An exploratorium of worldly wonders.

• Position: Exploratorium - What's New?

Housed within the walls of San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts museum, the Exploratorium is a collage of hundreds of science, art, and human perception displays. Filled with interactive exhibits, its mission is to nurture curiosity in the world around us. However, if you cannot make the trip to Northern California, you'll still be able to experience firsthand the wonders of science by picking up a few items from the Exploratorium's online store. With books, science kits, puzzles, gifts, and gadgets, you're sure to find something to satisfy any interest. Here are a few of the offerings:

Theo Grays Mad Science Experiments You Can Do at Home-But Probably Shouldn't ($24.95) demonstrates scientific principles through extreme experiments, illustrated with full-color photos. Readers can learn how to launch a toy rocket with the energy released from an Oreo cookie or how to create a homemade hot tub by adding 500 pounds of quicklime to water. This is the perfect book for anyone fascinated by all things electrical, chemical, or explosive and who loves a vicarious thrill.

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Even kids with very little experience with scientific activities will be able to build a frog that harnesses the sun's energy to...