Permanent exhibition

The Aha?! Science Lab is the interactive area at the Senckenberg Natural History Museum in Frankfurt. Here, you can get involved yourself: examine fascinating objects from nature, help with real research projects, and talk to scientists from our museum.

Natural science thrives on the fascination of discovering unknown things, understanding connections, and gradually gaining a better understanding of the world. In our Aha?! Science Lab, you can pursue your own research questions and explore scientific phenomena, guided solely by your curiosity and your own impulses.

The scientific collection, compiled especially for the Aha?! Science Lab, comprises over 100 objects from nature that can be touched and examined. Technical workstations equipped with microscopes and binoculars offer the opportunity to view the objects magnified, discover breathtaking structures, and immerse oneself in the hidden world of the microcosm.

Since July 2025, the Aha?! Science Lab has been offering numerous hands-on activities on the topic of the “Messel Pit.” In our newly designed niche, you can examine 47-million-year-old fossils such as coprolites, leaves, and even an original fish. You will also learn more about the outstanding importance of the Messel Pit as a fossil deposit and hear from our team about what Senckenberg scientists find there and how they research the fossils.

Those who want to focus on specific topics (weighing dinosaurs, counting tree rings, or perhaps examining shark teeth?) can grab “research kits” to learn about natural history phenomena step by step and develop their own research questions. Painting and drawing supplies also enable visitors to explore natural history topics artistically.

Another special feature of the exhibition: experience real science up close. How? For example, by participating in citizen science projects in the Aha?! Science Lab. Here you can evaluate camera trap images from Martin Jansen’s WildLIVE! project or sort mollusk sand for our malacology section. In addition, Science Live events take place regularly. Here, our scientists visit us in the exhibition, provide exciting insights into their work, and are available to answer any questions. Would you like to know when the next Science Live event is taking place? You can find our calendar here.

Have we piqued your curiosity? Then come visit us – we look forward to seeing you and answering your questions!

We would like to thank the Stiftungsallianz for the Aha?! Science Lab, which supports the operation and further development of the Aha?! Science Lab.

We would like to thank the sponsors who support the Aha?! research workshop and the organization of numerous events.