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To stay up to date with the latest happenings at the Exploratorium, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at @exploratorium. 

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Randomly toss some toothpicks, with pi as your reward! If asked to get an estimate for the famed mathematical constant pi (π), you might do what the ancient Greeks did: Divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter. In this Exploratorium exhibit, you can estimate pi by a less conventional method: the random tossing of toothpicks.⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Learn more about this exhibit and try it at home with the link in bio!⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ #PiDay #PiDay2019 #PiDaySF #π⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ https://www.instagram.com/p/BurSmjGHoHm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lgwu0uampao5

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Pi (π) Day is an official US holiday, and it’s celebrated by math lovers and educators worldwide! But do you know how it all started at the Exploratorium over 20 years ago?⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Learn more at https://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/pi-day-history via the link in bio!⠀ ⠀ #PiDay #PiDay2019 #PiDaySF⁣ #Pi #π https://www.instagram.com/p/BupnYLRHVzp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15prakmtn0ije

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Author extraordinaire Mary Roach just told the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) that the Exploratorium is her favorite science center! Read what she told ASTC below, and enjoy this reblog of our interview with Mary from last year’s AFTER DARK: Sexplorations! 

“The Exploratorium in San Francisco. I took my granddaughter there recently. It’s a little over her head, but just the cacophony and the rainbows bouncing off things and that weird giant mirror they use for simulations of docking the space station in which everything is turned upside down and you can reach out and touch your hand in the air.

I’ve always enjoyed the Exploratorium because you can make it as complicated as you want to, like “here’s how an electric motor works” or “here’s how a lightbulb works” or momentum or surface tension. They are sort of basic concepts in science. I wish a month in the Exploratorium had been my introduction to science as a kid because I think I would have gone into science. Their ability to make things visual, combine art and science— it’s fun, it’s a very fun place. There’s a chair you sit in that times how long it takes a nerve impulse in your foot to reach your brain. It actually calculates how long it takes the impulse to travel through your body. The creativity that goes into that place is amazing. And it’s huge and sprawling and there’s something for everyone.”—Mary Roach, interview with ASTC, February 2019

“Why is it so weird to talk about sex?”—

Author Mary Roach attempts to address this puzzling question in her New York Times best-seller Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex. Meet Mary this Thursday, February 1, at Exploratorium AFTER DARK: Sexplorations, where she’ll join Exploratorium biologist Jennifer Frazier for a free-wheeling conversation about the delightfully awkward, occasionally risky, and endlessly fascinating proposition of bringing human beings into the laboratory to study sexual physiology. After listening to this honest and hilarious duo, you won’t be able to stop talking about the amazing scientific phenomena of sex!

Curious about what to expect? Listen to a candid conversation between Exploratorium’s Fran D’Alessio and Mary Roach, as they break the taboo and talk about why it’s still weird to talk about sex. Prefer reading? Follow along with the full transcription below.

Please note: Due to the nature of the conversation, audience discretion is advised.

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In Silhouette invites you to experience remarkably complex and inventive works of shadow play—open at the Exploratorium from March 1st through April 28th, with a special opening night at #ExploAFTERDARK: Seeing Double on Thursday, February 28.⁣ Link in bio for more info.⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Upon entering the darkened Black Box, you encounter what appear to be mundane blank surfaces. However, hidden within each piece are unforeseen images that are revealed only under a flashlight’s beam.⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Appearing to be small, mesh surfaces, Drzach & Suchy’s water-suspended Floats reveal rival words in shadow when lit. A pioneer of hand-drawn holography, Tristan Duke presents works that result in floating, 3-D forms when illuminated. Rayform’s plexiglass plates resemble clear windows, but their projections onto nearby walls reveal a detailed photorealistic tableaux. Arm yourself with a handheld flashlight and bring these optical wonders to light.⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ //FEATURED ARTISTS//⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ → Drzach & Suchy⁣⠀ Drzach & Suchy are a design duo like no other: Drzach is an architect who combines art and design, while Suchy is a cryptographer and software engineer who experiments with holograms and various shadow techniques and materials. Together they showcase the hidden potential of light and shadow that can be unlocked using emerging technology.⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ → Tristan Duke⁣⠀ Tristan Duke has a background in photography and holography, and a deep interest in the science of optics and visual perception. Since 2008 he has been pioneering the development of hand-drawn holography as a creative medium. He is a fellow at the Museum of Jurassic Technology and current Artist-in-Residence at the Exploratorium.⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ → Rayform⁣⠀ Rayform develops light redirection technology that generates highly detailed images in shadow form. Cultivated through research at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, their technique uses computer-based algorithms to form images of caustics, a familiar optical phenomena. By machining subtle yet precise ripples into a transparent or reflective surface according to the algorithm’s calculations, incoming light is redirected to form amazingly clear and highly detailed images on nearby surfaces. https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZIo2XHt0C/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19o5an62a7cdv

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“We heard they had a bar” Everett laughs.⠀ ⠀ Everett and Anthony are colleagues visiting AFTER DARK for the first time. This evening the #ExploAFTERDARK theme was Craft, which featured programs like Intro to Beer Making and the Art of Knitting. ⠀ ⠀ “I’ve never been here before,” Anthony says. “It’s nice since we’re both kinda into engineering and science.”⠀ ⠀ Everett chimes in, “We were both STEM majors in college, so this is kind of right up our alley”⠀ ⠀ And what did they enjoy most on the floor? “The first part…the biology” Anthony says, “I loved the chicken embryo, it was pretty cool!”⠀ ⠀ They both seemed to be enjoying the nightlife at the museum. Of course, an evening bar outing with friends usually makes for a great time!⠀ ⠀ “I think I’ll come back for sure!”⠀ ⠀ ***⠀⠀ Welcome to #50FacesofExplo, our new series that celebrates the many faces of the Exploratorium in honor of our 50th anniversary. Join us all year long as we share smiles and stories from curious explOrers like you! And if you'd like to submit your own story or memory, head over to www.exploratorium.edu/myexplo or tag us in your posts using #MyExploratorium! ⠀ ⠀ 🎁 This month, we're giving away a pair of tickets to the Exploratorium for daytime or AFTER DARK to a lucky #MyExploratorium winner! (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt7AY0gH2LT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11rcom2e3j8eh

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“Today is my daughter’s third birthday! We wanted to take her someplace interesting.”⠀ ⠀ Chastidy Ronan and her daughter, Catica Ronan, are San Francisco natives. Having lived in the Bay Area for thirteen years, Chastidy has known about the Exploratorium for sometime now. While working as a nanny for families, she would visit the former Exploratorium location at the Palace of Fine Arts.⠀ ⠀ “When I was a nanny, I really loved the dissecting cow eyes.” Today, Chastidy hopes to relive some of her favorite exhibits with her daughter. ⠀ ⠀ “I think my daughter has an opportunity for more educational and developmental experiences here,” she explains. “It’s so much more interactive than other places where you’re just an observer.” ⠀ ⠀ Chastidy has long wanted to take her daughter to the Exploratorium in order to recreate some of the memories she had as a nanny.⠀ ⠀ Catica smiles, “I wanna go to the cow eye!” ⠀ ⠀ “We are working our way down there!” Chastidy says with a wide smile.⠀ ⠀ ***⠀ Welcome to #50FacesofExplo, our new series that celebrates the many faces of the Exploratorium in honor of our 50th anniversary. Join us all year long as we share smiles and stories from curious explOrers like you! Stay tuned for the next 48 faces! (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Btoj0y5n8eF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tk9tt2n5y9vo

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Happy Lunar New Year, explOrers! We hope the Year of the 🐷 brings you boundless prosperity and curiosity!⠀ ⠀ Art by Exploratorium's own @trashbag_jones! ⠀ ⠀ Repost: 新年快乐! Happy Lunar New Year! Here’s the observatory board I did today in honor LNY. A dancing Lion announces the animal of 2019! Pigs! Shout out to @earthlytravelthings for helping me with translations!⠀ #illustration #dryerase #weterase #lunarnewyear #yearofthepig #exploratorium (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BthoP4OHkmJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lcoxpmtai2bu

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January's #MyExploratorium winner is @thin_knight, for sharing this #InflatableSF memory with us! Our January prize is a 2019 Optical Illusion Calendar—congrats @thin_knight! #MyExploratoriumMonday ⠀ ⠀ This February, we're giving away a pair of tickets to the Exploratorium for daytime or #ExploAFTERDARK! All you have to do is share your favorite Exploratorium memories with us: Your first cow’s eye dissection, yesterday’s field trip, the morning you mastered magnetism, your sparkliest Glow selfie, last summer’s workshop, your best Frank Oppenheimer story, your bell-bottomed Explainer days? Share it with us using #MyExploratorium or by following the link in bio to submit your stories on our web gallery! (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtfQ9FwnSEe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cv00f7bxa3mk

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January's #MyExploratorium winner is @thin_knight, for sharing this #InflatableSF memory with us! Our January prize is a 2019 Optical Illusion Calendar—congrats @thin_knight! #MyExploratoriumMonday ⠀ ⠀ This February, we're giving away a pair of tickets to the Exploratorium for daytime or #ExploAFTERDARK! All you have to do is share your favorite Exploratorium memories with us: Your first cow’s eye dissection, yesterday’s field trip, the morning you mastered magnetism, your sparkliest Glow selfie, last summer’s workshop, your best Frank Oppenheimer story, your bell-bottomed Explainer days? Share it with us using #MyExploratorium or by following the link in bio to submit your stories on our web gallery! ⠀ (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bte4hzfHUkv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1i0k21ckwe0

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Join us at #NightofIdeasSF—an evening of cultural discussion @SFPublicLibrary on Sat. 02/02 from 7pm-2am! Exploratorium exhibit developers and scientists will be sharing our work on fostering human connection in public spaces through interactive experiences inspired by social science.⠀ ⠀ 💡 Please join Exploratorium's Shawn Lani, Director of Studio for Public Spaces, and Heike Winterheld Ph.D., Program Director of Social Sciences, in conversation about promoting compassion through interactive social experiences.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ *Registration is now closed. Tickets may be available at the door* Link in bio for more info! ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #socialscience #socialpsychology #research #educationforall #prototype #sanfrancisco #exploratorium (at San Francisco Public Library) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtWnncrHSVW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=g9aiop2kqzbv

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REMINDER: The Exploratorium will be closed for AFTER DARK 6-10pm tomorrow, Thursday, January 31, for a private event.⠀ ⠀ Our AFTER DARK evening program will resume next Thursday, February 7 at AFTER DARK: Craft 🍻🔨⠀ ⠀ 💡Learn more at link in bio! (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtR-ftsHC7B/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cjds1f3ubkpf

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Can't Stop. Won't Stop.⠀ ⠀ Taking cues from our Slinky Treadmill exhibit on this #MyExploratoriumMonday! ⠀ ⠀ 💡 Share your favorite Exploratorium memories using #MyExploratorium for your chance to be featured on Mondays and be entered to win our monthly prizes! This month, we're giving away an exclusive Exploratorium 2019 calendar featuring 12 pieces of optical illusion art! Learn more with link in bio! ⠀ ⠀ Repost @thin_knight: Slink Hard.⠀ (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtMQWZEHAJm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3yj5t84oixef

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// 🔊 SOUND ON for this #ExploAFTERDARK Spotlight from artist/maker Neil Mendoza! Don't miss his and others' amazing works at our AFTER DARK #CuriousContraptions closing party on Thursday Jan. 17! Ticket link in bio.⠀ ⠀ Repost @neilmendoza: Robotic Voice Activated Word Kicking Machine (video needs sound) will be on display at the @exploratorium this Thursday evening alongside the amazing @maywa_denki. If you're in SF, come along!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #contemporaryart #kineticart #projectionmapping #robot #openframeworks #arduino (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bst6crcnA6Y/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10lenruoav717

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🌈 #MyExploratorium means so much to so many people, including the dedicated and passionate team that makes the magic happen at our Pier 15 home—just like Vanessa: one of our amazing Exploratorium Store managers, who's literally always getting caught up in the magic of science and arts education!! ✨⠀ ⠀ 💡 Share your favorite Exploratorium memories using #MyExploratorium for your chance to be featured on #MyExploratoriumMonday and be entered to win our monthly prizes!⠀ ⠀ Repost @ms.mama.v : Things that happen at work when I’m the manager on duty 🦠⚗️🧬🔬🧪#hobermansphere #isokinetic #icosidodecahedron #funwithcoworkers #exploratorium #myexploratorium #frontline #ibelieveinscience #workworkwork #managersbelike #managerlife #bosslady #girlboss #workingmama #museumstore #retailexperience (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsot0_1HU9N/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1oea4wprpmxw

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#Curiosity, a #mood + #perspective. Making it happen in 2019 with our Distortion Room and 650+ inspiring exhibits.⠀ ⠀ Repost @thatgirlbernie: Curiouser and curiouser. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📷 : @stance_n_speed (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsjGLCDHlzy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ubj9njvoe9fw

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Things are lookin' up! Here's to the weekend, explOrers!⠀ ⠀ 📸: @carlajipu⠀ Featured artwork: "Buckyball" by @leo_villareal⠀ ⠀ #TGIF #happyfriday #weekend #weekendvibes #fridayfeeling #fridaynight #picoftheday #myexploratorium (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BshDnCRHQCg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bclryu3rldi6