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Science

Natural science

VGS

We use experiments from three centuries to understand how scientists worked with phenomena such as the northern lights and radiation from the 17th century to just after 1900.

Target group : VGS

Number : Max. 20 students

Duration : 45 minutes

Subject area : Natural sciences, history

In the event of non-attendance without cancellation seven days before the day of attendance, the client will be invoiced a fee of NOK 500.

Curriculum:

Science

  • discuss how the development of scientific hypotheses, models and theories contributes to our understanding and explaining the world (scientific practices and ways of thinking)

  • explore and describe electromagnetic and ionizing radiation, and

  • assess information about radiation and the health effects of different types of radiation

What happens in this learning offer?

The teaching takes place in the exhibition "Instrument. Stories about science.” Around us we have authentic scientific instruments from the 17th, 18th and 20th centuries, and we bring copies of some of these with us for the students to try out. Through experiments with static electricity, vacuum and magnetism, we examine how researchers in Europe tried to understand phenomena such as electricity and the northern lights, and along the way discovered X-rays, among other things.  

Description of the lesson:

We meet at the agreed place at the reception. Together we go to the exhibition and pick up experimental equipment that is ready on trolleys. First we talk about the scientific revolution in the 16th and 18th centuries, before moving through the exhibition and doing experiments at various stations. Our experiments are linked to preserved objects that are shown in the exhibition. As an example of a complex experiment, we create auroras using electricity, magnetism and partial vacuum. Finally, we summarize with any questions.

A girl in a lab coat raises her hand. Photo.
The teacher's role

We want you as a teacher to be active, participating and curious with the children during the visit. Students get the best results if they come prepared. Tell about what will happen, and check whether there is associated pre- and post-work for the teaching programme.

You as a teacher are responsible for the group during the entire visit.

Explainer is responsible for implementing the program. The teacher has overall responsibility for the students. You may be asked to help along the way.  

What you need to bring

If you want an invoice, include the resource number and the correct invoice address.

Preparations

Pre/post work
Order
When you come

One of the teachers in the group approaches the reception. We will then register that you have arrived and you will be allocated a cloakroom space and possibly cabinet for locking up valuables.  

Arrive at the museum no later than 10 minutes before the start of the program. Let us know if you will be delayed by phone. 22 79 60 00 . If you arrive late, the learning offer may be shortened or cancelled.

Find your way to the museum

Click here to find the way to The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology .

Rules at The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology

At The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology the same rules apply as at school/kindergarten. We will

  • be role models for each other
  • be kind to each other and the exhibits
  • use consensus
  • don't run.

ATTENTION: Everything behind barriers must not be touched.

Then we all have fun and contribute to a good learning experience. If you decide that your group can visit the museum shop, the teacher must be present as long as some of the children are there.

Lunch break

You can eat the packed lunch in different places; in the cafe, at the reception and outside the museum entrance. It is not allowed to eat or drink in the exhibitions.  

Payment options

Kindergartens and schools can pay by cash/card on arrival or bring an invoice.

For invoices, you must include the requisition or resource number and invoice address.

You meet one of us!

Portrait of a lady. Photo.
Others

Preparation:

Our learning offers do not require preparatory work, but it is always useful to prepare students for a museum visit. This can increase the learning outcomes from the museum activity, and links the classroom to the museum. Here are some wondering questions for the class, which can prepare and engage the students before they learn more about the topic at the museum

Wonder question

  • At the museum, we will do simple experiments with vacuum, electricity and electromagnetism. Some of these experiments were developed several hundred years ago.

  • What is the period in the history of science when the universities in Europe began to focus more on empirical experiments, observation and the scientific method often called? This is the time when, for example, the vacuum pump was invented, and microscopes and other optics were greatly improved. Do you know the names of any scientists from this time?

  • Among other things, we will use the phenomenon of the northern lights as an example of what was studied in physics in the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries. How would you explain what the Northern Lights are, especially how they occur?

  • Around 1900, Professor Kristian Birkeland often sat in a dark room without windows, in a building high up in the mountains in northern Norway, and studied the northern lights. How do you think he managed to do that if he couldn't look?

  • The terms "excitation" and "ionization" may come up while we talk together at the museum. How would you explain these terms?

  • Do you have examples of ionizing radiation? Are there types of such radiation that are of practical use in people's everyday lives? Are there any disadvantages to ionizing radiation?

  • Which material is one of the most common we use to stop or shield from ionizing radiation? Why is the radiation unable to penetrate the material?

  • Why can we easily take pictures of skeletal parts or bones using X-rays, while muscle and connective tissue and skin become less visible?

  • Do you know of an imaging technique where we can take pictures inside the body without using X-rays, and without inserting instruments through the skin or body openings? Tip: This technique may be more suitable for taking pictures of soft tissue than X-rays.

Finishing work:

Coming soon

The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology

See all opening times

Kjelsåsveien 143
0491 Oslo
Org. no.: 979676832

Tel: 22 79 60 00

The museum

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pdf photography and filming at the museum ( 82 kb )

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