Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on July 31, 2026.
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When the Carnegie Science Center announced it was rebranding to be the Kamin Science Center thanks to a generous donation from the Kamins, word trickled down that many exhibits at the facility would begin to get a refresh over time.
We were quite excited for this one as we always love new and updated exhibits in our local museums.
One of the major overhauls was the announcement of a new exhibit, Science of Speed, taking over the annex building that held SportsWorks. After a significant changeover, this one opened to the public in August 2026, and I got a chance to check it out ahead of opening for a media preview.
Let's take a look at all the new features in this one!
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Breaking Down the Science of Speed
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The Science of Speed takes a comprehensive look at everything that goes into the sport of racing.
Where fans may just see cars going fast around a track, there is a lot of science and engineering that goes on behind the scenes, be it for the operation of such high-powered machines, track design, aerodynamics, safety, and so much more.
The wing of the Science Center does an excellent job with great exhibits diving into many of these topics, with memorabilia, photographs, and even full-sized race cars and motorcycles to really pull things together.
But beyond these, the Science of Speed wants guests of the museum to really feel like they're part of the action, and this exhibit features three premium experiences that come with an extra charge on top of general admission- two high-end simulators and one three-level go-kart track!
The simulators let you feel like you are a driver in a race and come built in with an almost 4D-like experience where the seats bump, shake, and move alongside the action on the screen, and one simulator is set up so you can race a participant in the slot next to you, too.
These are no standard racing video games, that's for sure!
But the crown jewel of the Science of Speed is the three-level go-kart track that takes up the vast majority of the wing. Much like the simulators, this one requires an additional purchase (more on those details in a moment) and features an F1-like experience for riders in go-karts that top out at about 45 mph.
On the surface, this one looks like just another go-kart course, but when you are racing others in this one, you really feel the difference as the sharp turns and increase in grade due to the various levels add an entirely new dynamic into the mix that we've never experienced before. It is a whole lot of fun!
Races here are time-limited (about six minutes), and you can get many laps in depending on how good you are at controlling the vehicle and passing others. During my lap during the media preview (which was shortened compared to a normal experience), I was able to lap a few of my slower colleagues, and had to dodge a few that had spun out as well! Don't worry on the latter, though, as many safety procedures are in place and cars can be automatically slowed down by the staff when needed.
Overall, the racing was quite enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to going back for one of their 18+ nights to try again as well as enjoy an adult beverage in their on-site bar and restaurant. So let's dive into some of the practical logistics of visiting this one next!
Quick Notes About the Paid Experiences
The Science of Speed is a hybrid museum experience where some of the displays can be enjoyed on a general admission ticket (such as most of the museum pieces about the science of speed), and others require an extra charge beyond general admission to the Kamin Science Center.
The simulators and the three-level go-kart experiences are extras that require payment to enjoy, which are admittedly quite expensive; however, during regular business hours, guests can enter the hall on a general admission ticket and are not required to buy the add-ons to see this wing of the museum.
For those who are racing the go-karts in particular, they have two types of vehicles, one for children (with a minimum height requirement of four feet and minimum age of seven) and one for adults (with a minimum height requirement of four-and-a-half feet and minimum age of 13, plus max weight requirements). It is worth noting that these cars are structurally different, and for safety reasons run in their own heats- so adults and kids may not necessarily race together unless the kids are above the age/height requirement for adult vehicles.
One other element that we are looking forward to checking out more of in the future is that the Science of Speed will also be open after museum hours on Thursday to Saturday evenings for adults only (18+). As far as we are aware, entry to this one will be free; however, the premium simulators and go-kart experiences will have an extra charge to enjoy, with the go-kart races being a bit more expensive than during the day since entry tickets are not required.
A nice little bonus here will be that this one has an on-site kitchen and bar as well, and has the makings for a different kind of evening experience for adults (especially if you're 21+ for the libations). So while we may not swing by and do a half dozen races in the go-karts due to the cost associated with a single race, we admit that a walk on the river trail ending with a drink, go-kart ride, and some simulators sound like a fun evening in the North Side to us all the same!
We have the need for speed!
The Science of Speed is a permanent exhibit that opened up at the Kamin Science Center in August 2026. Entry into the wing is included with general admission to the museum during business hours and free during 18+ after hours nights; however, the simulators and go-kart races require an additional fee in both instances.
