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Get hands-on with the history and the process of invention! Try all sorts of ways to get creative!

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SparkLab and Smithsonian logos on the window looking into the Holland Museum SparkLab space. Five children and one adult woman can be seen through the window, working at tables, but the people are out of focus.
Spark!Lab Network

Holland Museum Joins Spark!Lab National Network

Spark!Lab opens in a Michigan town with a rich history of invention.

Hannah Correlli, a young woman with short, dark hair and wearing jeans, a hoodie, and a yellow SparkLab apron, stands with her back to the camera, working on an articulated human cutout form in the “Create a Costume” activity in SparkLab.
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Hannah Correlli

Our staff’s newest addition brings fresh, relevant perspectives to the invention lab.

SparkLab facilitator Zach Etsch standing in SparkLab, wearing his yellow staff apron and a funny hat made from a propeller beanie and brightly-patterned paper cones over each ear.
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Zach Etsch

Our veteran Spark!Lab Lead Facilitator loves to educate, engage, and empower our museum visitors.

Three-quarters profile view of a free-standing stereoscope. It has curved ornamental metal legs and a carved upright support. A stereograph is in place in the holder.
DO Try This at Home!

D.I.Y. Victorian Virtual Reality

Make your own stereoscope and experience the nineteenth-century predecessor to today’s virtual reality technology.

Sparky logo
Spark!Lab

Guidelines for Visiting Draper Spark!Lab with Groups

We invite groups to join in on Spark!Lab's hands-on fun!

Think It Graphic with lightbulb
Encouraging Innovative Thinking

The Spark!Lab Dr. InBae Yoon Invent It Challenge

It's time for the 7th annual Invent It Challenge! Get all the details about the 2018 challenge.

Sparky logo
Spark!Lab

2018 Spark!Lab Hours

Here is the schedule for Draper Spark!Lab, our hands-on invention workshop for children and families.

3 figures from Dr. InBae Yoon US patent 3,870,048 showing 3 ring-shaped parts of his tool for minimally-invasive tubal ligations.
Encouraging Innovative Thinking

The Legacy of Dr. InBae Yoon

Dr. Yoon passionately believed—like we do—that everyone is inventive.

One woman works on an activity as 3 others look on. A sign on the vertical board in front of her reads Try It!
Spark!Lab Network

The Spark!Lab National Network Comes to Washington

Network members discussed challenges, brainstormed new ideas, and, of course, networked!

A stylized drawing of a compact fluorescent light bulb surrounded by a solid orange circle with a green border
Encouraging Innovative Thinking

Books to Encourage Inventive Thinking

These books available in the Draper Spark!Lab help our visitors find inspiration and information about invention, innovation, and creativity.

Sparky logo
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Accessibility Resources

We want to ensure that everyone who visits Spark!Lab can feel and be inventive.

Mary Kate Robbett at blackboard writing Can you Sketch an Invention?
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Mary Kate Robbett

The most recent addition to the Spark!Lab crew, this former NMAH ambassador has already brought her enthusiasm and museum experience to thousands of young visitors.

Close-up of Spark!Lab Lead Facilitator Nyssa Buning
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Nyssa Buning

Having been involved with Spark!Lab in several capacities, this Lead Facilitator continually strives to enhance the visitor experience.

Text sign: Ask Bbout Spark!lab Accessibility Resources
Encouraging Innovative Thinking

Because Everyone Is Inventive

The Spark!Lab team makes a commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

Anna Mayfield
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Antanesha Mayfield

This Spark!Lab veteran loves hearing about kids’ inventions almost as much as she loves her new baby girl.

A young girl works on the Invent a Skate Park activity
Encouraging Innovative Thinking

A Toolkit for Developing Innovators

Tricia Edwards shares practical tips for creating innovative learning environments

Spark!Lab Lead Facilitator Natalia Febo
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Natalia Febo

Even in her time away from the Smithsonian, this Lead Facilitator is a master maker.

Spark!Lab Floor Manager Jocelyn Knauf
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Jocelyn Knauf

Although she doesn’t describe herself as ‘an inventor,’ Spark!Lab’s Floor Manager espouses the exhibit’s innovative spirit — in visitors’ lives and her own.

A TechShop staff member demonstrates a new tool.
Spark!Lab

A Spark!Lab for Grownups

Recently, I got to visit TechShop in nearby Arlington, VA. What I realized following our visit is that TechShop is basically the grownup version of Spark!Lab.

Interpretive Exhibits Coordinator Tim Pula in his workshop, located inside Spark!Lab so visitors can watch him at work
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Tim Pula

Infusing his projects with a passion for the invention process, Spark!Lab’s Interpretive Exhibit Coordinator develops clever and practical solutions.

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