the future success of their children and to the children’s own desires for fun and excitement: “Developing Today’s Young Scientist for Tomorrow’s Future” and “Fun! Mystifying! Give a Magic Show!”

Science at Play, the first major museum exhibition to explore the many facets of these miniature laboratories for children, drew from our collection of more than 250 science kits and toys. It lifted the lid to reveal stories of enterprise, aspiration, discovery, magic, and mayhem.

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