Another Case for the Exhibit Doctor: 3D Printers

When even my 8 year old daughter asks during Maker Faire, "When are we getting a 3D Printer, Dad?" you know something's up.

Museums and museum workers know this, too.  3D printers are cool, like "science fiction" cool, like "change the world" cool.  So naturally, museum folks want to share this shiny new technology with our visitors.

The question is: HOW?

(I've spoken with several museum folks recently who purchased 3D printing gear and still have the goodies sitting in a box in a storage closet because they can't sort out how to use them inside the museum, not just behind the scenes ...)

There is no denying that the end result of creating a digital file (either by laser scanning or through software programs) and producing an actual usable object with a 3D printer is super.  But the actual process of waiting for a 3D printer to produce that object is like watching paint (or plastic filament) dry. 

Which is perhaps fine for a museum program, or a multi-session museum class, but are their ways to leverage the inherent "coolness" and flexibility of 3D printers in the rapid-response, "show me something now!" context of many interactive exhibition galleries?

So in this edition of The Exhibit Doctor, I'm asking for examples of successful exhibit-centered ways of using 3D printers.

Please share your successes, failures, and bright ideas in the "Comments" section below this post and I'll round them up to share in a follow-up posting.


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What Can Museums Learn From Maker Faire?

The first "World Maker Faire" just wrapped up a successful run at the New York Hall of Science this past weekend.  I attended with my family and we all had a great time.

Here are a few things that I think all types of museums could learn from the Maker Faire experience:


• "Risks" are good
Museums are typically risk-averse.  They often tend to view every exhibit or program idea through the lens of a liability lawyer.  Visitors, however, often like to participate in, or just watch activities, that are perceived as "risky" (even if they're not really that dangerous.) 

I'd say take a page from Makers Faire and try "riskier" exhibits or programs --- even if you need people to sign a waiver first.
  

• "Outsiders" bring interesting ideas and approaches
Not all good ideas or approaches always have to originate from within your institution.  One thing that was great about Makers Faire was the diversity of presentations from a wide range of creative folks.  Not everything struck my fancy, but the sheer range of approaches was compelling.

How can you find ways to work with local makers in your community?

• Making is not just for the "cool kids"
There were rumblings during (and after) the World Makers Faire about the presence of corporate sponsors like Ford or HP (which is a little ironic considering their maker-centric histories) taking away from the "indy" spirit of the event.

That seems like hogwash to me for two reasons:

1) The admission ticket prices were high enough, and I'm sure the presence of large sponsors helped keep prices down

2) Makers came in all shapes, sizes, and colors.  It certainly was entertaining to see some of the more "unusual" folks at the event, but you don't have to be a tattooed hipster from Brooklyn to be making cool things.

Hopefully museums can find ways to cast a wide net around the growing Maker and DIY zeitgeist by thinking about ways to include kids and families (and even hipsters!) in solving problems or just creating fun stuff with materials.

Of course, some of the presenters at World Maker Faire could have learned some things from museums too, like:

• Presentation Matters
Not everything has to be put together with duct tape or look like it was welded by Godzilla.  Sometimes rough materials can detract from your broader messages.

• Logistics Matter

Museums know that when you bring an activity to a crowded festival you need to have enough staff, and more importantly, enough work stations and materials to handle the crowds.

Have you attended a Maker Faire?  Let us know how makers and museums could work even better together in the "Comments" section below.

UPDATE:  In conjunction with the inaugural World Maker Faire, held in September 2010, NYSCI convened a two-day workshop with more than 80 leaders in education, science, technology and the arts to consider how the Maker movement can stimulate innovation in formal and informal education.

You can download the complete report here.


Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Free Updates" link on the right side of the blog. P.S. If you receive ExhibiTricks via email (or Facebook or LinkedIn) you will need to click HERE to go to the main ExhibiTricks page to make comments or view multimedia features (like videos!)

MAKE

As one of their charter subscribers, I've always admired the DIY ethic of Make Magazine and their burgeoning empire. Each issue of MAKE is filled with enough cool project ideas, hacks, and tips to keep even a dedicated gizmologist busy for several months! You have to love a magazine that details how to make a kite-based aerial photography rig from popsicle sticks and a disposable camera, s one simple example.

The MAKErs have also spawned a sister magazine called Craft, a great blog site, and best of all, an annual event called the Maker's Faire (sort of a Woodstock for makers and tinkerers.) The first Maker's Faire happened in the San Francisco Bay Area last year. This year besides the SF MF, MAKE added an additional event in Austin.

If you don't already know about MAKE, check them out! (A subscription or one of their project kits makes a great gift.)