The Science of Spying

Start date: Saturday, May 23, 2009
Event is ongoing: Until Monday, January 4, 2010

The exhibition is one of the biggest and most exciting family attractions of the year, offering curious young minds and intrigued adults a unique, entertaining and educational insight into the mysterious and daring world of spying. The Science of Spying tests each visitor’s ability to crack codes, gather information, and use the technologies of real life spies as they embark on an undercover mission.

“From ‘Kim Possible’ to ‘007’ to ‘Harriet the Spy,’ the word ‘spying’ conjures up images of clever heroes and heroines, adventure and cool high-tech gadgets,” said Nicole Small, CEO of the Museum of Nature & Science. “Real spying also relies heavily on technology, math and science. The Science of Spying gives the whole family a taste of the equipment and techniques used in the world of modern espionage, and the chance find out what it’s like to become a real spy for the day.”

On arrival each visitor is recruited for training. Trainee spies enter through a covert entrance, receive a personal spy ID card and embark on a secret mission. The Spy Training Base puts them through their paces and uses a series of interactive challenges from disguise, code-breaking and lie-detection to discover if they have what it takes to make it as a spy.

In the Technology Center, visitors will get to check out real life spy gadgets, such as night vision goggles, spy planes, hidden cameras and learn how they enhance traditional skills. They can even have a biometric face scan and use it on their first mission to infiltrate the shadowy organization, OSTEK. During their mission in Spyworld, trainee spies will need to evade counter surveillance and escape without detection. Can they get through a body or brain scanner, sneak in undetected and discover the hidden clues in a series of interactive challenges?

When spies reach their target, a secret stash of futuristic spy gadget prototypes will be waiting in the Spy Future Lab including the bizarre sounding ‘super-powered leg,’ ‘stress-monitor watch’ and ‘face-modification mask.’ Can they discover the final piece of the puzzle and save the day? And then all they need to do is fool the intelligent TV cameras and escape.