If your family is anything like ours, you probably know at least one person in your house who’s obsessed with sharks. For us, it’s our daughter Olivia, who constantly reminds us that “sharks are just misunderstood.” So when we heard that a brand new Sharks exhibit was opening at COSI, we knew we had to check it out.
Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint.
This new exhibit is a fascinating deep dive (pun intended) into the ancient, diverse, and often surprising world of sharks. It’s an experience that’s educational, interactive, and—yes—totally jaw-some for the whole family.
What is the Sharks Exhibit at COSI?
COSI’s Sharks exhibit, organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, explores the rich history, biology, and incredible diversity of sharks. Featuring life-sized shark models, interactive activities, and real fossils, this immersive exhibit takes visitors on a journey back over 450 million years to when the earliest sharks ruled the seas—long before the dinosaurs ever walked the Earth.
Pro tip: The Sharks exhibit is included with general admission to COSI, which makes it a fantastic value for a family outing.
Highlights From the Exhibit
Ancient Sharks
Sharks have been around for hundreds of millions of years, and the exhibit brings that prehistoric legacy to life. One of the most jaw-dropping parts (literally) is the life-sized model of the Megalodon, the largest predatory fish to ever live. Standing next to this behemoth really puts things into perspective.
There are also fossils of other extinct species like the Helicoprion—better known as the “buzzsaw shark” thanks to its wild spiral jaw.
Teeth and Jaws Galore
Did you know that sharks constantly replace their teeth throughout their lives? The Teeth and Jaws section is full of jaw casts from all kinds of shark species, like the serrated teeth of the great white or the shell-crushing chompers of the zebra shark. Olivia thought this was “so cool but also kinda creepy,” which felt like the perfect mix for a science exhibit!
From Giants to Glowing Mini Sharks
We also learned that not all sharks are enormous. Some deep-sea sharks are small enough to hold in your hand—and they even glow in the dark! This section explores why different shark species evolved to be different sizes and how their environments shaped their features.
Super Shark Senses
This might’ve been my favorite part. The exhibit explains how sharks and their relatives like rays and skates have superpowered senses. From detecting electromagnetic fields to navigating with sound, sharks are basically the superheroes of the ocean.
There’s also a swell shark display that shows how these sharks glow in dim light—and a real largetooth sawfish blade that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Is the Exhibit Kid-Friendly?
Yes—but with a few notes!
Olivia is 8 and absolutely loved it. She read nearly every sign, asked a million questions, and left wanting to tell everyone all about it. Finn, who’s 4, liked looking at the giant shark models, but the reading-heavy sections were definitely a little much for him. That said, there are plenty of visuals and hands-on elements to keep younger kids engaged, even if they don’t dive as deep (pun intended again, sorry).
If your kids are in that 7+ age range and love science or sea creatures, this exhibit will be a hit.
Plan Your Visit
📍 Location: COSI – Center of Science and Industry, 333 W Broad St, Columbus, OH
🗓 Exhibit included with general admission
🎟 Buy tickets online
Make it a full day by checking out other exhibits, grabbing lunch in the café, and letting the kids run wild in the Kidspace area.
Final Thoughts: Worth It?
Absolutely. The Sharks exhibit at COSI is a brilliant blend of science, history, and wow-factor. It’s the kind of exhibit that sparks questions, encourages deeper learning, and makes for a memorable day out in Columbus.
Whether your kiddo wants to be a marine biologist or just likes cool animals, this is one adventure you won’t want to miss.
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