The Spark!Lab National Network

The Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation was founded in 1995 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

through a generous gift from the Lemelson Foundation.

The Lemelson Center’s mission is to document, interpret, and disseminate information about invention and innovation; to foster an appreciation for the central role of invention and

innovation in the history of the United States; and to encourage creativity in young people.

Spark!Lab National Network

The Lemelson Center has a long history of developing successful educational programs and exhibitions. These include Spark!Lab, Invention at Play, Innoskate, and Places of Invention.

The Lemelson Center achieves its mission through in-depth research, public programs, events, publications,

exhibitions, social media, and its website. The LemelsonCenter records the past by preserving and increasing

access to records and artifacts; broadens our understanding of history through research, discussion, and dissemination of ideas; and looks to the future by engaging young people in the study and exploration of

invention and innovation. Spark!Lab staff prepare for visitors. Photo by Chris J. Gauthier

Autumn/Winter 2015

The Lemelson Center fosters inventive creativity.

Spark!Lab is a unique learning space. Children, families, and learning groups are given opportunities to explore their inventive creativity – to create, innovate, collaborate, and problem-solve – through hands-on inventing activities. At the same time, they learn about the invention process, inventors and inventions in American history, and innovations that are changing our world by interacting with facilitators, reading

exhibition materials, and observing objects. These experiences empower visitors to develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to succeed today and in the future.

Spark!Lab opened at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in 2008. Before closing for extensive renovations in October 2011, Spark!Lab provided learning opportunities for more than 600,000 visitors and was a resounding success. Evaluation confirmed that visitors viewed Spark!Lab as a satisfying, enjoyable, and educational experience. At the same time, museums across the country began to recognize the educational value of Spark!Lab. Demand for partnership grew, leading to the creation of the Spark!Lab National Network.

Reopened in 2015, Spark!Lab continues to provide valuable educational opportunities for visitors from around the world. Research, resultsfrom prototyping, and expertise developed by Lemelson Center staff through operating Spark!Lab fuel the Network.

Current Spark!Lab National Network Members:

Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History – Washington, D.C.Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum – Reno, NV

Science City at Union Station – Kansas City, MOBerkshire Museum – Pittsfield, MA

Anchorage Museum – Anchorage, AKMichigan Science Center – Detroit, MI (Opening April 2, 2016)

Spark!Lab National Network

“I definitely think they’ll take away something from this…you know, the idea that in America you can do anything and realize your dreams.”

– Chaperone from an inner-city, government funded camp

Autumn/Winter 2015

In Spark!Lab, we believe everyone is inventive.

Visitors love Spark!Lab because it offers a unique approach to hands-on making and learning. Rather than follow step-by-step instructions or create a specific product like they would at a traditional maker space, Spark!Lab visitors can

invent solutions to real-world problems. Spark!Lab encourages 21st century skill building and gives children the

freedom to put their own ideas into action.

Spark!Lab National Network

“Spark!Lab has had a strong impact on our members and membership…We see repeat visitation from members because every time they visit, they see and learn something new. Our membership numbers have increased substantially since we offered this as a benefit.”

– Christy Nitsche, Manager of Education, Programs, and Marketing Communication of Science City at Union Station

Visitors love Spark!Lab. Network member museums report significant

increase in membership sales and repeat visitation.

Autumn/Winter 2015

Photo by Chris J. Gauthier

Photo by Chris J. Gauthier

Spark!Lab National Network

“We feel privileged to be home to one of the Spark!Lab satellite locations. The ideas behind it are a good fit with the ideas we explore in the museum related to the North – how extreme environments support adaptation, invention, and creative problem-solving.”

– Julie Decker, Director and CEO of the Anchorage Museum

While a temporary exhibit can cost more than $100,000 for a three month rental, a two year membership in the Spark!Lab

National Network costs just $40,000. It includes:

• 10 Smithsonian developed and tested mobile activity kits with two years’ worth of materials and comprehensive training guides

• Comprehensive onboarding process with three in-person training sessions from Lemelson Center experts prior to opening

• Full suite of Smithsonian branding and logos for signage, marketing materials, and a variety of other licensed uses

• Customization opportunities to tailor activities specifically to the local community

• Membership in the Spark!Lab National Network community

For museums, Spark!Lab is a cost effective and community relevant choice for a hands-on learning and making space.

Autumn/Winter 2015

Spark!Lab National Network

“From the initial conversations to the opening and after, host sites are provided with detailed information on staffing and financial resource needs, hands-on training, email and phone support, and in-person visits. Monthly Google+ Hangouts provide continuing

opportunities to brainstorm and share best practices.” The Affiliate, Spring 2015

Consultation services for Network members provide knowledge and capacity building, both in Spark!Lab and for your entire museum.

Spark!Lab team members conduct a site visit at the Berkshire Museum. Photo by Chris J. Gauthier

Network members have exclusive access to Lemelson Center expertise through trainings, Google+ Hangouts, research papers, and consultation sessions. Staff advisors include historians, Spark!Lab activity developers,

visitor experience professionals, volunteer managers, and more.

Examples of valuable knowledge available to Network members:

• Developing new Spark!Lab activities • Recruiting and managing volunteers• Highlighting diverse inventors in American History• Partnering with local inventors and inventor groups• Accessing archival materials at the Smithsonian and in local

communities• Researching interdisciplinary invention and innovation topics • Organizing materials in a hands-on learning and making space

Autumn/Winter 2015

Spark!Lab National Network

“We knew Spark!Lab was designed to promote creativity and invention, what we didn’t know is how it would help develop a child’s self-esteem and a deeper understanding of their child’s potential among parents.”

-Van Shields, Executive Director of the Berkshire Museum

The Network is an expertly managed community with regular meetings and site visits, designed to provide highly effective

strategies that can be put into practice right away.

Membership includes:

• Two professional development site visits per year with trainings customized by Lemelson Center experts

• Monthly facilitated Google+ Hangouts to share ideas and learn from other Network members

• Access to free Spark!Lab activities created by Network members• Access to a wealth of expertise and knowledge through

unlimited consultation services • Other professional development opportunities, such as

presenting at conferences with Lemelson Center staff

Spark!Lab National Network Manager Michelle DelCarlo

conducts a Google+ Hangout during Spark!Lab

reopening events at the Smithsonian’s National

Museum of American History.

Photo by Chris J. Gauthier

The Spark!Lab National Network can be the most valuable membership association your museum has.

Autumn/Winter 2015

Spark!Lab National Network

“They loved the idea that they could do something that they never thought they could do. The knowledge that they were capable ofgaining was huge for them…kids nowadays are not used to just going out on their own and playing and discovering stuff on their own.”

-Parent visiting Spark!Lab with their child

Current Cost of Spark!Lab National Network Membership

Initial two year licensing agreement $40,000

Additional two year licensing agreements $10,000

We welcome your interest in the Spark!Lab National Network. We are currently accepting interest in new memberships

starting in Fall 2016 and beyond.

For more information, please contact:Michelle DelCarlo

Spark!Lab National Network Managerdelcarlom@si.edu ǀ 202-633-3706

Autumn/Winter 2015