If spending the day with the family playing around with physics sounds like fun, then you should absolutely visit the neat American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge, TN.
Run by the Department of Energy, the museum covers Oak Ridge’s past history, current projects in its labs, and what it is looking to accomplish in the future. There are lots of interactive exhibits, from a movie explaining what the Manhattan Project was all about, to letting you operate a tiny supercomputer.
Like so many locals, I grew up knowing that Oak Ridge had a super important part in building the atomic bombs. The old guard towers dotted around town made an impression on me as a kid so I knew it was top secret back in the day. But I don’t think I quite understood the reality of what they were doing and are still doing at the Oak Ridge National Labs until I visited AMSE. There is some really cool science going on over there!
This is our family’s review of the American Museum of Science and Energy.
Why We Like The American Museum Of Science And Energy (AMSE)
- The museum isn’t large (in fact it is really one huge room) and they have packed a lot to see into that room.
- Many of the exhibits are interactive with levers and buttons to push. That kept the kids engaged.
- The videos and exhibits detailing the history of Oak Ridge and building the bomb are really well done. It was one of my favorite parts.
- The fun brain buster area for kids (and this adult) was another favorite section. You can practice your problem solving and engineering skills.
A Brief History Of Oak Ridge And The Manhattan Project For Those Who Aren’t Familiar
(Its important because that’s why the AMSE is located in Oak Ridge.)
Oak Ridge has a fascinating history as a “Secret City” that was constructed during WW2 for the Manhattan Project, the top secret program to build the first atomic weapons. Thousands of scientists, engineers, builders, and other workers were brought in just a few years to accomplish this scientific feat, working in massive buildings like K-25, the largest building in the world when it was constructed.
Even though the Manhattan Project is over, Oak Ridge National Labs (ORNL) has continued its legacy as a place of cutting edge science, becoming a center for advanced materials manufacturing and boasting the world’s fastest supercomputer.
What To Expect At The American Museum Of Science And Energy
The museum is basically one big room with several partitions marking off areas for demonstrations and the hands on area.
The big room has lots of free standing exhibits clustered in 5 main groupings:
- The Manhattan Project
- Big Science
- National Security
- Energy Leadership
- Environmental Restoration.
Special Exhibits
We saw the electron microscope when it was on loan to the museum. It was really nifty to see in action and we were amazed by the level of detail of everyday things, such as an insect leg or a penny.
The special exhibitions change every few months, so be sure to check the website for what’s on currently.
Demonstrations
We participated in the demonstration of the always impressive Van de Graaf generator, which shows static electricity on a big scale. The kids never cease to find this to be hilarious. I believe they have had this machine since I was a kid so somewhere in my Mom’s collection there is bound to be a picture of me with my hair standing straight up. It is kind of a right of passage in our family.
Museum Hours
- Monday thru Saturday: 9am – 5pm
- Sunday: 1pm – 5pm
- As always, double check hours on the website
Ticket Prices For The American Museum of Science and Energy
- Youth, seniors, and students with ID- $5
- Adults- $10
- Children under 5 are free
Frequently Asked Questions
What Age Children Can I Bring To AMSE?
You can bring any aged children to the museum. The exhibits cover some pretty advanced concepts like super-computing and neutron generators, so this is actually one of the few science museums we have been to lately that is better for the middle to high school crowd rather than the elementary school crowd.
But the 10 year old with us still had a blast with the hands on activities and there were plenty of exhibits that piqued his interest. I just think my high schooler understood some of the exhibits a little better.
Is This The Oak Ridge Science Museum?
Yes, AMSE is probably the museum you want if you are looking for the “Oak Ridge Science Museum.” Locals might remember the previous, larger building but this is the same museum, just in a new home since 2018. I was confused at first too because I remembered going to the other building as a kid.
There is also a new K-25 History Center about that part of the Manhattan Project but that museum is much more about the history of K-25 and the Manhattan Project specifically. While the AMSE does cover the Manhattan Project, it covers more broad science topics as well as, such as what the Oak Ridge National Labs is doing now.
How Long Should I Expect To Spend At AMSE?
Plan on at least an hour, two hours tops if you have older, science-minded kids.
We spent about 2 hours in the museum including watching all of the videos, looking at the special exhibits, and participating in the demonstrations. I am a pretty thorough museum person who likes to read everything so we definitely covered just about everything there was to do.
Where Is The American Museum of Science and Energy?
The museum is Oak Ridge, TN, just about 20 minutes away from west Knoxville.
It moved from its old location in 2018 and is now at 115 Main St East, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Look for it at the corner in the big shopping center with Belk and the Cinemark movie theater.
Where To Eat In Oak Ridge Near AMSE
Big Ed’s Pizza is our favorite place to eat in Oak Ridge because of the pizza and because of the nostalgia. They just had their 50th birthday and I don’t think much has changed since day 1. If you have never been there, it is a must-do. Just don’t expect anything fancy, nor anything besides pizza and drinks (soft drinks and beer but no wine). Not kidding- no salad, no sides, no dessert. Just delicious pizza for a great price. Closed on Sundays. The beer list is their only concession to modern times and they carry a pretty impressive list of local craft brews ($4, draft only).
Dean’s Restaurant And Bakery If pizza doesn’t do it for you (or the line is crazy long) then walk a few doors down from Big Ed’s to Dean’s, a more traditional southern cooking restaurant. Fill up on a delicious sandwich, salad, or meat and three entree but be sure to leave room for one of their homemade desserts.
Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab & Kitchen is near Big Ed’s also and has ice cream (duh) but in unusual flavors (think lavender).
Calhoun’s Oak Ridge is on the banks of Melton Hill Lake in what might be the most scenic location of this local chain restaurant. I live for their beer cheese and pretzels. In addition to the quality BBQ you can always count on at Calhoun’s, you can walk it off afterward on the Oak Ridge Greenway just outside the door.
Aubrey’s is another local chain and serves tasty, american style food for a decent price. I am a big fan of their salads. Aubrey’s is our go to spot when we have a crowd of people that can’t decide what they want because good salads, sandwiches, burgers, and specials goes over well with everyone.
Other Museums In Oak Ridge That Are Worth Checking Out
Bus Tours Of Manhattan Project Sites In Oak Ridge
If you love the history of the Manhattan Project, you can take one of the museum’s bus tours around Oak Ridge, visiting the K-25 history center, Oak Ridge National Labs, and New Hope Visitor Center. The tours leave from AMSE at 9am on the dot and you need to show up at 830 am to have your ID checked. You must be an American citizen and have a valid photo ID to go on the tour, I guess for security at Oak Ridge National Labs.
Bus tours are only offered from spring to fall. The tours last 3 hours and are open to kids older than 10, but check the website or call the number for AMSE (865) 294-4531 for more details and to buy your tickets ahead of time.
Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge
If you have younger kids, the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is my number one place to go. We loved it so much that I would drive almost an hour there even after we moved to Maryville.
In an old school building, each room has a theme to explore, such as space, Appalachia, rainforest or trains, and more. The waterworks room where kids can play at moving boats down a dam network and learning how locks work was a source of hours upon hours of fun for the kids. Even adults are hard-pressed not to try it out. Love, love, love this museum.
K25 History Center
A new museum built on the site of the old K-25 plant, I really enjoyed this look at the inner workings of this plant, the largest building in the world at the time it was built.
K- 25 was devoted to uranium enrichment through gaseous diffusion, not necessarily an engaging topic for kids but the museum is very well designed, explaining the concept through easy diagrams and interactive exhibits. Plus, it has lots of first hand accounts of the extreme secrecy of the project which the kids found interesting.
Final Thoughts
The American Museum of Science and Energy is an interactive and educational place to spend an hour or two and definitely a unique resource to East Tennessee. Not many regions have a world famous national laboratory in their backyard. So come learn a little more about the Manhattan Project and what ORNL is working on now and get excited about the future of science. Plus, you can get some hands on science fun for kids and adults!
Happy Trails! Amanda
