Tricia Edwards, Smithsonian's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention & Innovation
Lemelson Center is housed within the National Museum of American History and studies invention and innovation, including the study of inventors labs to learn how to support innovative activity.
Smithsonian's mission: exist for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.
Vision- a world in which everyone is inventive and inspired to contribute to innovation.
*everyone is inventive and capable of problem solving- this can be minimal or massive!
*everyone is inventive and capable of problem solving- this can be minimal or massive!
Lemelson center has explored how (and if!) physical spaces and geographic regions foster innovation and creativity.
Place matters-
Important characteristics in a creative space
-Flexibility and adaptation of space and materials
-Opportunities to change configuration
-Accessibility of materials (ease of access, visibility, room arrangements)
-Tools & Materials (many multidisciplinary inventors with a wide variety of materials)
-Solo & Collaborative workspace
-Inspiration (opportunities for varied creation, humor, interest pieces) *Options are inspirational! Variety and access provides opportunities for wonder & exploration.
-Flexibility and adaptation of space and materials
-Opportunities to change configuration
-Accessibility of materials (ease of access, visibility, room arrangements)
-Tools & Materials (many multidisciplinary inventors with a wide variety of materials)
-Solo & Collaborative workspace
-Inspiration (opportunities for varied creation, humor, interest pieces) *Options are inspirational! Variety and access provides opportunities for wonder & exploration.
**Much of these examples are drawn from individual inventors with some group collaborations - most of these examples were not representative of opportunities for young children.
Is it possible to apply these characteristics from inventors' spaces to education environments?
It can be!
-Practical, functional design and access to materials allows opportunities for families.
-Smithsonian NMAH Spark Lab (check it out here: http://invention.si.edu/try/sparklab) varies from month to month providing a mix of consumable materials & non-consumable manipulatives.
-Practical, functional design and access to materials allows opportunities for families.
-Smithsonian NMAH Spark Lab (check it out here: http://invention.si.edu/try/sparklab) varies from month to month providing a mix of consumable materials & non-consumable manipulatives.
-Displa
y of objects relating to themed activities to provide inspiration.
-Greeter at entrance to help shape guest expectation & guidelines for the space, as it differs from the traditional format of the rest of the museum.
-No specific instructions or expected outcomes.
-Great to see that they are using many materials similar to what we have on 2nd floor (flip top tables, etc.)
-Question challenges to evoke creation experiences.
-Important to understand that what you intend for an activity may not happen!
-Provide access to all materials to allow for visitor autonomy (this is within reason and with relevant materials).
*Lots of open shelving with bins used to allow access - extremely reminiscent of classroom work stations.
-No specific instructions or expected outcomes.
-Great to see that they are using many materials similar to what we have on 2nd floor (flip top tables, etc.)
-Question challenges to evoke creation experiences.
-Important to understand that what you intend for an activity may not happen!
-Provide access to all materials to allow for visitor autonomy (this is within reason and with relevant materials).
*Lots of open shelving with bins used to allow access - extremely reminiscent of classroom work stations.
Tips Shared:
-Put things on lockable wheels & avoid build-ins!
-Use open & visible storage as much as possible- stackable & labeled things are your friends!
-Wide range of low tech tools & materials
-Ensure access to information (simple labels/signs/ BOOKS!, possible tech for staff to answer questions -ipads, etc.)
-Provide opportunities for creative collisions (collaborations) and alone time
-Include elements of inspiration- music, natural light, art, children's work
-Provide activities that can be scaled up or down (ideally, hit the ZPD for the range of ages that may visit).
-Put things on lockable wheels & avoid build-ins!
-Use open & visible storage as much as possible- stackable & labeled things are your friends!
-Wide range of low tech tools & materials
-Ensure access to information (simple labels/signs/ BOOKS!, possible tech for staff to answer questions -ipads, etc.)
-Provide opportunities for creative collisions (collaborations) and alone time
-Include elements of inspiration- music, natural light, art, children's work
-Provide activities that can be scaled up or down (ideally, hit the ZPD for the range of ages that may visit).
-Rina
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