The-forge | SMV

The Forge

Science, technology, engineering and math are at the heart of making things. The Museum’s new permanent makerspace, The Forge, harnesses the power of the maker movement, celebrates innovation and encourages guests to roll up their sleeves to create. Part showroom and part workshop, The Forge both celebrates and demonstrates the process of design and fabrication.

The WestRock Gallery in The Forge is a showroom. Featuring inventive product displays and interactive stations such as a 500 multi-colored programmable lighting piece, the WestRock Gallery introduces guests to tools and materials while inspiring them to work with their hands. A workshop nestled within The Forge comprised of the Sharp Design Studio, a workroom and a machine shop takes guests to the next level by giving them the chance to participate in hands-on workshops that emphasize tool utilization and skill development.

Sleek, clean, modern and bright, The Forge is sure to spark new ideas and instill the idea that anything is possible.

Activities in The Forge 

All Museum guests can enjoy the WestRock Gallery during Museum operating hours. The workshop portion of The Forge will have scheduled hours. Below is an upcoming schedule of activities in The Forge. 

Museum staff will host simple, open exploration-style engineering activities in the morning called Maker Challenges. No registration is required for Maker Challenges and guests can arrive anytime during the activity to participate. 

In the afternoon, Museum staff will host two skill-building Maker Workshops, which are longer, facilitated experiences with limited guests that result in a take-home item. Advance registration is required for Maker Workshops and can be done in person at the Guest Services desk the day of the workshop. Detailed descriptions of the Maker Workshops, including tools and skills used can be found here. 

Date 

Maker Challenge
10 am - noon 

Maker Workshops

1 - 1:45 pm & 2 - 2:45 pm

 Maker Workshop Age Recommendations
April 17 - 21 Bird Beak Design Weave a Potholder 8 - 88
April 22 - 25 Bird Beak Design Make a Toolbox 11 - 111
April 26 No Challenge Bird Beak Design (Maker Challenge; 2 - 4 pm)  
April 27 - 28 Bird Beak Design Make a Toolbox 11 -111
April 29 - 30 Bird Beak Design Weave a Potholder 8 - 88
May 1 - 5 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg Vector Design and Cutting 11 - 111
May 6 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg Etching/Printing 8 - 88
May 7 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg No Workshop - Special Programming  
May 8 - 9 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg Etching/Printing 8 - 88
May 10 No Challenge Marble Run/Rube Goldberg (Maker Challenge; 2 - 4 pm)  
May 11 - 12 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg Etching/Printing 8 -88
May 13 - 16 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg Vector Design and Cutting 11 - 111
May 17 No Challenge Marble Run/Rube Goldberg (Maker Challenge; 2 - 4 pm)  
May 18 - 19 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg Vector Design and Cutting 11 - 111
May 20 - 23 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg Etching/Printing 8 - 88
May 24 No Challenge Marble Run/Rube Goldberg (Maker Challenge; 2 - 4 pm)  
May 25 - 26 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg Etching/Printing 8 - 88
May 27 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg Marble Run/Rube Goldberg (Maker Challenge; 2 - 4 pm)  
May 28 - 31 Marble Run/Rube Goldberg Vector Design and Cutting 11 - 111

 

Daily Schedule

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