Genius Station

Genius Station

Discover your inner genius with our Geeks! We’ve got our very own science experts who are ready to geek out all day, every day.

Ages
4+
Admission
Included with General Admission
Perfect For
Puzzle Solvers
Scientists
Techies & Gamers
Location
First Floor, inside How Does It Work?
Accessibility
See Accessibility
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are the state standards for Texas public schools from kindergarten to year 12.
TEKS
Science
About the Exhibit

The Flint Hills Resources Genius Station provides an opportunity to engage with professional science educators to answer scientific problems, get support with homework or science fair projects, or experience the sheer joy of geeking out about a topic of interest. With an extensive repertoire of teaching tools, experiments, and demonstrations, the Geeks will pique your interest with exhilarating experiences that take learning to the next level. Science is about discovery—geek out with us and discover the genius in you!

Genius Station is staffed by a rotating team of “Geeks,” including:

  • Gretchen Schmaltz, the Lead Geek, has more than a decade of experience facilitating science-based programming in both formal and informal learning environments.
  • Dr. Tammy Barette was an associate professor at Keystone College in Pennsylvania and is currently a crime scene analyst for the greater Houston area.
  • Jacob Breier is CMH’s resident 'Maker,' and geeks out about everything STEAM- from digital fabrication to music.
  • Alleigh Stuart has a background in laboratory research, experience in higher education, and a passion for biology and chemistry.
  • Keith Ostfeld, aka “Mr. O” from O Wow Moment segments seen on KPRC Channel 2 on Saturday mornings, has been geeking out about STEM for 25 years in both middle and high school classrooms as well as the Museum.
Educators

Genius Station Geeks have incredibly diverse backgrounds, special interests, and unique experiences in both formal and informal education.  Contact us for advice on creative ways to introduce a particular concept in your classroom, or help in creating extension opportunities that give your students access to science beyond the classroom. We are here to help in any way we can!

More for Educators
Ages
4+
Admission
Included with General Admission
Perfect For
Puzzle Solvers
Scientists
Techies & Gamers
Location
First Floor, inside How Does It Work?
Accessibility
See Accessibility
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are the state standards for Texas public schools from kindergarten to year 12.
TEKS
Science
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What Parents are Saying

“The Geeks go out on the floor and talk to the kids and ask them open-ended questions. If a kid looks curious but shy, the staff will ask him or her to help with the demo. Their passion for science really comes through in their interaction with kids—it shows.”

Charla H.

Parent

“Top Museum and Landmark to Visit in Houston”

2017

“Houston’s Must-See Museums”

Houston’s Top 5 Museums

Exhibit Features

There’s a lot to see and do in this exhibit—check out some of these unique activities!

Customized Experiences

Explore a topic with a Geek.

Why does it require more energy to travel to space from Earth’s surface than from Neptune’s? How can a gecko run on top of water? Geeks are ready to help you learn more!

Ongoing Explorations

Learning doesn’t stop when you leave.

Let our Geeks recommend at-home experiments and digital learning tools, or suggest exciting challenges to get the whole family involved in practicing science.

Keep Learning

Dig deeper with a Geek.

Partner with a Geek to complete an experiment or study a topic in detail over the course of several visits. Let us know what your interested in so that we prepare for your next visit!

What Can My Family Do?

Here are activity suggestions for specific age groups in this exhibit.

Toddler Activities

  • Build a sculpture out of magnetic materials.
  • Build structures with the Keva Planks.

Preschooler Activities

  • Use air as a force in the Amazing Airways.
  • Pump air to launch a rocket to the ceiling.
  • Watch how balls move in the Ballcoaster.

Lower Elementary Activities

  • Bring a science homework question or get help with a science fair project.
  • Ask to program a robot to complete a course you design.
  • Ask to learn how to lift latent fingerprints.

Upper Elementary Activities

  • Bring a science homework question or get help with a science fair project.
  • Ask to program a robot to complete a course you design.
  • Partner with a Geek to become a citizen scientist and help do research.

Exhibit Guidelines and Rules

Thank You to Our Exhibit Sponsors
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Thank You to Our Exhibit Sponsors

Bring the Museum Home with You

Keep the inspiration, invention, interaction and imagination going.

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Download the MoreCMH App

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