Technology Around the Globe
Traveling by rail across the country, observing the world from a satellite view, reaching new planets… In these museums in Asia, America and Australia, you can discover exciting parts of technological progress.
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya. Photo: Fotolia – coward lion
ASIA
China
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum – Shanghai
The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum in Shanghai. Photo: Fotolia – paveldvorak
Among other exhibits, China showcases its space development in this museum. On display are objects from information technology, the aerospace industry and a comprehensive collection of exhibits from natural history to the high tech.
Highlights: Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou V and various rockets
Kids will love: ‘Train of Science’ with interactive programs
Admission: Adults: 45 CNY, Kids (6–18): 22 CNY
Japan
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park – Nagoya
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya. Photo: coward lion
Here, railway fans get their money’s worth. Trains important to the Japanese rail history are featured in the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park.
Highlights: Railroad history relics, the Shinkansen, a Shinkansen simulator
Kids will love: A special playroom lets kids experience the railway up close
Admission: Adults: 1,000 JPY, Kids: 200 JPY
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology – Nagoya
Toyota Museum in Nagoya. Photo: Fotolia – vadiml
The Toyota Commemorative Museum gives insight into the life of Toyota Founder Sakichi Toyoda and exhibits not only automobiles but also the machines of the textile industry. It also highlights the Japanese automotive industry and industrial modernization.
Highlights: Old circular looms, early Toyota car production facilities
Kids will love: Children’s Area and library, specially designed wind tunnel
Admission: Adults: 500 JPY, Children: 200 JPY
South Korea
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum – Seogwipo
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in Seogwipo. Photo: Screenshot
Explorer and Cartoonist Robert L. Ripley collected curiosities on his travels to 198 countries, which are on display in this museum.
Highlights: Models of the world’s tallest human, the heaviest human, the longest neck, and extraordinary vehicles
Admission: Adults: 12,000 KRW, Youths (14-19): 11,000 KRW, Kids (4-13): 10,000 KRW
Samsung Innovation Museum – Suwon
Samsung Innovation Museum in Suwon. Photo: Samsung
The Samsung Innovation Museum is all about the electronics industry and all that Samsung Electronic has achieved in the IT industry.
Highlights: Technical innovations in electronics, lighting and telecommunications, with a focus on Samsung products
Admission: Free
www.samsunginnovationmuseum.com/
OCEANIA
Australia
Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum – Carnarvon
The Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum in Carnarvon. Photo: Fotolia – Ritu Jethani.
Everything here revolves around space travel and satellite technology. It also pays tribute to Australia’s role in the US space program in the 1960s and 1970s.
Highlights: Launchers and satellite transmission stations
Admission: Adults: 10 AUD, Kids: 6 AUD
Museums Discovery Centre – New South Wales
Museums Discovery Centre in New South Wales. Photo: Fotolia – monkey business
The Museums Discovery Centre (MDC) is a collaboration between the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS), the Australian Museum (AM) and the Sydney Living Museum. It deals with innovative technologies that have changed the life of humanity – from the industrial age to the present.
Highlights: Experimental exhibits, Workshops
Kids will love: School programs
Admission: Adults: 10 AUD, free for Under-16s
maas.museum/museums-discovery-centre/
The Nostalgia Box – Perth
The Nostalgia Box in Perth. Photo: The Nostalgia Box
In Western Australia, 70’s childhood memories are revived! This interactive video game museum displays old game consoles and early PC software.
Tickets must be booked online in advance. This ensures that everyone can play at the console of their choice and the museum is not overcrowded.
Highlights: Interactive gaming
Kids will love: School holidays program
Admission: Adults: 17 AUD, Kids: 12 AUD
New Zealand
Museum of Transport and Technology – Auckland
The Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland. Photo: Fotolia – Sean Heatle
At the “MOTAT”, it’s all about transport. You will find everything from steam locomotives to carriages and fire engines to exhibits for space travel.
The museum is divided into two locations, each housing a collection – one of aircraft, one of terrestrial vehicles. A dedicated tram line with historic vehicles connects the two locations for the visitor.
Highlights: Flying boats from Pan American World Airways can be found outdoors, model railroad
Kids will love: Early childhood education programs
Admission: Adults: 19 NZD, Kids: 10 NZD, free for Under-5s
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre – Sault Ste. Marie
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. Photo: Fotolia – Robert Cocquyt
Here, visitors will not only find a large collection of typical bush pilot aircraft, but also everything related to the history of bush-flying and forest conservation in Canada.
Highlights: Flight simulator, 3D presentation on firefighting with aircraft
Kids will love: Educational programs, Kids’ Flight Center
Admission: Adults: 13.50 CAD, Kids: 3 CAD
Canada Aviation and Space Museum – Ottawa
Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. Photo: Ingenium
The national aviation museum of Canada is a Mecca for all aviation enthusiasts. It mainly features military aircraft from all over the world, as well as a cross section of the machines of the Canadian Air Force and their engines.
Highlights: Space exhibition, biplane from Germany (1st World War)
Kids will love: School program
Admission: Adults: 15 CAD, Kids (3-17): 10 CAD
ingeniumcanada.org/aviation/index.php
Science World – Vancouver
Science World in Vancouver. Photo: Telus World of Science
Canada’s scientific Disneyland presents the world of science in a family-friendly format. Special attention is given to academic education.
Highlights: Multi-sensory Birdly flight simulator – flying as a virtual reality experience
Kids will love: Technology and physics experiments
Admission: Adults: 27.15 CAD, Kids (3–12) accompanied by an adult: 18.15 CAD
US
Museum of Science and Industry – Chicago
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Photo: J.B. Spector Museum of Science and Industry
Visitors to the Museum of Science and Industry experience physics and chemistry up close, with explanations of natural phenomena and on-site experiments.
Highlights: Visit to an old coal mine, the German submarine U 505 – captured by the United States during the Second World War
Kids will love: live and interactive experiments, Wow-Tour with a look behind the scenes
Admission: Adults: 21.95 USD, Kids (3-11): 12.95 USD
San Diego Air and Space Museum – San Diego
San Diego Air and Space Museum in San Diego. Photo: Fotolia – auremar.
The San Diego Air and Space Museum is one of the world’s leading aerospace museums. A large film and audio collection as well as special World War II exhibitions and the world’s only GPS satellite on display await visitors.
Highlights: Flight simulators, 3D/4D cinema
Kids will love: Workshops, Summer Camps, Little Engineers for Kids between three and five.
Admission: Adults: 19.95 USD, Kids (3-11): 10.95 USD, Kids (0-2): Free
The Smithsonian – Washington
The Smithsonian Museum in Washington. Photo: Smithsonian
Everything about art, design, science, technology, history and culture can be found here, in the largest collection in the world, spread across 19 museums, galleries and gardens in Washington, D.C. and New York. There are an incredible 154 million artifacts to discover.
Highlights: Space Shuttle Discovery and the Apollo 11 Capsule
Kids will love: Interactive games and the Learning Lab
Admission: Free, with fees for some special exhibits
SOUTH AMERICA
Brazil
Museo do Amanhã – Rio de Janeiro
Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Bernard Lessa
Back to the future, in the heart of Brazil, in a science museum that promotes the discovery, contemplation and planning of the possibilities of the future.
Highlights: 360-Degree dome with a one-of-a-kind virtual journey through the cosmos
Kids will love: Interactive learning experiences on the cultural history of Brazil, and the days of slavery
Admission: Adults: 20 BRL, Kids: 10 BRL, Tuesdays free admission for all
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