Fall 2011
The MakeShop is a hands-on learning environment at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh where children get the chance to design and develop their own projects by integrating old and new technologies. MakeShop mediums range from woodworking and soft circuitry to animation and electronics; a team of facilitators and visiting artists make the space a laboratory for exploration, creativity and curiosity. The MakeShop Project at the Entertainment Technology Center is interested in promoting self reflection once children finish their projects at the MakeShop. Over the course of a semester, the team will design and prototype an area where families can reflect on what has been created, giving both a chance to see it from each others' point of view. Through a series of prompts, the children will record their methods and favorite aspects of their project development in their own words. They will then be able to showcase their project on a touchscreen at the front of the MakeShop exhibit to display their success and encourage them to keep creating!