The Spark Behind Paul Allen's 'Experience'

DA: For example, we were teaching about scale in Startup. The ENIAC computer weighed something like 30 tons. It was huge. It literally took an army to run -- so we wanted to convey that feeling. We made that particular display almost overwhelming, tall and inaccessible as it was for the average person.

By the end of the exhibit, we're onto handhelds, things within reach in a gallery of infinite mirrors, where your image is projected and captive in an iPod, a laptop -- everywhere -- with what we hope is an invitation.

AW: [As visionary computer scientist Alan Kay said], "The best way to predict the future is invent it." You can with imagination and technology -- as Paul Allen and Bill Gates did.

That's quite empowering.

DA: Yes, that's part of our aim. Making knowledge accessible and reinforcing that you can make a difference.

Is there data supporting this all-sensory/participatory and collaborative way of learning as effective?

AW: Yes, including Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences work that considers a person's visual, auditory, kinesthetic senses and that there are multiple learning systems and styles. And that people respond differently. In each exhibit, Weatherhead tries to hit as many of those as possible since people respond differently: They all bring their own personal experiences to the exhibit.

Can you give an idea what this costs?

AW: Let's just say, as the press release does, that the Startup project in total was a $5 million gift to the people of New Mexico.

Tell me about Weatherhead's own start-up.

DA: We were working under Paul's umbrella, for Experience Music Project ... when we decided that maybe we could launch our own company and do this for all sorts of cultural institutions.

We financed it ourselves and just kept it small with low overhead and room to grow.

AW: Our core right now is eight people, which often expands to more than 25 on larger projects. We expect to grow by half this year.

Your sense of humor comes through in the work you've created. What's been the most fun for you?

AW: Our latest project is always my favorite. I loved it when the kids, during a focus group, thanked us for not making the computer museum a boring room with beige boxes -- for making it interactive and fun.

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