What is Reality

What is Reality is a series of evolving experiences that prompt us to think about what’s “real.” Challenge your perceptions while exploring a broad variety of mind-bending topics alongside scientists and innovators who are shaping the future.

Experiences are constantly rotating and evolving as they highlight immersive and innovative technologies.

Featured Experiences

Uncovering Reality

In a data-driven world we rely on charts and graphs to help us make sense of the information that shapes our reality, but which are trustworthy? Check out this virtual exhibit, created by PacSci with the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public, to learn more about some of the common ways data visualizations can be accidentally distorted or intentionally manipulated – and why that matters. View the virtual exhibit

Intro to VR

New to the VR scene? Try out Intro to VR. Every day we will offer a rotating set of experiences that demonstrate the diverse, captivating and often times magical possibilities of VR as an immersive technology–all in bite sized chunks. Intro to VR is included with admission and no ticket is required. Please sign up for experiences  in Lower Building 4. Ages 6 and up required.

Additional Experiences

Here is a sample of the types of questions raised and activities to take part in throughout the Science Center:

• A Rock with a Reputation: Go ahead, Google the Coso Artifact. Now come see the real thing at PacSci.

• Augmented Reality on the Big Screen: These experiences rotate, and currently showing are Light Writing and Astronauts, Dinosaurs, and Droids, Oh My!
• Breaking Bias: If our beliefs form our reality, then each person’s reality is different and constantly changing. What does that look like in day-to-day life? Guests speak up in this contributed experience.
• Color and Light: This color wall is a cool selfie spot: the actual colors remain the same despite what your brain tells you. Truth.
• The Future Machine: A merger of old and new, familiar and alien, this art piece heralds the role of creativity and collaboration in determining the shape of our future, brought to PacSci by Electric Coffin.
• Impossible Triangle: A simple interactive that’s all about your point of view.
• The Mirror Path: When your brain has to re-figure how to do an activity like walking the results can be surprising and surprisingly silly.
• Shades of Reality: Remember that internet dress? The one that still sparks arguments about color? Shadows and light help us understand shapes and colors but what happens when they are positioned in unfamiliar ways?
• Recalling Reality: Test your memory to find out how imperfect our recall can be! “Do I know you?” will make you think about the accuracy of eye-witness testimony.
• Self Reflected: A new technique called reflective micro-etching enabled these scientist-artists to create a view of the brain that provides an intimate look at the beauty of consciousness.
• Swinging Stripes: Our brains constantly use sensory feedback to interpret the physical reality around us. What happens when your brain is tricked?
• Through your Eyes: A rotating series displaying opinions from our guests on everything from “What makes something alive?” to “What’s the most important invention in the history of humankind?”

Read More on the PacSci Blog

What’s Happening e-Newsletter Sign-Up