In Draper Spark!Lab, the Lemelson Center’s hands-on invention workshop at the National Museum of American History, we use museum objects to engage...
Last week, I was part of one of my favorite moments—welcoming a new Spark!Lab site to the network. The magic of Spark!Lab comes alive with the first...
In early 2020, our Spark!Lab exhibit space, along with much of the world, closed until further notice. We are now more than a year into that closure...
The Invent It Challenge is an annual competition that inspires students around the world to unleash their inner inventor! The competition was created...
This year, students’ anticipation of winter break feels different (for parents, too!). It’s less about a break from school for those who have been...
Since 2011, in partnership with Cricket Media, we have invited young inventors (5 to 18 years old) to take on a real-world problem, come up with...
Inventors work everywhere, but many get started at home, using things they find around the house to prototype, or model and test, their inventions...
Use your problem-solving skills (and your sense of humor) to answer the question, “Now What?”Play on a small screen . . .InstructionsClick “NOW” first...
Wondering what to do with a rainy winter day? If you’re a Brownie Girl Scout interested in earning your Inventor badge, come visit Draper Spark!Lab at...
Working with the Spark!Lab National Network, I get asked by interested museums, “How would my museum connect to hands-on invention education?” From...
The Spark!Lab Dr. InBae Yoon Invent It Challenge, hosted with Cricket Media's ePals portal, is underway! This year's Challenge, open to those five to...
When so many people come into your learning lab, you’re going to see a plurality of outcomes. Some groups arrive with no intention at all and, just...
How do you allow hundreds of museum visitors to create their own Muppet-like creatures? Better yet, how do you do that without glue—and in such a way...
The White House recently hosted its fifth annual Science Fair and invited students from across the country to exhibit their projects. All of them were...
It’s 11:45 p.m. local time when I land in Delhi, India. After nearly 20 hours of traveling, I’m happy to have arrived at my final destination. (I’m...
“Growing up with cerebral palsy made me a stronger person and very determined to succeed. Inventing has given me confidence and a way to help myself...
On January 17—which happens to be Kid Inventors’ Day—the Lemelson Center launched the 3rd Annual Global Spark!Lab Invent It Challenge. Hosted in...
One of the best parts of working for the Lemelson Center is having the opportunity to meet so many cool inventors. In recent years, I’ve met NASA food...
