Smithsonian Spark!Lab at the Magic City Discovery Center

The Magic City Discovery Center is home to 12 galleries in their 28,000sq ft. building. One of those galleries is the Smithsonian Spark! Lab through the Smithsonian Institute based out of Washington, D. C. The center is 1 of 11 network sites that houses a Spark!Lab.

This space provides people of all ages to challenge themselves to think like an inventor or an engineer. There are different themed activities that provide a prompt to help visitors get started. It allows guests to come up with solutions based off current inventions and designs or by making their own creation. It is a space that encourages people to be creative, think critically, and problem solve.

One aspect that is unique about this space is that while an activity may have a prompt, it is okay if someone uses the materials provided to make a different creation with the supplies! For example, Mobile Masterpieces invites guests to make a mobile that may hang above a child’s bed or somewhere in their home, but a visitor may use the wooden dowel to create a fishing pole or a toy for their pet. Did they follow the prompt that was given? No, but they found a different way to use the supplies!

There is also an area in the Spark!Lab called Makerspace. This is an area that may have some activities out that have step by step instructions, but there are also times when various materials are available and prompts to help people get started with their making! Some prompts may be to make their own flag, to make an animal or toy, or make their own cardboard collage with the materials that are available to them.

The Spark!Lab and designated Makerspace is a space that encourages having an open mind and knowing that there are multiple different ways to use materials provided for an activity. There are no wrong answers, the prompts are there to help people get started if needed, and individuals are encouraged to think critically and to be bold with their idea. We hope that you have the opportunity to check out the Spark!Lab and Makerspace at the Magic City Discovery Center, where you can problem solve and make your own creations!

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