Science Onstage
COSI’s exciting live science shows are included with your admission or Membership. Program schedules are available at the Box Office and Guest Services Desk. Select live shows have limited seating and may be showing seasonally for a limited time.
Rat Basketball
Cheer your favorite rat on to victory! COSI’s two resident superstars, a pair of Japanese Black Hooded rats, play a thrilling game of one-on-one in this live demonstration of operant conditioning.
The Electrostatic Generator Show
In this age-old COSI classic, you’ll learn how mutual attraction and electrostatic charge can produce a truly hair-raising experience.
Science of Fireworks
Explore the science behind the oohs, aahs, and wows of fireworks, with lots of explosions along the way. How do fireworks get in the air? Why do they blow up? And what's with all those colors? Don't miss the grand finale, with a roomful of colorful explosions that bring it all together. May 27, 2020 - July 12, 2020
Pumpkin Patch Science
Join our Gadgeteer for a fun and spooky look at all the things that make us think of autumn. Changing leaves, cool weather, and... explosions? Don’t forget the flying turkeys and flame-throwing pumpkins!Sept 26, 2020 – Nov 22, 2020
Animals Inspiring Innovation
Learn about how animals have inspired innovations in science and meet some of our live animal ambassadors.
Hocus Pocus with a Science Focus
Mystical mayhem abounds with our most magical explosion show ever! Experience tantalizing trickery to confound the senses as our performer blends mystifying illusions with solid scientific explanations and makes a few things explode along the way.
Chemistry LIVE!
Dive into the spectacular side of science with the most breathtaking chemical and physical changes out there in COSI’s most explosive show. Will it be loud? Oh, yes!Jan 8, 2020 - Nov 22, 2020
It's So Cold It's Hot
If you think it's cold outside, come in to the Gadgets Stage for an explosive look at our favorite frozen demos, from dry ice to liquid oxygen. The show climaxes with a three-barreled liquid nitrogen salute, Boom! Boom! BOOM!Aug 1, 2020 - Sept 7, 2020
Holiday Lights
Our intrepid gadgeteer takes us on a whirlwind tour of holiday lighting - from the single candle to the electric lamp, with stops along the way for explosions, liquid nitrogen fun, and a reindeer-powered generator that triggers 12,000 holiday lights! Nov 25, 2020 - Jan 10, 2021
Modern Dinosaurs
Meet a living dinosaur and find out how we know it is one! This show includes live animals.
Animal Show
Meet some of COSI’s live animals in little kidspace daily at 1:20pm (excluding Thursday and Sunday).