The Idea Hub is open daily—10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on weekdays, in addition to our regular weekend hours of 12 - 4 p.m. (through August 10, except on June 29).
Additionally, drop-in activities will be held every Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 1 - 3 p.m. (through August 10, except on June 29).
View weekend Idea Hub schedule
Explore topics in design and engineering with artistic circuits, 3D printing, chain reactions, and a variety of other hands-on making and tinkering topics. Drop in each week and try out one of our many activities, including:
3D Printing and Design
Learn how to design in three dimensions using Tinkercad and explore how 3D printers can turn digital models into reality.
App Inventor
Explore MIT’s App Inventor program and develop your own app for a smartphone or tablet.
Chain Reaction
Discover the potential of engineering improvisation as we tinker and create chain reaction contraptions.
Data Sculptures
Build unique physical representations as you explore interesting ways to visualize and tell stories with data.
Kinetic Sculptures
Create a unique moving art piece engineered to move with gears, cams, linkages, and pulleys.
Paper Circuits
Use copper tape and LEDs to create your own artistic light-up cards, paper models, and more.
Programming with Scratch
Design your own simple video game or animation using the block-based programming language Scratch.
Visualizing the Brain
Compare imaging through light microscopes with the power of expansion microscopy. Create your own drawing of a brain cell and be a citizen scientist to help neuroscientists map the human brain.
Sewn Circuits
Construct a working and wearable circuit using LEDs, batteries, and conductive thread.
Upcoming sessions:
Jun 9 - Visualizing the Brain
Jun 10 - Scratch
Jun 16 - Kinetic Sculptures
Jun 17 - Kinetic Sculptures
Jun 23 - Chain Reaction
Jun 24 - Chain Reaction
Jun 30 - Visualizing the Brain
Jul 1 - App Inventor/Scratch
Jul 7 - Visualizing the Brain
Jul 21 - Visualizing the Brain
Aug 11 - Visualizing the Brain
Aug 25 - Visualizing the Brain
Free with museum admission and appropriate for ages 12+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Activities are determined based on staff availability and are subject to change.
