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Spark!Lab

In Spark!Lab, we believe everyone is inventive. Every day we provide opportunities for children and families to explore their inventive creativity—to create, innovate, collaborate, and problem-solve—because these experiences empower kids to develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed today and in the future.

This learning space is made possible by The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., with additional support from the Ford Motor Company Fund and Chevron. 

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Spark!Lab

Full Color Sound

Can you hear color?

Spark!Lab

National Week of Making in Draper Spark!Lab

As part of the National Week of Making, we gave a few visitors a sneak peek of Spark!Lab.

A crutch made up of various 3D printed pieces
Spark!Lab

Has 3D Printing Become a Crutch?

My go-to tool in designing and maintaining activities for Spark!Lab is a 3D printer. I've designed and printed over 100 different parts. Is 3D printing a crutch?

Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab, Looking Back and Moving Forward

2014 was a giant year for Spark!Lab that saw our staff spread our message across the United States and around the world. This year should be equally—if not more!—exciting.

Spark!Lab

Let’s Think Like Inventors

As we prepare to open the latest Spark!Lab National Network site, our new partners share their thoughts on adopting the Spark!Lab spirit.

Spark!Lab

Inventing to Fuel the Inventive Thinking of Spark!Lab Visitors

Follow along as our new Interpretive Exhibit Coordinator goes through the invention process to solve a problem in Spark!Lab.

Prototyping a music activity with visitors.
Spark!Lab

An International Spark!Lab Workshop

Recent visiting colleagues toured hands-on spaces at the Smithsonian and learned the process of developing activities.

Curator Steve Turner with a scientific instrument
Spark!Lab

Reinventing Spark!Lab

To get inspiration for themes and activities as we develop the new Spark!Lab, the team has been taking "field trips" to different collections areas in the Museum. Here are some highlights from our visits to the Physical Sciences and Medical collections.

A student uses CAD software on a laptop
Spark!Lab

Calistoga Elementary School 5th & 6th graders decide to… Invent It!

There was no stopping the creativity, diligence, and problem-solving going on inside student brains at Calistoga Elementary School.

Spark!Lab

Reflections Going Forward

Former Lemelson Center staff member Steve Madewell reminisced about the closing of the original Spark!Lab.

Sparky logo
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab At the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation

A look at Spark!Lab.

A view into Spark!Lab.
Spark!Lab

A Look Back at Spark!Lab

When we opened Spark!Lab nearly four years ago, I had no idea what we were in for.

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