The Springfield Museums present Spark Your Imagination, with special, facilitated, and independent programming April 15-19, free with museum admission. Inspired by the Springfield Science Museum’s invention space Spark!Lab, the activities will explore the process of invention and themes of creativity and perseverance.

“Playful learning is a wonderful pathway to ah-ha moments and memories that fuel creative thought.” said Abby Garner, Family Engagement Coordinator for the Springfield Museums.

In addition to daily activities, listed below, the Museums will host special guests throughout the week.

SCHOOL VACATION WEEK SPECIAL GUESTS

Monday, April 15, 1:30 pm:  Fourth Wall Ensemble– Watch music come to life in this entertaining show! The Fourth Wall Ensemble will delight you with a new hybrid of the performing arts in which musicians are also actors and dancers.

Tuesday, April 16 and Wednesday, April 17, 10 am-3 pm: U.S. Fish & Wildlife – Learn about the natural world with the Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge.

Friday, April 19, 11 am-3 pm: The Lemelson Center – Activities with staff from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Friday, April 19, 1:30 pm: The Amazing Nano Brothers– Explore nanoscience and technology through this exciting and engaging juggling performance.

DAILY ACTIVITIES

Spark!Lab, 10:30 am-4 pm
A dynamic learning space where children, families, and groups create, innovate, collaborate, problem-solve, and invent. This week, visitors can build a vehicle prototype among other invention activities.

Invention Challenge, 11 am-3 pm
Spin the wheel and put your STEM skills to the test.

Pattern Mimincry, 11 am-3 pm
Create designs, tweak twisting paths, and practice pattern making.

Trashin’ Fashion, 11 am-3 pm
Make a fashion statement using recycled materials!

Marble Maze, 12-4 pm
Assemble a boredom buster with just a few simple materials.

Spark!Lab is the flagship educational initiative of the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation.

The season supporter of the Springfield Museums is MassMutual.