The Works aims to be an environment where everybody, regardless of age or background feels welcome, encouraged and inspired to engineer -- that is, to imagine, design, build, create, explore, try, fail, try again, evaluate, make messes, think outside the box and discover new things.
from 7-2002
The environment at The Works should be:
Welcoming:
its a pleasure just to be there
Interesting, even before you touch a
single exhibit:
Wow, look at all this neat stuff...I
want to go try that one!
Friendly:
a people place, technology is a
human activity
Stimulating without being exhausting or
stressful (places to take a break)
Affirming:
makes you feel comfortable to try and capable when you do.
Inspiring:
Wow, I didn’t know that. Look how
engaged Willie is!
Safe, Clean: Where is my child?
Provokes and satisfies curiosity
Easy to find your way around, exhibit areas and layout understandable
Clearly, but not overwhelmingly
educational
Vibrant
but not Jarring Color
Bright
but not harsh light
Open
feeling connecting more focused/intimate spaces
-visitors want to be able to try new
exhibits without feeling that they are on display
-want to allow visitors to focus on a
specific exhibit without getting distracted
Space
for time-consuming exhibits
-Most exhibits at The Works are quick to
do (less than 2 minutes), but there are several exhibits (Kai’s power Goo, How
Things Work, Animation Station, Gear Play, Pulley Play, Marble Run, all the
Build exhibits and possibly the Bar Code Robots) that can engage visitors for 5 to 15 minutes
or more. These exhibits should be set a
bit apart from traffic to facilitate focus, but not be so isolated that it is
intimidating to approach them.
Balance
of exhibits:
large/small
use hands/use whole body
different colors
Quick and easy/takes more time, engrossing
Different textures to see and feel: shiny, opaque, fabric, stone, photos,
drawings
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