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. 

This summer's Pompeii-related programming in The Forge is sponsored by CapTech. 

Date 

Maker Challenge
10:30 am - noon 

Maker Workshops

1 - 1:45 pm & 2 - 2:45 pm

 Maker Workshop Age Recommendations
June 1 - 5 Design an Aqueduct Design a Sistrum 8 - 88
June 6 - 12 Design an Aqueduct Build a Ceramic Pot 8 - 88
June 13 - 19 Design an Aqueduct Design a Sistrum 8 - 88
June 20 - 24 Design an Aqueduct Build a Ceramic Pot 8 - 88
June 25 No challenge; reserved for Fairfield Boys & Girls Club Build a Ceramic Pot 8 - 88
June 26 No challenge; reserved for MSIC Governors School Build a Ceramic Pot 8 -88
June 27 No challenge; reserved for MSIC Governors School Design a Sistrum 8 - 88
June 28 Design an Aqueduct (11:30 am end time) Design a Sistrum 8 - 88
June 29 - 30 Design an Aqueduct Design a Sistrum 8 - 88

 

Date

Maker Challenge
10:30 am - noon 

 

Maker Workshops

1 - 1:45 pm & 2 - 2:45 pm 

Maker Workshop Age Recommendations
July 1 Bridge Building Make a Drop Spindle 8 - 88
July 2 No challenge; reserved for BGC Ignite program Make a Drop Spindle 8 - 88
July 3 Bridge Building Make a Drop Spindle 8 - 88
July 4 Bridge Building Bridge Building Challenge (2 - 4 pm)  
July 5 - 7 Bridge Building Make a Drop Spindle 8 - 88
July 8 - 9 Bridge Building Create a Cast of Roman Artifacts 8 - 88
July 10 No challenge; reserved for DARS Raspberry Pi program No workshop; reserved for DARS Raspberry Pi program  
July 11 - 14 Bridge Building Create a Cast of Roman Artifacts 8 - 88
July 15 - 17 Moon Rover Claw Challenge Make a Drop Spindle 8 - 88
July 18 Moon Rover Claw Challenge Make a Drop Spindle (1 pm only; space reserved at 2 pm) 8 - 88
July 19 Moon Rover Claw Challenge Make a Drop Spindle 8 - 88
July 20 - 21 Bridge Building Make a Drop Spindle 8 - 88
July 22 No challenge; reserved for Pathways for Science  program No workshop; reserved for Pathways for Science  program  
July 23 - 25 Bridge Building Create a Cast of Roman Artifacts 8 - 88
July 26 - 28 Bridge Building Create a Cast of Roman Artifacts (3 - 3:45 pm & 4 - 4:45 pm) 8 - 88
July 29 - 31 Bridge Building Make a Drop Spindle (3 - 3:45 pm & 4 - 4:45 pm) 8 - 88

 

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