Invention
at Play is a highly interactive, engaging and
surprising traveling exhibit that focuses on the
similarities between the way children and adults
play and the creative processes used by innovators
in science and technology. It departs from traditional
representations of inventors as extraordinary geniuses
who are “not like us‚” to celebrate
the creative skills and processes that are familiar
and accessible to all people. Visitors of all ages
experience various playful habits of mind that underlie
invention.
Two versions of Invention at Play have
been traveling. The original version of the exhibition
(3500-4000 sq. ft.) contains case studies of 5
inventors with briefer stories of many additional
inventors; artifacts from the collections at the
Smithsonian's National Museum of American History;
a variety of small and large-scale invention interactives;
4 videos; and several components, including an
activities cart, that feature a combination of
art, science, and digital technology.
The smaller version of the exhibition (1700 sq. ft ) was created for museums and venues that may not be
able to accommodate the original version. It contains case studies of 3 inventors
with briefer stories of several additional inventors; a variety of mechanical
invention interactives; and 2 videos.
The Association of Science-Technology Centers
(ASTC) managed the tours of both versions of the
exhibition. For information on ASTC, visit
the ASTC Web site.
