Looking for an educational and fun family outing in Zurich? Look no further than focusTerra, the Earth & Science Discovery Center at ETH Zurich. Plan to spend 30-60 minutes exploring a world of geological wonders, and enjoy completely free entrance.
There are child-friendly interactive exhibits covering a range of topics, from earthquakes and volcanoes to plate tectonics and climate change. Throughout the museum, you’ll find answers to questions like “How was the Earth formed?” and “Where do precious stones come from?”. The signage is in both German and English. My son enjoyed learning about earthquakes, while I appreciated the beautiful gemstones and minerals.
What makes focusTerra special is its connection to ETH Zurich, a renowned technical university. This ensures that the information presented is up-to-date and scientifically accurate. The museum also offers insights into current environmental issues and debates, making it relevant to today’s world. We learned about “Urban Mining” to find precious metals in recycled electronics, and the different metals needed to make all the technology we use today.
On Sundays, there is an earthquake simulator suitable for children aged 5 and up, accompanied by an adult. This unique experience allows visitors to feel the ground movement of earthquakes up to magnitude 8. We have not visited this simulator, as we lived in Greece and personally experienced several real earthquakes.
The museum is conveniently located in the heart of Zurich, just 50 meters from the ETH/University Hospital tram stop, or can be reached using the charming UBS Polybahn funicular. Next to the top station is the Polyterrasse, which offers beautiful views of Zurich, and it’s just a 5-minute walk from there to focusTerra. Please click here to learn more about the UBS Polybahn. If your children want to continue learning and exploring, there is a second free museum, the Natural History Museum, at the University, only a 5-minute walk away. Please click here to learn more about this museum.
The museum is stroller-friendly with an elevator at the entrance to the exhibit, but it is easier to navigate without a stroller. There is a cloak area where strollers may be parked, and the bathroom has a baby changing table.
While the museum isn’t particularly large, it makes up for its size with the quality and educational value of its exhibits. It’s closed on Saturdays, so plan your visit accordingly. Next time you’re in Zurich, don’t miss this gem of a museum that brings the wonders of Earth science to life.