Karen Wilkinson / USA
As director of the Learning Studio, I see my role at the Exploratorium as an advocate for making as a way of knowing. I believe deeply in studio pedagogy, and the ability we all have to think with our hands. As an undergrad working in environmental design, I came to see museums as places that recognize this approach. I started my museum career as a volunteer at the Science Museum of Minnesota, soon met people from the Exploratorium and other institutions, and quickly realized how deeply a museum philosophy resonated with my own. Now, years later, after pursuing graduate studies in education and technology, I am even more committed to the idea that constructionism is an incredibly powerful way of learning, and that aesthetics matter a great deal. These two ideas are often overlooked in more formal education settings, outside of kindergarten or graduate school. Informal learning spaces for making and tinkering offer people a chance to connect to their own learning in a deeply personal way, which is why I’m thrilled to be able to work with such a delightfully quirky group of people in the Tinkering Studio. Together, we are working to develop experiences with art, science, and technology that are playful and inquisitive, and draw on the collaborative and participatory aspects that a museum environment can offer.
ORGANIZATION: Tinkering Studio, Exploratorium
SHORT BIO: Director
WEBSITE: http://tinkering.
SESSIONS: