Impression 5 offers a variety of demonstrations for group visits. Demonstrations last approximately 30 minutes and are limited to 30 students per session. Groups of more than 30 students may reserve multiple sessions.  We recommend that you allow an hour and a half of free time to explore the science center during your visit.  You may schedule multiple workshops for your group if time and staffing allow.   If your group wishes to participate in a workshop, it must be scheduled when you make your reservation.  Workshop schedules are subject to staff availability.   Slime workshops are offered to the public every day, but please inquire at the admissions desk on the day of your visit for that day's workshop schedule.

Slime- Slime is our most popular workshop! Slime is made in our Chemistry Lab under the supervision of a staff member. Students learn some basic chemistry principles, including molecular structures, physical and chemical changes, as well as states of matter. They also mix the ingredients of Slime together on their own and get to keep the bag of Slime when done. There is a $2 per student fee for our slime workshop. Here is more information about our Slime, including the recipe.

Simple Machines- Simple Machines allow people to do more work with less effort on a daily basis. In this interactive workshop, students will see first-hand how simple machines make work easier by attempting physical goals with and without them. Students will also learn the mathematical equation that reveals why simple machines reduce needed effort, W=FxD. This demonstration has become even more exciting with the supplement of our interactive Simple Machines exhibits!  This workshop is free with a reservation.

Light- How does light travel?  Why do objects appear different colors?  Is white light really white? Can you tell apart different light sources by what their light looks like?  The multitude of colors present in ordinary light will astound students as they use diffraction glasses to bend light into its component colors.  There is a $1 per student fee for the Light workshop, and each student gets to take home their diffraction glasses.  

Electricity-  What is static electricity and how do we produce it?  How can tiny, charged particles light a light bulb or make a balloon stick to things?  Students will experiment with different uses of static electricity and explore conductors, insulators, circuits, current, and more.  Participants will observe, and possibly feel, the powerful effects of static electricity with our Van de Graaff generator.  This could be a shocking and hair-raising experience!  Free with your reservation.  (This workshop is not available during the summer.)

Water - Get ready to be soaked in our Water workshop!  Experiment with buoyancy, volume, displacement, and much more. Participants will be challenged to ask questions as they explore and observe the many interesting properties of water.  To finish off the workshop, students will be challenged to construct a boat out of an array of materials, and then see if that boat can successfully navigate the lock system on our water table.  There is a $1 per student fee for our water demonstration. 

Biospheres - What is a biosphere?  Students will explore the water and carbon cycle as they make their own biome and get their hands in the dirt and explore all the items needed for a self contained mechanism.  We will explore plants and learn about photosynthesis and how it works.  Each student will take home their own biosphere. There is a $2 fee per student for this workshop.

Germs - What makes us sick?  Germs!  This workshop will let us explore common germs that cause illnesses like the flu, common cold, stomach ache, cough, and sore throat.  Students will explore how germs spread and why washing hands is essential as they conduct an experiment with Glo-Germ Powder.  This workshop includes a creative task to "make" a germ.  This workshop complements our Don't Make me Sick exhibit. There is a $1 fee per student for this workshop.

Circuit Builders - What is a circuit?  Discover the four components of a circuit and how to connect them together to perform many simple tasks on a circuit board.  We will use switches to direct power flow, create series and parallel circuits, and experiment with different types of loads like lights and buzzers. This workshop is free with your reservation.

Magnets - Explore the wonderful world of magnets and magnetic fields through an interactive workshop. This workshop is free with your reservation. 

Sound - Explore sound waves, echoes, and vibrations. Investigate how sound is created! This workshop is free with your reservation. 

Fossil Find - What is a fossil?  Put on your exploring hat and dig into fossils!  We will explore how fossils are created and what we can learn about them.  This workshop will allow students to conduct their own dig, and learn about the science of digging up the past.  Students can get their hands dirty and dig-out amazing fossils.  Each participant will be able to keep one fossil that they find.  There is a $2 fee per student for this workshop.