Museum Closed April 16-17

The Museum will close April 16-17 for building maintenance. VDM will reopen April 18 from 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

STEM Lab: Kinetic Cars

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Learn more about Virginia Discovery Museum exhibits by visiting our Exhibits page or contacting Programs & Gallery Manager Sabrina Collins at sabrina@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x105.

Things to Explore
  • Service Station: Can you make a tall, bulky truck? How about a short, compact car? Does the size of your car affect its speed?
  • Testing Textures: Down which ramp do you think your car will roll the fastest? Slowest?
Kinetic Racetrack

On your mark, get set, go! Build customized wooden cars piece-by-piece by matching front, middle, and back sections to a wheeled base with shape connectors and magnets. Then send your finished racers down six differently sloped and textured ramps and across the finish line as you practice fine motor skills and explore force, mass, motion, and friction. This exhibit was created in collaboration with the University of Virginia Rodman Scholars Program and UVA Facilities Management.

Exhibits Map


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Photo Policy

By visiting the Museum, you grant permission for any photographs of you and your dependents to be used for educational and promotional purposes. If you do not consent and wish to opt out of this policy, please inquire at the Front Desk or call (434) 977-1025.