The New York Hall of Science is located in the most diverse neighborhood in the nation, offering a case study on the role of making and broad public access.

Members of the NYSCI education division sat down with us to think about their transition to maker-style activities in support of STEM learning. The museum’s Makerspace facility works in a wide range of materials and media, from cardboard and glue guns to audio recording and video editing software.

In 2010, NYSCI hosted the first World Maker Faire on the grounds of the museum in Queens, followed by a conference titled “Innovation, Education and the Maker Movement,” which considered the role of making in a national policy agenda. They hosted a second conference in 2012, “Design-Make-Play: Growing the Next Generation of Science Innovators,” that continues to cast a vision for the role leaders might play in local schools, community centers, universities, and the tech industry.

Eric’s Bio

Eric is the Director and Chief Content Officer at the New York Hall of Science where he has led exhibit design for the last 15 years, most recently introducing maker-style exhibits and workshops.

In 2010, he and the NYSCI staff worked with Dale Dougherty to bring the World Maker Faire to the Corona Park community in Queens.

Allan Chochinov

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