Eureka! You Can Innovate!
Muzeiko Children’s Science Center, Sofia, Bulgaria
2019
Morse Code Interactive Kids can recreate the sending of a telegram using Morse code. Each side of the station has a telegraph key and a graphic Morse alphabet decoder. One child taps out a message using the code and the key, while the child on the other side of the divider receives and decodes the message. The second child can then reply in code using their key to transmit to the first child to receive and decode it.
Project Description
This 1,200-sf temporary/traveling interactive exhibition encourages the recognition that everything non-natural in the world is an invention – sparking curiosity about the process and history of innovation and inspiring kids to discover their "inner innovator." The interpretive framework was based upon the six steps of the innovation process. Each step is explored in depth with historical case studies and fun interactives to engage young minds in the process of innovation.
Senior Interpretive Services Manager
Established interpretive strategy based upon the six steps of the innovation process – “Think It!” (identify a problem), “Explore It!” (conduct research), “Create It!” (design and make a prototype), “Try It!” (encounter failure), “Try Again!” (test and evaluate), and “Tweak It!” (make improvements). Researched and developed content and interactive concepts. DIrected image and artifact research. Wrote content outlines, narratives exhibit scripts, and final label copy.
With SKOLNICK Architecture+Design Partnership
Weird and Wacky Innovations Two sets of steps let kids test Slinky’s action. One set of steps are all the same height and depth, which Slinky descends smoothly all the way to the bottom. The other steps are of different heights and depths. Slinky can only progress so far, before it loses momentum on a low riser and piles up on the next step without going any further. Two children playing together can race Slinkys to see which performs better.
Miniature Penny Farthing Bicycle Each of the six Innovation Kiosks features content-related objects acquired for the project. In the “Try Again!” section, this early version of a bike preceded the innovation of two equally sized wheels connected by a chain drive.
Original Bell Telephone Interactive A sound-insulating panel separates the two sides of this station. A child on one side picks up the old-fashioned butterstamp-shaped transmitter and turns the crank to call the operator. A recording says, “Connecting your call.” On the other side of the station, the phone rings and another child picks up the receiver to speak to the first child.