Curiosity is the driving force behind science, and a new exhibit at the University of Arizona Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium immerses visitors in the wonder of scientific discovery.

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"Universe of Science" is an interactive exhibit that explores everything from microscopic worlds to monsoon storms to the farthest reaches of deep space. Designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, the exhibit reflects both the excitement of scientific discovery and the world-changing research taking place at the U of A.

"'Universe of Science' is our newest and most dynamic exhibit and we are excited to share it with our community" said Kellee Campbell, executive director of Flandrau. "The exhibit was 100% funded by philanthropic support. Flandrau is sincerely grateful to Michael and Beth Kasser, Armstrong McDonald Foundation, Ruth McCormick Tankersley Charitable Trust, Thomas R. Brown Family Foundations and the Joseph Stanley Leeds Foundation. It is their generosity and shared vision that made this exhibit possible."

Bill Plant, exhibits director at Flandrau, said the goal of the new, permanent exhibit is to make science exciting and accessible for everyone.

"Science is a human endeavor, and we're all born curious," Plant said. "We wanted to create a space dedicated to curiosity and exploration. We wanted to illustrate what being a scientist looks like: how you become one, what the career path entails, and the impact scientists have."

The exhibit is of collaboration between staff at Flandrau, which is part of the College of Science, and U of A researchers. It is structured around five broad fields of study: Earth sciences; life and molecular sciences; mathematical and computational science; neurocognitive and behavioral science; and physics and space science.

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"We really wanted to give visitors an opportunity to learn and better understand the science happening every day at the University of Arizona," said Michael Luria, assistant dean for community and corporate engagement at the College of Science. "This exhibit brings science to the community, fulfills our land-grant mission and reflects the College of Science's broader impact. We made sure to incorporate as many viewpoints as possible so that this exhibit not only represents the university and the college but also has broad appeal and is truly meaningful for the Tucson community."

"Universe of Science" features a variety of interactive stations designed to bring scientific concepts to life. The Inner Scientist Mirror allows guests to see themselves as different types of scientists, complete with descriptions of various careers, while the Scientific Images Guessing Game challenges visitors to identify the subject of microscopic, satellite and telescope images.

Those curious about real-world research at the U of A can listen to firsthand accounts from researchers on video screens throughout the exhibit, where scientists share insights into their work, careers and passion for discovery. Meanwhile, the Periodic Table Explorer offers a hands-on way to connect elements with their real-world applications through an interactive touch-screen kiosk.

The James Webb Mirror Wall showcases a full-scale replica of Webb's primary mirror, highlighting the U of A's role in space exploration. Marcia and George Rieke, both Regents Professors in the U of A Steward Observatory, were instrumental in developing technology for the project. Marcia led the development of Webb's primary imager, NIRCam, one of the most sensitive infrared cameras ever built. George leads the science team for MIRI, an instrument expanding Webb's reach into the infrared spectrum.

Visitors can also experiment with weather patterns at the Create a Monsoon station – where they can adjust conditions to generate a desert storm – or test their knowledge in the AI Challenge, where they must correctly identify real photos against AI-generated images. Visitors can test their ecological knowledge in the Lifezone Survival Game, where they must correctly match plants and animals to their respective habitats.

From the moment visitors enter "Universe of Science," they are encouraged to think like scientists, Plant said. The exhibit is designed to spark curiosity through interactive displays, thought-provoking questions and hands-on experiences that cater to a wide range of learning styles.

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"One of the things I love most about this exhibit is its ability to surprise people," Plant said. "Even as someone who helped curate the AI Challenge, I still fail it sometimes. It really demonstrates how advanced technology has become and encourages visitors to think critically about the role of AI in science."

For the particularly observant, there are hidden details to discover. 

"Our exhibit designer, Shiloe, likes to hide a character named Ferg, a little frog, throughout our exhibits," Plant said. "You'll find versions like 'Space Ferg' with a helmet or 'Geologist Ferg' with a pickaxe. If visitors look closely at the signage, they might spot him."

Josey Scott, a 5-year-old Tucson Community School student, recently visited the exhibit at Flandrau. 

"I had a lot of fun," he said. "The games were kind of hard, but I really liked the survival game."

The Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the Flandrau ticket counter and include access to all science center exhibits, plus a planetarium show. Tickets are $26 for adults ages 16 to 64 and $18 for college students with ID or children ages 3 to 15. Children up to 2 years old do not require a ticket, and there is a $4 senior and military discount. Exhibit-only and show-only tickets are also available.