Living Laboratory® is a unique, educational on-site research program that brings local scientists into the Museum's exhibit halls to share their current research with the public. Families visiting the Museum are invited to participate in active research studies and talk informally with scientists about their work.

The Discovery Center's research collaborators are scientists from local universities and hospital labs that are engaged in research related to children's development and learning. To learn more about participating in a Living Laboratory study, please see our Frequently Asked Questions, or email livinglab@mos.org.

Collaborating researchers are trained by museum educators to talk with visitors about the scientific study of how children learn, and discuss what the findings mean for children’s day-to-day activities. Scientists from collaborating laboratories are in the Discovery Center exhibit each day, conducting studies and answering questions about their work.

To learn more about how Living Laboratory is impacting scientists around Boston, check out "Day at the Museum", an article from the Association for Psychological Science.

Living Laboratory is expanding its work at the Museum. This fall, a new Living Lab site will open in the Hall of Human Life. Studies in this expansion program will examine current topics in research related to human biology.

We look forward to your feedback about your experiences in Living Laboratory as we continue to develop new opportunities for you to learn about current science that is happening right here in Boston!