Powering the Future

Energy is everywhere — it’s even in you!

Understand energy!

Powering the Future is Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s newest major permanent exhibit, exploring how energy shapes our everyday lives today and tomorrow. Put science into action while going down a two-story spiral slide or scaling a climbing structure, turning your own potential energy into kinetic energy. Explore how industrial structures like power grids really work by building your own. Dig deep into how power sources like gas, electricity and batteries shape our world with artifacts ranging from a 1923 Milburn Light Electric Automobile to a modern-day geothermal panel. And learn all about careers in the field and how we can all work together to create a more sustainable future. Construction for Powering the Future is currently underway in the Museum’s South Balcony. The exhibit will open in early 2026. Powering the Future opens in early 2026 and will be included in General Admission.

Renderings: Bridgewater Studio The exhibit is made possible by lead donor Exelon Foundation; contributing donors Nicor Gas and Invenergy; and donors CDW, Ecolab, JL Family Foundation, Argonne National Laboratory, Hemlock Semiconductor Operations, LLC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hubbell Utility Solutions, and Enerdrape S.A.

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Inspire your inventive genius