Learning through Design and Construction
Experiment. Construct. Play. Repeat.
Get creative with Eli Whitney Museum’s rainbow bridge and shadow puppet construction kits.
Register below to get yours. Kits are free but limited. These kits are limited to those able to physically pick up in New Haven. For those not in New Haven, send the gift of creativity to others this Lunar New Year and sponsor kits for New Haven students. For 20 USD, you can sponsor 3 kits that will go directly to New Haven students. Sponsor here.
Enjoy this screen-free activity and make your creations come alive with stories, light, and other objects around your house. Both kits are accompanied by educational guides created by Yale-China. Learn more about how Eli Whitney Museum designed these kits below.
After filling out the form below, please come to Yale-China (442 Temple Street New Haven, CT 06511) in the time window you selected. Ring the doorbell, and you will be given your kits through the mail slot to minimize contact. If there are people on the porch when you arrive, please allow them to exit the porch before approaching to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
Special thanks to sponsorship from the Jane and William Curran Foundation, the International Association of New Haven, and the Lawhorn Family.
Share and co-discover.
Share a photo or video of your creative use of these kits with arts@yalechina.org!
Learn more about the rainbow bridge from Valerie Hansen here and the history of shadow puppetry through this timeline.
In this video, designer Ryan Paxton (workshop director, Eli Whitney Museum & Workshop) shares more about the process and inspirations for these kits.
“...the best learning takes place when the learner takes charge.”
Gift Creativity and Innovation to New Haven Students
Donate during February 2021 to sponsor kits for New Haven students. Every 20 USD donated sponsors three kits that go directly to New Haven students. Every sponsor will also receive a kit that can be picked up in March for local residents and mailed for those residing outside of the New Haven area. There is also the option to sponsor 4 kits instead of receiving your own kit.
Gif by designed by artist Natalie Wong