
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History creates exhibits for visitors over 14 years old. That is the age demographic that can read and understand the labels and most interactives in the exhibits. As a result, adults often have to explain the information on the labels to young children in the exhibits. However, children learn most by engaging in various forums of play. The NMNH Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation created Spark!Lab, a space that allows for children to become inventors. The center has also created a new exhibit titled I Am A Game Changer, which showcases objects and stories of inventors and innovations in the sports world. Here is the link to the I Am A Game Changer exhibit. This article will explore how the interactives at Spark!Lab inspire young girls to become inventors and change the world.
While any visitor is allowed to come in and participate in the interactives in the space, the Spark!Lab is for children between the ages of 6-13. With the majority of the interactives for children in that age demographic. The staff at the Spark!Lab focuses on creating interactives that are inclusive to both boys and girls. The first part of the interactive is where children are encouraged to design their own invention that goes with a particular prompt. Every week, the prompt changes and usually asks the children to design a new product or tool that could improve the world. The second part of the interactive allows the children to create that design out of paper, cardboard, pipe cleaners, straws, popsicle sticks, and any other materials on the table. This encourages children to think outside the box and get creative. The children are encouraged to display their innovations in the room to inspire others and showcase the creativity that the center instills in their young visitors.
During my time as a volunteer, the prompt for that week was to design a sneaker. One young girl, around 6 years old, decided to design and create a sneaker with power jets on the back so that she could run faster in gym class. When I asked her what materials she used to create her sneaker. She explained that this was a prototype (and yes, she used the word prototype) made out of paper, cardboard, and pipe cleaners. However, for the real shoe, she would take the prototype to a shoe company and have them make it out of the same materials as the shoes she was wearing. I don’t know if a sneaker with a jetpack attached to it so that humans can walk and run faster is the future of sneaker design, but this is a great example of how the Spark!Lab encourages young girls to believe they can invent anything they want without any restrictions or limitations.
-Lindsay Guarnieri
Junior Girl, Curatorial
Girl Museum