The new Science Forum is a wood-lined, intimate space featuring a stunning film about Michigan's natural history on an expansive 20-by-5-foot LED screen that immerses the viewer in the beauty of Michigan. The film, narrated by community members of all ages, explores how the state's natural environment came to be. This free film runs approximately every 10 minutes.

Visitors can also meet U-M scientists in the Forum on most weekends at 1:00 p.m. These scientists have been trained to translate complex research into understandable terms either through the museum's Science Communication Fellowship program or with RELATE—a communications training and community engagement program designed to improve the dialogue between researchers and the public. 

Student docents present science demonstrations on Saturdays and Sundays in the Forum at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Many of these demonstrations have been developed with faculty based on their research. Click here for the current schedule.

"The new museum isn't just about exhibits," said Amy Harris, museum director. "It's also designed to bring visitors face-to-face with scientists, whether in the Visible Labs, the Science Forum, or just a casual encounter with a researcher in the café."