SparkLab at Queensland Museum

Discover the interactive world at Explore SparkLab at Queensland Museum. This hands-on STEM space features 40 engaging exhibits, live experiments, and creative maker challenges for an engaging learning experience.

Getting started

To enter SparkLab at Queensland Museum Kurilpa, use your Standard Entry Ticket for access to the permanent exhibition. Upon ticket validation, proceed into the main area where you can choose from interactive exhibits or live program spaces. Pre-purchased tickets are recommended as visitor numbers are limited and ensure direct entry to your booked session.

SparkLab permanent exhibition

Specially designed for children aged 6 to 13, SparkLab is an indoor STEM space where young minds can explore science, technology, engineering, and maths through play. Spread across three zones, visitors have the freedom to navigate at their own pace, engaging with various exhibits while taking breaks in seating areas or revisiting favorites during their session.

Features

• The exhibition offers access to 40 interactive displays over three zones where both children and adults can experiment, ask questions, test ideas, and make observations using skills akin to those of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.
• Wheelchair accessibility is provided for exhibits, restrooms, café areas, along with accessible parking facilities to accommodate visitors with mobility needs throughout the SparkLab permanent exhibition.
• Sensory Friendly Sessions are available on select dates. Clearly marked noise zones and personal hearing protection options cater to those who prefer a lower-stimulation environment.
• Auslan-interpreted sessions ensure Deaf visitors can fully engage with key programs through signed access.

Science Bar

The Science Bar is SparkLab’s live experiment space where staff conduct demonstrations linking everyday curiosities to core STEM concepts. Drop-in during your visit for varying daily programs that showcase real-time experiments and encourage close observation, discussion, and exploration of ideas.

Features

• Daily changing Science Bar live experiments offer visitors the chance to observe demonstrations closely, prompting discussions about what is happening and exploring possible explanations.
• The drop-in nature of these programs means repeat visits can feature different experiments within the same space.
• Facilitated sessions often encourage children to share their thoughts with others, fostering new ideas and questions as demonstrations unfold.

Maker Space

In SparkLab’s Maker Space, visitors engage in hands-on building and design challenges that promote imagination, problem-solving, and trial-and-error learning. This zone is set up to inspire creativity with open-ended tasks.

Features

• The space invites you to design, build, and test your own solutions using everyday materials like cardboard, paper, paddle pop sticks, straws, pipe cleaners, tape, string, and additional supplied resources.
• Both structured prompts and self-directed building time cater to different learning styles, allowing children the opportunity to revisit and refine their designs during sessions.

Science on a Sphere

This engaging globe-based display at SparkLab presents Earth and space data dynamically. Visitors can join various sessions to understand global systems through visual formats.

Features

• Sessions include both facilitated presentations and self-led programs, allowing you to either watch guided content or explore looping visuals independently based on the schedule.
• The visualizations connect broader phenomena like weather patterns or planetary motion with ideas explored in interactive exhibits across main zones.
• Access to all Science on a Sphere sessions is included with your SparkLab ticket, requiring no additional payment during the visit.

Electric Sparks Tesla Coil demonstrations

In Electric Sparks, visitors witness controlled high-voltage effects using specialized equipment. These Tesla Coil demonstrations highlight core electricity and energy transfer principles but are subject to schedule and visitor suitability.

Features

• Sessions allow you to see lightning-like effects when scheduled and suitable for participants, with no extra charge included in your SparkLab visit.
• Demonstrations may not be appropriate for visitors with pacemakers or sensitivity to flashing lights; participation is restricted accordingly for safety reasons.

Access, sessions, and visit options

Suitable for families, schools, and individual explorers alike, SparkLab offers various session types, tickets, and support options. Choose your visiting frequency and preferred access type to best suit your group’s needs.

Features

• Sensory Friendly Sessions on select dates offer a calmer environment with managed visitor numbers for those preferring reduced noise levels.
• Schools and children's groups can avail of discounts, but bookings are essential to facilitate STEM-focused excursions.
• Companion Card holders and Members receive free entry upon presenting a valid card or ID with their booking.
• Educators benefit from a complimentary teacher preview after registration, allowing them to explore SparkLab in advance for planning connections between exhibits, the Science Bar, Maker Space, and Science on a Sphere within classroom programs.