The American Museum of Science and Energy
The American Museum of Science and Energy
Welcome to the American Museum of Science and Energy, the science museum located in Oak Ridge that was designed to teach both children and adults all about energy! Not only does this museum cover the science of energy, but more specifically it focuses on nuclear power, as well as the city of Oak Ridge’s role in the famous Manhattan Project. This museum was created in 1949 in a wartime cafeteria under the first name of the American Museum of Atomic Energy and taught locals and guests all about the more "friendly" uses of atomic energy. The name was changed, as was the facility, in 1975 and today this interesting museum is full of different educational and interactive displays exploring energy and nuclear power. While here your group will have to check to be sure there aren’t any annual events or education days going on, as well as save plenty of time to enjoy all the onsite research opportunities, exhibits, and even gift shop!
While here at the museum you and your group are going to have to decide whether you would like to self explore the museum grounds and all the fantastic permanent and temporary exhibits within, or opt for a private, customized school-oriented tour. Either way you will delight in such exhibits as Exploration Station, on light and color, Y-12 and National Defense, exploring model weapons and protective clothing, the World of an Atom, with a cross section of a model reactor, and of course, the popular Story of Oak Ridge, documenting the influence and impact of this city and the Manhattan Project. There are several various educational programs, classroom outreaches, and day/summer camps at this museum weekly, as well as special traveling exhibits and lectures. Be sure to hit the gift shop after you’ve gotten all the interesting facts you can here, the shop itself full of educational books and DVDs, games, kits and toys, clothing, and city souvenirs.
