MuseumLab
Weekend Workshops with Ash Friend
A pop-up science lab inside ScienceWorks.
MuseumLab is a hands-on workshop series where curious kids ages 6 to 12 investigate real science through playful challenges inspired by museum exhibits. Each two-hour session invites participants to ask questions, test ideas, collect data, redesign, and discover what happens next. Some weeks feel like physics. Some feel like engineering. Some feel like art, history, or “what just happened?!”
Each session includes playful challenges, movement, friendly collaboration, and real data collection — all inside the museum environment.
Each workshop stands alone, so families can join for one session or many. Space is limited and registration is required — secure your spot and come experiment with us!
Pricing (per session):
$25 members
$35 non-members
50% ScienceWorks-for-All discount available*
*ScienceWorks-for-All participants receive 50% off registration. To qualify, families must register in person and present a valid SNAP/Oregon Trail or WIC card at the time of registration.
This is a registered program with limited space. A minimum of four students must be pre-registered for the session to run.
Ash Friend
Ash Friend is a writer, illustrator, and former lab scientist who now designs hands-on adventures instead of lab procedures. With a Master’s degree in STEM Curriculum and Instruction, Ash creates workshops that balance scientific rigor and creativity — with just the right amount of delightful chaos (because real science always includes surprises).
A partner in curiosity with ScienceWorks since 2016, Ash brings deep experience in inquiry-based learning, playful experimentation, and helping kids turn “What if?” into real discovery.
my 11 year old has participated in two of the science labs so far and really loves them. He's not a sporty kind of kid and it's hard to find activities for him, but he is very into the labs. I just wanted to say thanks for offering them!
-Local parent, March 2026
MuseumLab Schedule
Saturdays, 1 to 3 PM
March through May 2026
April 11 — Pterosaur Engineers
Become a fossil detective and explore the science of pterosaur wings, flight, and feeding methods. Investigate how structure supports function in these ancient flying reptiles.
April 18 — Jam Room Sound Lab
Dive into the science of sound. Experiment with acoustics, vibration, and pitch, then design and build your own noisemaker to test what you’ve learned.
April 25 — Cave Art & Natural Pigments (Earth Day Series)
Create natural pigments and design your own cave art while exploring deep time, geology, and storytelling. Which colors last? Which techniques show best? Experiment and find out.
May 9 — Hotwheels Physics: Wind Tunnel Testing
Zoom into aerodynamic science! Students will learn about the physics of air through hands-on demos and explorations. Participants test Hotwheels cars in a DIY wind tunnel, exploring which shapes create the least drag. After observation and predicting which cars are most aerodynamic, students put their findings to the test in a race.
May 16 — Waterhouse Hawkins: Victorian Flying Monster Models
Step into the world of Victorian science and imagination! Participants explore the work of Waterhouse Hawkins, the 19th-century paleoartist who brought prehistoric creatures to life through sculpture. Using fossil evidence as inspiration, they investigate how skeletal structure affects pterosaur flight and stability, then build armatures and sculpt their own flying reptile models using clay and simple materials.
May 23 — World Pup: Biomechanics, Robotics, & Soccer
What does it take to move like a soccer star... and can a robot learn how? Participants investigate motion, joints, and biomechanics through the Sportsology exhibit and a soccer cone challenge, exploring how bodies move, balance, and generate power. Then take on the ultimate experiment: “coaching” the ScienceWorks robotic dog to play using their observations.
MuseumLab FAQ
Is this a class or a lesson?
This workshop involves scientific inquiry and data science, but won’t feel like school. MuseumLab feels more like a playful science lab inside the museum. Families explore, experiment, and test ideas together through hands-on challenges and guided curiosity.
What ages is this best for?
MuseumLab is designed for mixed-age families, generally ages 6 to 12. Younger and older siblings are welcome, and activities are open-ended so everyone can engage at their own level.
Do families need to attend every week?
No. Each session stands on its own. Families are welcome to join in for one workshop or return for multiple weeks.
What will participants actually be doing?
Trying things out, making predictions, building, redesigning, measuring, observing, drawing, and discovering how real scientists learn from what happens — especially when things don’t go as planned.
Is there writing, worksheets, or tests?
No worksheets, no grades, no tests. Any drawing or note-taking is optional and creative, not academic.
What if my child just wants to play?
Play is how we do science here. The activities are designed so playful exploration is the learning.
Do adults need to participate?
Adults are encouraged to explore alongside kids, but participation is flexible. You can jump in, observe, or support as needed. You are also free to drop your child off and return at pickup time.
Is this aligned with science standards?
Activities are grounded in inquiry-based science and align with Next Generation Science Standards, but the experience stays fun, kid-led, and exploratory.