Thinkery Connect HQ
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. Built in early 2021 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.
Thinkery Connect HQ is more than a traditional exhibition or research space – it is the nexus point for research and practice that supports caregivers, educators, and museum staff as learning partners and facilitators.
The primary goal of Thinkery Connect is to make research findings come to life in the museum. Exhibits are designed to support STEAM education and play-based learning. Throughout the museum, visitors may discover the Thinkery Connect logo at an exhibit, which indicates that the exhibit has been studied by researchers working to integrate research-based design into Thinkery’s educational fabric.
The Research Hub
The Research Hub is a research laboratory where visitors can participate in studies related to children’s learning and development. We study how to design exhibits in order to increase engagement, inquiry, exploration, and learning about science. Active research projects include studies of visitor experience and studies of children’s learning. A central feature of this space is the opportunity for visitors to participate in active research.
To learn more about Professor Legare’s research, visit cristinelegare.com.
To get involved with the knowledge creation process, please email legarelab@gmail.com to register or visit the hub** between:
- Sunday: 10am -1pm and 2pm -5pm
- Tuesday: 12pm -3pm
- Wednesday: 4pm -7pm
- Friday: 12pm -3pm
- Saturday: 3pm -6pm
**Due to COVID-19 and restrictions placed on research activity by the University of Texas at Austin, and out of an abundance of caution for Thinkery staff, we are not actively running any research studies at this time.
Exhibit Prototyping Zone
The Exhibit Prototyping Zone is located at the entrance of the Research Hub. Here, researchers and museum staff prototype exhibits. Visitors may interact with these exhibits when they visit and provide feedback about their experience. Data about visitor experience is used to evaluate and modify exhibits before they are moved onto the museum floor for general use.
Community Resource Nook
The Community Resource Nook is a resource corner for caregivers and educators featuring a monitor, an iPad stand, and curated materials to assist parents and caregivers with accessing local resources related to family support and early childhood development. The Community Resource Nook was designed with the intention of serving as an “entry point” for the vast number of organizations that support child learning and development in the Austin area and promote lifelong learning among all of our visitors.
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