The Pfizer Foundation Biochemistry Discovery Lab at the New York Hall of Science welcomes visitors to explore even more hands-on fun! The Biochem Lab, built with a $250,000 donation from the Pfizer Foundation, is the first hands-on lab in the world that is open to the public and devoted entirely to biochemistry, the chemistry of living things. A family or small group is able to gather around one of the tables in the lab and use materials and pictorial instructions to do an experiment. There are 12 different experiments best suited for ages 8 and up, but younger children are welcome to try them, too. Visitors will discover that molecules—those bits of things too small to see—are the stars of the show.

Developed to accompany the Marvelous Molecules exhibition, the Biochem Lab gives participants an opportunity to explore molecules of living things through experimentation. "This lab space is designed to introduce our visitors, especially children, to do what scientists do—science experiments. In the exhibition they are introduced to molecules in living things and in the lab they can do an experiment. I think this is a very exciting combination," said Martin Weiss, Ph.D., director of science at the Hall.

The new Biochem Lab answers questions such as where flower colors come from, how antacids work, how cheese is made and how bees communicate. By extracting the colored molecules from flower petals, visitors can find out why roses are red and violets are blue. Crush up an antacid tablet and find out how the molecules in antacids relieve heartburn. Make cheese and find out about the molecules that help make it. Children and adults alike will have fun while they learn and experiment.

Step into the new Biochem Lab to measure, mix and mash to find the answers to these and other questions. "The Biochem Lab is hands-on, fun and exciting, but it also takes a giant step in educating the public about science and medicine," said Rick Luftglass, director, U.S. Philanthropy, Pfizer Inc.

The Pfizer Foundation Biochemistry Discovery Lab is funded by: Pfizer Foundation; National Science Foundation; Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.

Click here for The Pfizer Foundation Biochemistry Discovery Lab hours