Members of the Saint Louis Science Center’s Einstein Society and Corporate Partners gathered in the Makerspace gallery for a taste of why making matters at Mix, Make, Mingle, an evening celebrating the joy of learning by doing, which empowers everyone to think, learn, experiment, collaborate, and problem solve.
The event allowed these leader-level attendees to see up close the kinds of experiences that their support makes possible, spend time engaging in a number of hands-on activities with Science Center educators, and even get a special sneak peek at upcoming interactives custom built by the museum. From tinkering with Rigamajig components and building with LEGO blocks to applying the “maker mindset” as part of a build-your-own pasta bar, guests experienced the fun that goes into dreaming up a design and seeing it materialize before them.
Inside the Makerspace Classroom, attendees could speak with Makerspace gallery manager Sarah Brown and participate in more hands-on engineering activities; and inside the Makerspace Garage, attendees got an up-close look at 3D printing with Science Center educator Matt Gandolfo. Guests also made their own keepsakes of the night in the Science Center’s photo booth.
A KEVA Block Challenge tested guests on their engineering skills, while a “community build” art piece invited attendees to answer the question, “What would you like to see in the future of the Saint Louis Science Center?”
And looking ahead, guests had the opportunity to test out a prototype gallery interactive built by the Science Center’s Exhibit Production team: the Magnetic Pendulum, which explores the effects of magnetism using pendulum rods with like and opposite polarity magnets that can be placed to affect the pendulums’ movement.
The evening also offered these vital supporters the chance to mingle with one another as well as Science Center President and CEO Ray Vandiver.
“As one of the few free-to-enter science centers in the country, the Saint Louis Science Center relies on Einstein Society and Corporate Partner members to ensure that everyone has the chance to explore, question, and discover with us,” says Chief Institutional Advancement Officer Bobby Sanderson. “So much of this happens in the Makerspace, and it was a pleasure to showcase it with such a dedicated community of leaders.”
Thank you to everyone who attended, and thank you to each of our Einstein Society members and Corporate Partners for making our mission to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science possible!
