Exhibit Design Resource: KidWind

I'm just returning from a busy week creating energy exhibit prototypes with students in the Little Haiti section of Miami for a project with the Miami Science Museum.

I'll post a more detailed report about our Energy Prototypapalooza later this week, but for right now I'd like to give a shout-out to the people who provide the energy education products from KidWind.

The folks at KidWind have all sorts of simple, modifiable materials available --- for the week in Miami we made use of their kits and "loose parts" materials for both Wind and Solar energy.  (The materials were flexible enough that one of the student groups even repurposed wind turbine materials to use for a hydroelectric energy prototype!)

Combining the specialized KidWind energy parts with more typical hardware and office supply store materials for prototyping worked out really well for us.

So if you're looking for some materials to create renewable energy projects or if you just need an excuse to do a little tinkering with solar panels, wind turbines, or generators click over to the KidWind website right now!

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Green Design Resource: Earth911.com

One aspect of the emphasis on "green design" that is often overlooked is how to properly recycle scrap or waste exhibit materials that cannot be reused.

For example, many museums are switching to more energy-efficient lighting like Compact Fluorscent Lights (CFLs). However, even CFLs burn out eventually, and each bulb contains a small amount of mercury, so CFLs shouldn't just be pitched into the dumpster.

Similarly, even the empty cans from low VOC (Volatile Organic Componds) finishes need to be properly recycled.

The problem is that it's not easy to know where to properly recycle every type of product or container.

That's where a site like Earth911.com comes in! Besides being packed with lots of great tips about living and working greener, there is a handy form at the top of the homepage that lets you enter the type of stuff you'd like to recycle and your location to find the nearest recycling facility that accepts your particular leftover materials or scrap.

(By the way, most Home Depot locations now accept used CFLs for recycling, even if you didn't buy them there originally.)

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Green Toys from Toys "R" Us: Good Green Fun?

As if you need further evidence that eco-friendly marketing and green products are on the rise, Toys"R"Us announced in a press release the launch of an exclusive line of environmentally friendly toys that will be marketed under the Toys"R"Us brand. Exerpts from the release are quoted below:

"The first toys in the collection -- Natural Wooden Toys, Natural Cotton plush animals and Organic Cotton Dolls -- will be available exclusively at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide and online at www.Toysrus.com by Earth Day, April 22.

The toy products promote "Good Green Fun." The toys come packaged in earth-tone colored boxes that bear a special "R" seal. This seal consists of a green version of the iconic Toys"R"Us reversed "R" logo with a green leaf, encircled by the words "Recycle, Renew, Reuse, Re-think," and signifies for parents that the toys are eco-friendly.

"We know that kids are becoming more environmentally conscious and are curious about how they can do their part to help protect the planet," said Karen Dodge, Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys"R"Us, U.S. "Going green is more than just a trend. It's becoming a lifestyle. This is just our first step in offering our customers the best selection of eco-friendly and organic products in all of our Toys"R"Us stores nationwide."

Crafted from natural materials, these items come in packaging that is made from no less than 70% recycled material. The Natural Wooden Toys are decorated using a unique wood-burning technique, which offers a classic look. The Natural Cotton plush animals and Organic Cotton Dolls are colored using natural or water-based dyes and are made with unprocessed, unbleached and untreated cotton.

In addition, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified that the materials used to make the Natural Wooden Toys were sourced from well-managed forests, using a system of ten rules that define responsible forest management. Each wooden product in the collection is marked with an identifiable FSC logo.

The Natural Wooden Toys include a fire engine, utility crane, shape sorter, trailer truck, racing car, formula car, alphabet blocks wagon and stacking train."


What does all this mean for museums and exhibit developers? Well, if you have an early childhood gallery, you better stash the primary-colored plastic toys from Playskool!

On a more serious note, as mainstream companies like Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart develop, market, and sell green products, both Museum Exhibit Clients and Museum Customers will expect to see exhibition galleries and design features that show green sensibilities.

Is some of this "greenwashing"? Perhaps, but if Toys "R" Us can Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink, can't Museums and Museum Designers as well?

Green Exhibit Tech: The EnerJar

I've been doing some work with several clients recently to produce exhibitions with a "green" theme. In the course of some of my research one of the interesting green gizmos I've come across is the EnerJar.

Basically the EnerJar is a device that accurately measures the power draw of electrical appliances.

(There are instructions on the EnerJar website on how to build your own DIY power meter.)

EnerJars would make a great project for museums to have their visitors build to take home, as well. It's a little scary to see how much energy all the "stuff" in a typical home uses!

The EnerJar was the Grand Prize Winner in the 2008 Greener Gadgets Design Competition. Check out their website for a great collection of inspiring green technology ideas.

What are some of your favorite green resources? Let us know in the comments section!