Overview
DISCOVERY IS EVERYWHERE
General Admission
Subject: Experiential Learning
COSI delivers exceptional exhibits at every turn, including hallways and public spaces. Explore science and industry-themed displays featuring stunning photography, sculptures, and interactive exhibits. These thought-provoking collections are all included with general admission.
General Admission
Subject: Experiential Learning
NANO
Nanotechnology is all around us! This interactive hallway exhibit explores what nanotechnology is, where it’s found, and how it impacts daily life. Watch nano particles in action and uncover their surprising uses. Find it on the first floor near the American Museum of Natural History exhibits.
RUBE GOLDBERG
Located in the Level 1 hallway near Gallery 1, this exhibit showcases whimsical cartoons of Rube Goldberg machines: intricate contraptions designed to complete simple tasks in the most over-the-top way possible. It also highlights a national competition where student teams build their own elaborate and hilarious machines, bringing Goldberg’s playful ingenuity to life.
MEMORY MACHINE
Located between Gallery 1 and Ocean on level 1 at COSI, you will find our Memory Machine interactive art exhibit from local artist Daric Gill. We often focus on what iconic places around the world look like, but not too much about what they SOUND like. In this exhibition, you'll hear some sounds from the hustle and bustle near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, a thunderstorm in the Swiss Alps, what behind Niagara Falls sounds like and much, much more! This is a way to encourage curiosity and catalog memories for others to experience. It is made with mostly recycled materials and uses motion sensing. For more information around the artist, please visit https://daricgill.com/author/dgillart/
MICHELLE STITZLEIN'S "MOTH SERIES"
Michelle Stitzlein has been creating sculpture with recycled materials as a full-time artist since 2000 in her Baltimore, OH, studio. Her work has been shown in art and craft museums nationally. The “Moth Series,” was inspired by moths in her backyard and the premise that recycled materials have the capacity to metamorphose into larger objects of great beauty.
SCIOTO GREENWAYS
The large wall mural on Level 2 communicates the Scioto Greenways project happening on the river including removal of the Main Street Dam, improvement of the ecological systems and river habitat, and creation of a stunning 33-acre greenway through Downtown. Additionally, an interactive exhibit on Level 1 – Dirty Water Fountain – helps to educate the public about river ecology.
MEET THE INNOVATORS
Discover how today’s experts are making the vehicles of tomorrow in COSI's Meet the Innovators exhibit. Using hands-on exhibits and video interviews, encounter local innovators and explore their careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Learn how STEAM-based skills can help prepare tomorrow’s innovators to create the as-yet unimagined transportation technologies of the future.
CRACKER JACK
For 120 years, this American made snack food has been a favorite for many. Visit the Cracker Jack history exhibit in the south hallway on the mezzanine level. View hundreds of historic Cracker Jack prizes and memorabilia.
CENTRAL HIGH EXHIBIT
Did you know that a large portion of the COSI building was actually a high school? Opening in 1924, Central High School served as the main high school for the downtown Columbus area until 1982. COSI opened at this location in 1999. Learn about the history of this building from students and teachers who were here during the time this was used as a school in this exhibit. Located behind the atrium on level 1.
Nikola Tesla Panel
The Tesla Panel exhibit at COSI invites guests to explore the fundamentals of AC power through an eye-catching hallway installation. Visitors can use their iPhone to scan a QR code located on the panel to unlock deeper content, videos, and hands-on learning moments that explain how alternating current powers our world. This quick, engaging stop offers a modern twist on energy science that connects everyday technology with the innovations that shaped our electrical future. This exhibit is brought to you by Yetzer Studio.
COSI CLASSICS
FOUCAULT’S PENDULUM
Visit the iconic COSI pendulum in our front entrance in front of our atrium. Did you know that the original COSI pendulum can be found in our history of COSI exhibit in our progress gallery? Pendulums have been a part of COSI since the first building opened in 1964. Learn about the physics behind this device while you watch it count down the hours.
LOCAL HISTORY AND COSI MODELS
On display in the hallway near the Progress gallery, you will find two architectural scale models of our current COSI building.
HOT AIR BALLOON
Have you ever wanted to control a hot air balloon without being inside it?
OPTICAL ILLUSIONS
Found throughout the mezzanine and level 2 public spaces, you will experience how optical illusions function as you see them for yourself!
GIGANTIC
Gigantic is the name of the wire Skelton you will see suspended over the walk way on level 2.
Recycling
In partnership with SWACO, COSI presents a unique recycling exhibit on Level 1 near the Big Science Park entrance.
FACES OF SCIENCE
Located on the first-floor hallway near Molecules, Faces of Science highlights women professionals in STEM, inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
