
Paul Orselli
What I do, where I work
I’m an instigator, in the best sense of that word.
I like to mix up interesting people, ideas,
and materials to make exhibits.I run my own company called POW!
(Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) on Long Island.
Current position
President, and Chief Instigator at POW!
Other positions
Director of Exhibits at Long Island Children's Museum
Director of Exhibits at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Director of Exhibits at The Discovery Museums (Acton, MA)
Website(s)
More about me
Paul Orselli’s interest in sharing ideas with people and creating interactive devices began when he was a child growing up in Detroit. While earning his B.S. in Anthropology and Zoology from the University of Michigan and his M.A. in Science Education from Wayne State University, Paul realized he could have a job making “cool stuff” by working in the museum business.
For more than 25 years, Paul has worked to create inventive science museums and playful children’s museums. In 2001, Paul became President and Chief Instigator of POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop.) POW! was created to utilize Paul’s talents and collaborative resources to help museums and other cultural institutions develop innovative exhibit components, exhibitions, and educational programs.
Paul has consulted on museum projects throughout North America, Europe, and the Middle East. His clients include such notable organizations as the New York Hall of Science, the Exploratorium, the National Science Foundation, and Science Projects in London.
Paul has also been the editor and originator of the three best-selling Cheapbooks, published by ASTC. In addition to serving on the board of NAME (National Association for Museum Exhibition) Orselli has also been an advisor to many national museum initiatives, including ExhibitFiles.
Paul lives on Long Island with his wife and “in-house exhibit testing crew” of four children.
Recent publications & presentations
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"Guest Editor." The RFP Issue of The Exhibitionist
Spring 2007
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"Million Dollar Pencils and Duct Tape: Some Thoughts on Prototyping." The Exhibitionist, Vol. 25, No. 1
Spring 2006
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"Editor." The ASTC Exhibit Cheapbooks, Vols. 1, 2, 3
Case Studies

Preschool Launch Pad
by Paul Orselli
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Published May 07 2007

Parabolic Spinners
by Paul Orselli
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Published May 01 2007
Reviews

Wildlife Challenge
by Paul Orselli
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Published July 19 2008

The Tech Virtual Test Zone: Art,...
by Paul Orselli
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Published June 15 2008
Design for the Other 90%
by Paul Orselli
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Published August 10 2007
Skyscraper! Achievement and Impa...
by Paul Orselli
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Published July 20 2007

Gold
by Paul Orselli
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Published July 15 2007

Mythic Creatures
by Paul Orselli
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Published July 08 2007

Toasters
by Paul Orselli
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Published April 13 2007
Photos and Blog Posts
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Best Of ExhibiTricks: Museum Sustainability
August 07, 2008
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Best Of ExhibiTricks: Nuts and Bolts
August 05, 2008
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Best Of ExhibiTricks: The Interviews
August 01, 2008
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What Happened to the "Science" in Science Museums?
July 29, 2008
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Exhibit Design Inspiration: Toys From Trash
July 26, 2008
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Exhibit Design Resource: FindSounds
July 21, 2008
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Planning for People in Museum Exhibitions: An Interview With Kathy McLean
July 17, 2008
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Museum Resource: The Periodic Table of Videos
July 14, 2008
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Exhibit Maker's Toolbox: Black & Decker 36" Gecko Grip Level
July 13, 2008
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An Architecture Of Participation: An interview With Nina Simon
July 09, 2008
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More Exhibit Design Inspiration: Festo AirJelly
July 07, 2008
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Exhibit Inspiration: Golden Ray Migration Photos
July 03, 2008
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Another Cautionary Tale For Museums: What Happened To The Millennium Dome?
July 01, 2008
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Exhibit Design Inspiration: Olafur Eliasson
June 27, 2008
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What Can Museums Learn From Disney? Mickey's 10 Commandments
June 23, 2008
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Clean Is Good
June 19, 2008



















