Thinkery Connect HQ is now open!
Thinkery Connect Headquarters (HQ) is our in-gallery home for museum research and community resources. Thinkery Connect HQ is focused on increasing public understanding of how children learn and uses research-based practices that enhance learning about science. Created with the support of an Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America grant, Thinkery Connect HQ includes a: 1) Research Hub, 2) Exhibit Prototyping Zone, and 3) Community Resource Nook. LEARN MORE
What is Thinkery Connect?
Thinkery Connect is a museum-university-community research partnership between Thinkery and The Center for Applied Cognitive Science at The University of Texas at Austin Department of Psychology. The objective of this partnership is to translate best practices from learning sciences into museum operations.
Our educational philosophy is grounded in play-based, inquiry-rich learning experiences. We design exhibits and curated educational resources that encourage visitors to develop STEAM “Habits of Mind” such as critical thinking, systematic exploration, resolute behavior hypothesis-testing, experimentation, and trouble-shooting. These process skills are critical to early STEAM learning as well as to school readiness more generally. CONTINUE READING
Meet The Team
Learn more about the educators, researchers and museum professionals behind Thinkery Connect. MORE
Our Research
We are interested in how children’s scientific reasoning develops—and how this might link to later science understanding.
Two components of children’s natural curiosity are exploration and explanation–their tendencies to explore causal connections through play and to explain unexpected outcomes.
Our research has demonstrated that unexpected or anomalous events are powerful triggers for explanatory reasoning. Children try to explain unexpected outcomes and explore causal connections through play.
We are examining how children’s explanations and exploratory play behavior work in tandem to guide their causal learning and scientific reasoning, and the implications of this process for improving science education in schools and children’s museums. CONTINUE READING
To get involved with the knowledge creation process, please email legarelab@gmail.com to register or visit the Research Hub at Thinkery.
Little Thinkers Preschool
Little Thinkers Preschool is a research-focused, play-based, lab preschool, serving children ages 3 and 4. Curricula and assessment are designed in collaboration with Thinkery Connect. Learn more
More from Thinkery Connect Co-Director Professor Cristine Legare
Professor Legare’s research examines how children learn, create, and transmit knowledge. Visit her webpage for more about how children learn and best practices for improving early science education.
Contact us
Do you have questions about Thinkery Connect? We are happy to share more information on our research, community resources, and current projects. Please email info@thinkeryaustin.org and let us know how we can help!
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
IMLS Grant Number MA-10-19-0438-19.
The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations on this website do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.