Museum Programs

Torches, Saws and Marshmallows

One of the great joys of designing public programs at the Children’s Museum is our commitment to keeping things fresh and surprising, and educating through interactive experiences. We have a great time relying on unique activities to immerse visitors in a topic. One example is our green programs. Most days you’ll find children and adults reusing materials in creative ways, like taking apart household appliances to learn about electrical circuits, upcycling used clothing into crazy costumes or building whimsical sculptures with egg cartons, coffee filters and buttons. But two of my all-time favorites are the Solar Concert Series and The DeCARstruction.

The Solar Concert Series is Pittsburgh’s first green concert series presented on a solar-powered sound system. Now in its second year, it presents 13 free, outdoor performances by local musicians throughout the summer. At an activity table nearby, visitors can make pinwheels one day as we discuss wind power or smash sunflower seeds to discover an alternative fuel. Part of the fun and sustainability of the series is working with our presenting partners The Saturday Light Brigade and New Hazlett Theater, and our presenting sponsor PPG.

The DeCARstruction was a wild project that started with a donated 1983 Jeep. After brainstorming what to do with it, we called in artist Keny Marshall and his team. They disassembled the Jeep piece by piece with torches and saws, over nine epic hours on a gorgeous November afternoon as visitors toasted marshmallows and danced to a car-themed soundtrack. Happy Harry the Saturday Mechanic came around to talk about car parts. Then all the pieces disappeared, and the reCARstruction began. Keny unveiled a nine-foot tall outdoor sculpture that he built from parts of the old Jeep this past October, and the piece has a prominent place in our parking lot today.

Blogger: Angela Seals, Program Manager