This winter, we did a Saturday workshop called "Squeezable Circuits". The kids (ten of them, 9-12 years old) made their own squeeze-triggered circuits, and then used motors, lights, buzzers, and a variety of recycled and craft materials to create creatures that came alive when you squeezed a glove. This project was inspired by California artist Bernie Lubell and work he did with Mike and Karen at the Exploratorium. The workshop lasted three hours.

Next week is our first Atelier, when museum and out-of-school educators from around the country will come to Minnesota to play with Crickets, and to think about how to get other people to play with Crickets. There's more info in Upcoming Events...

It seems that whenever I tell people about what I do at the Science Museum, they tell me I need to get to know Asia Ward's artwork. She makes slightly-creepy, quietly-endearing, interactive creature sculptures like this one: Asia Ward, Lips. Contains a small motor, speaker, toy microchip, motion detector and rotating arm. The creatures are toy Frankensteins, constructed inside and out from pieces cobbled from old stuffed animals and electronic and mechanical toys. The sculptures are interactive.