Marian Koshland Science Museum

This is a fantastic museum located centrally in Washington DC. It is the premier museum of the National Academy of Sciences, and it is located in the same building as the National Academies headquarters.
Being smaller than some of the other Washington museums, it has a more intimate feel. The staff are very personable. Volunteers offer guided tours of the museum’s hands-​on exhibits, and they lead visitors through fun activities.
All of the exhibits are state-​of-​the-​art, and they offer detailed learning opportunities for current research at the National Academies (Science, Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine, National Research Council).
Being privately funded, the museum offers purely scientific information, which differs from some of the publicly funded museums which have a degree of government control.
The exhibits change every couple of years, so if you haven’t been in a while, it will be a totally unique experience when you return.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Live, I got free admission to this museum. Otherwise it would have been $ 8 for adults, and I think that is a bit much for what the museum offers.
I was introduced to the museum by a friendly man who worked at the front desk, and he explained it was affiliated by the National Academy of Sciences. With such a prestigious science affiliation, I kinda came in with some high expectations to be amazed with some science exhibits.
However, once I enter the small room, I realized this science center is actually just a bunch of computers/​touch-​screen monitors where I can use to learn about climate change/​aging/​human body/​etc. I could have done all this research sitting in front of my computer at home.
I’m sure there are tons of information in the computer programs, but I kinda got bored after 5 minutes with playing with the interactive screen. I felt like the information could have been presented more interestingly. I understand that they probably do not have much space to work with, like other Science Centers around the world, and prob are more interested in just loading as much information on those screens.
However, I expect Science Museums to be fun as well as informative so this was not the museum for me.

I wanted to give this museum a chance, despite some of the less positive reviews. Yet after spending three long hours there trying my best to enjoy the sparse exhibits, I really cannot recommend going here. Like others have mentioned, it’s small. To be more specific, it’s at most 2000 square feet, with a lot of empty space, and a lot of duplicate exhibits. The problem with the exhibits is that most of them are simply reading from a confusing screen, or watching short videos. One of the videos I had even seen before on YouTube so it’s nothing unique. I was looking forward to the interactive exhibits, but most of them were outdated (especially the driving simulator) or poorly implemented. Honestly, the most fun I had was testing my memory through a number recall game. Lastly, I tried to appreciate the hands-​on exhibits, but the volunteers there didn’t even seem interested in performing the demonstrations. Oh and the two exhibits I was most looking forward to, about DNA and the other about infectious diseases, were shut down. I was genuinely disappointed because I had such high hopes for a science museum with more complex scientific topics for adults.
At this point, my only caveat is that I graduated with a degree in biology, I do research at the NIH, and I’m heading to medical school next year so I wouldn’t say I have an average understanding of science. A middle schooler or early high schooler with a strong passion for science might find the information worthwhile. But even then, the outdated and confusing presentation of the information might be a hindrance. Admission was $ 7 for adults, so like others have said, with all the free museums, it doesn’t seem like a great value. You really have to have a specific reason to go here, and have your expectations tempered. I think my expectations were too high after visiting the nearby Newseum, which is one of the best modern, informative museums I’ve ever been to. I really wish I could give this museum a better review, since I want to continue supporting the National Academy of Science and it’s efforts to excite future generations about science, but to be truthful, this museum is a poor implementation of those efforts.

It was a really cool place to go that’s off the main tourist path. Definitely worth the $ 7.
As a scientist, I found it all really interesting, and I’d advise that it’s probably better for older kids. There’s tons of cool interactive stations to learn science while also having some fun. My favorite was the driving simulator, which I’m sure the younger generation would love.
There’s a good use of technology that I really enjoyed, because it wasn’t a normal museum where you just walk around, there were lots of touch screens and places to sit and introduce kids to various global issues like climate change, eating right, etc.
One minor issue was that it was really hot; probably due to the all the TV screens, and that it’s kind of small. We were the only ones in the museum, so I can’t comment on how fun it would be if it were packed with lots of kids.

An okay museum that locals might want to check out AFTER exhausting all the free places in the city. While the gentlemen who greeted me was nice and gave me a pleasant introduction to the place, I was a little bummed when, at 5:20, he informed me he was closing down for the day. We all want to get home on some days, as a teacher I know that. But I would have stayed probably until at least 5:45 or 6 and was not quite done, seeing as closing time is listed as 6. The best part of the small little museum was the neuroscience and brain exhibits, as well as some of the screens detailing the various stages of aging.
I was bummed that the museum did not always portray counterpoints or alternative views and either try to refute them or at least just offer them up (for debate, discussion, etc.) such as the global warming portion. Even if I believe in something, I never like to see just one side but rather, be presented with multiple options and ideas.
This place is apparently open until 6. I think I spent a solid two hours here, give or take, from a little after 3 until a little after 5 but I could have taken another 15−30…

I planned a surprise trip here for my boyfriend, who is a biology major and a huge science nerd. I got pretty nervous that it was going to be boring or short lived from all the reviews on here but we probably spent more than two hours there and had an amazing time! We were immediately greeted by a volunteer there who showed us where to hang our coats and then took us on a tour around the place. She showed us all the games, how to use them and even played a few with us. We got there around 12pm on a weekday so we were the only customers there. It is full of board games and brain teasers for the kids and anyone else who isn’t too keen on the science part. Everything is very high tech, clean and user friendly. Highly recommend taking your loved one here for an hour or two of educational fun! The staff was amazing and made the visit even more than it could have been!

I was expecting something rad but I got something eh, ok I guess…
On the positive side, it was bright, clean and I was greeted by a friendly chap who also gave me a place to hang my suit jacket. I then proceeded to an area or station if you will where there were some table top board games and gave those a try. Then I moved on to the exhibition stations. There were multiple stations for each science lab, if you will, to try out the activities (here comes the less than exciting part) buuuut, sigh* I am just not that into them.
There is certainly some potential here but of the 5 stations, the games were the best thing about this place. There was a driving simulator which upon starting scenario 3, I just nailed it and got to the end averaging 110 mph and I like getting to my destination at 3 times the legal speed limit in the game and not going to virtual jail. However the remainder of the labs were neat for about 5 minutes. Doing the math, if you feel the same about it as I did, you won’t be here long.

Very small museum. There were only 3 different stations. My family were the only people in there for most of the time and the museum staff was very friendly, helpful and informative. I wish there was more, if so, I could spend all day there.

I expect better from the National Academy of Sciences.
The staff were very nice. I walked in just as the museum opened and was greeted by a friendly man, who gave me an introduction to the museum. He showed me how to buy a ticket and set me loose on the museum.
Seriously, the museum has 3 exhibits. In the DC area, this is unusual and highly unsatisfying. I might not have minded so much had the exhibits blown me away. They did not.
The exhibits were information-​only exhibits. There were no artifacts. Nothing real and extraordinary to bring the science home. Nothing to gaze at in wonderment. There were screens. Lots of screens. As I sat there, reading from a computer screen, I couldn’t help buy wonder why I had paid, albeit a minor sum, for something I could do online from home.
The museum is one of the smallest I’ve ever seen. It’s probably 1,500 square feet. It’s a single floor, or, rather, part of one. By «interactive», they mean you can use touch screens. Granted, they make it look pretty slick, like bridge of a spaceship, but it seemed like money poorly spent. I’d rather have seen a Tesla coil or an ant farm. It just doesn’t inspire.
The information was good. The price was low. (Still, when most museums in DC are free, even a few dollars is overpriced). The layout, although small, was pretty nice.
Luckily for me, and unfortunately for them, they didn’t have a gift shop. I would have spent unholy amounts of money on books and whatnot. I loves me some science.

Cool alternative to the Smithsonians. The museum is a good tool to reach Nex Gen scientists and researchers. Go to their website to check out their events.

Unique learning experience that’ll make you think, plus fun events in the evenings and hands-​on activities on the weekends.
Definitely not your typical kids-​focused, overstimulate the ADD/​ADHD science museum (which I also love — the Exploratorium in San Francisco & the Tech Museum in San Jose are great!). This is one aimed at the high school/​college/​beyond-​aged crowd but they still do a good job of making the tons of scientist-​approved/​National Academies report-​based data come to life with the interactive exhibits. And, if you go when there’s a volunteer, you can ask for a personal tour.
It is small and focused so you can spend a lot more time playing with the exhibits — probably a good hour and a half or so. And, it hasn’t been discovered by hordes of people so you don’t have to fight over space and can take your time to read & play with things at your leisure.
Right now the exhibits are still on global warming and infectious diseases but it looks like they will be updating the museum in February with a new climate change exhibit so look out for that!
They also sponsor some interesting sounding evening programs like most recently a «Training Your Brain with Video Games» and trivia nights and (definitely checking this one out) Carl Zimmer! On the weekends, they also have hands-​on activities which are fun for kids too. I have heard that kids do like this museum still but I think you might get more out of it if you’re an older kid.
*Full disclosure: I am a fellow with the National Academy of Sciences but I am trying to be objective here and not let my enthusiasm about the awesomeness of the Academies take over

Summary
The space is small, clean and the staff is friendly. My 7 and 8 year olds found the abundance of small screens interesting for 20 min or so. Cheap and in a good location. Average to Poor educational experience.
Analysis
Should be called the «Global Warming and Infectious Disease Museum.»
Rather ham-​handed political message-​center for stopping global warming and arresting disease. I support both positions but this was an echo chamber not a teaching experience.
The small space attempts to educate with some complex cellular biology yet it never clearly defines the basics for the visitor. You see that some bacterium rapidly reproduce and mutate but they never provide a clear taxonomy for the genus. The result is somewhat like reading a cell biology text by starting in the middle of the book (missing the essential basics needed to process the more complex concepts).
Another display shows you how fast measles spreads with or without immunization — clearly immunization is better right? We didn’t need a light board to figure that out. What would have been nice is a small note about some of the concerns about Thiomersal. Not at this museum.
Note: The first display is a small globe (2′ diameter) showing various weather systems and their effects on earth. Its a nifty piece of software but the display is way too small. If you want to see this same display in a 10′ diameter go to The National Zoo (free) and visit ‘Amazonia.’ The display at the Zoo is stunning and will make the one at this museum seem like the Stonehenge parody in Spinal Tap…

Of all the museums in the district, this one is on the poor side. The content is rich but the way it is transmitted is rather heavy handed. It also costs to visit here and for the price your not getting much.

If you’re in the neighborhood or have kids stop by. The exhibits are intersting and the staff is really friendly. Kids would be welcome to explore and ask lots of questions. There is lots of information/​interesting programs/​displays.

I stumbled into this place totally on accident while getting myself lost in the city last week.
Man, sometimes a bad sense of direction really comes in handy.
The Marion Koshland Science Museum is for the nerd in all of us. There’s great interactive exhibits, plenty of free science magazines to peruse at your leisure, and (the best part!) it’s unobtrusiveness in the context of the city landscape means it’s relatively unknown and thus, not jammed-​packed with tourists. What more could you ask for?
HOW ABOUT CHEAP PRICES?!
Tickets are only $ 5 for adults and $ 3 for kids, seniors, and students. I know, I know… why would you pay admission when you can go to the Smithsonian museums on the mall for free? Consider it a donation towards keeping a small, entertaining museum in business. It’s worth it.

Really cool place to go.
Koshland is definitely on the small side (it’s only one floor) but it’s packed with cool interactive exhibits that cater to an adult-​crowd.
I went last week and they had exhibits on the spread of health epidemics and global warming. We spent about 2 hours touring the museum, though my science-​geek friend could have easily stayed another hour.
The museum looked quite new and all of the exhibits were incredibly up-​to-​date with 2006 data. I’d never seen a museum as technologically savvy as the Koshland — the equipment alone was impressive!
Great place to spend a morning and close to the National Building Museum, so make a day out of it!

Get your geek on.
I was thrilled to check out this science museum. Yea, it is small, but there’s a ton of information packed into each station. Interactive exhibits educate you on the state of the world in terms of resource usage, global warming, climate patterns, etc. The most fun for kids might be teasing out the DNA from your own cheek cells.
Tips: The exhibits at the museum have been scientifically approved by members of the National Academy of Science.

Blinded me. with science! Like Bill C mentioned in his review, this place is –unfortunately — pretty small. It just opened a few years ago, so maybe they will do some renovations and add some more exhibit space.
This space is dedicated to showing the results of experiments and research performed by and at the National Academies, and accordingly, the exhibits are high-​tech. What is cool about some of the stuff here is that it is interactive.
The ««Putting DNA to Work,» exhibit was really interesting. It showed how DNA sequencing was being put to use like finding the origin of SARS virus. There’s also the depressing exhibit called «Global Warming Facts & Our Future.» Yeah, sure. This phenomenon doesn’t exist. Has our president been to this museum yet?

This is a small museum, a tiny museum. They do have a couple of neat displays and it’s not crowded but we were done with the tour, had checked out every display and even chatted about some of the displays within 45 minutes.
If you are the area it’s worth checking out. It’s not too far from the National Portrait Museum, so could be a nice add on to that trip.