Spark!Lab

Included with museum admission

Spark!Lab is a hands-on invention workspace where children and their families and friends can learn about and engage in the history and process of invention. It is a space to engage the entire family while presenting challenges ranging from simple to complex and allowing all visitors to recognize their inner Inventor! W

Invention is a process.
Everyone is inventive.
Invention and innovation have been – and continue to be – an important part of the American Experience.

History, science, engineering, and art are incorporated throughout the lab.

activities

Invent-A-Vehicle: Build a vehicle to be used on another planet. Vehicles are made from reusable materials, and components are on a scale that encourages collaboration and imaginative play.
Soundscapes: Use different parts and pieces to create music and pathways for marbles. See what sounds are made with different configurations.
Marble Run: Learn about geometric shapes, engineering, physics, magnets, number counting, and architectural and structural design while building a marble run.
Hex Bugs and Kapla Blocks: Design a maze for the Hex Bugs. It needs to have 3 beginnings/ending points.
Spark!Lab Jr: Read a book, measure the distance between two objects, and examine bugs under a magnifying glass are just a few of the activities awaiting our younger guests.
STEM Stencils: STEM is everywhere! The Solar System. A Cheese Pizza. Music. Animals. Using the various stencils provided, create a new game. Draw a Flow Chart to describe your day. Plan your next vacation. The Universe is the limit!

Spark!Lab History Month Theme:

S!L Theme: Spooky Science

Bulletin Board 1: Creepy Cosmic Creatures; Spooky animals that went to Space
Bulletin Board 2: Spooky Stellar Stars

Spark!Lab Hands-on Learning Activities

Location/Times: Spark Lab (Each event is within Spark!Lab. Spark!Lab hours of operation 9 a.m. - 4 p.m)

Mondays – Hands-on Learning – Botley the Spider: code Botley and catch as many bugs as you can.
Tardigrade Thursdays: Come learn and observe tardigrades under the microscope.
Fridays – Pumpkin Parachutes: Using geometric shapes, build your own pumpkin parachute to float in the wind tunnel.