DESTINATION 90 94 80
80 90 469
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INDIANAPOLIS 70
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Step Into the Story AT CONNER PRAIRIE story by GLENDA WINDERS
A guest enjoys some airtime during the Jupiter Flights balloon festival. PHOTO: Courtesy Conner Prairie
Even if you’ve been to Conner Prairie more times than you can count, this year there are lots of reasons to go back. In addition to the historic places and costumed interpreters, the four-story tree house and the animal encounters, now come exciting features that will make a visit here fresh and new all over again. 50
traveliN travel iN Summer 2022
Spark!Lab, opening in August, was developed by the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, and celebrates the process of innovation. With the feel of an inventor’s workshop, it will give visitors an opportunity to learn by creating. “We feel that when people get the opportunity to have different materials and opportunities to solve real-world problems through invention, the possibilities are endless,” said Katie Warthan, Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy. “We’ll provide the ideas and the
materials and then let them go from there.” Smithsonian Spark!Lab staff prototype activities, and Network museums create their own challenges to highlight invention in their community and history. Some of the challenges include designing a soundscape, creating a way to clean plastic out of waterways, and inventing a vehicle. The prompts will change often so that no two visits will be alike. The museum will also be spotlighting some young inventors as well as showcasing some of the inventions in their collection.
