Two hands-on rooms provide visitors ages 5 to 105 with opportunities to experience the museum in an exciting and interactive way. Docents assist visitors as they send messages on a telegraph, harness a mule, operate a cotton gin, investigate the clothing and deportment of 18th-century Americans, or participate in any one of more than 35 available activities.
Docents help visitors to extract DNA and to test water for chemicals and food for additives.
They also assist visitors as they measure radioactivity, work with magnets, or test their own intelligence. More than 20 activities are available in this learning center located within the Science in American Life exhibition. Designed for visitors of all ages, this room contains many natural science objects and encourages visitors to enjoy a learning experience through touch, smell, and taste. The exhibit is staffed by National Museum of Natural History docents whose functions include interpreting the exhibit, responding to visitors' questions, and assisting in the maintenance of the collections. Docents greet and talk with visitors, supervise animal handlings and demonstrations, and conduct tarantula feedings.