Paul Orselli

• More about me

• My interest in sharing ideas with people and creating interactive devices began when I was a child growing up in Detroit. While earning my B.S. in Anthropology and Zoology from the University of Michigan and his M.A. in Science Education from Wayne State University, I realized I could have a job making “cool stuff” by working in the museum business.

  For nearly 30 years, I’ve worked to create inventive science museums and playful children’s museums. In 2002, I became President and Chief Instigator of POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop.) POW! was created to utilize my talents and collaborative resources to help museums and other cultural institutions develop innovative exhibit components, exhibitions, and educational programs.

  I have consulted on museum projects throughout North America, Europe, and the Middle East. My clients include such notable organizations as the New York Hall of Science, the Exploratorium, the National Science Foundation, and Science Projects in London.

  I have 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.) I have also been an advisor to many national museum initiatives, including ExhibitFiles.

  My home is on Long Island with my wife and “in-house exhibit testing crew” of four children.

Recent publications & presentations

• "Guest Editor."   The RFP Issue of The Exhibitionist

  Spring 2007

• "Million Dollar Pencils and Duct Tape: Some Thoughts on Prototyping."   The Exhibitionist, Vol. 25, No. 1

  Spring 2006

• "Editor."   The ASTC Exhibit Cheapbooks, Vols. 1, 2, 3

   

• "Nuts and Bolts: Green Design."   The Exhibitionist, Vol. 28, No.1

  Spring 2009

• "Check Your Tech!."   The Informal Learning Review, No. 94

  January 2009

• "Exhibit Tech: New-Tech, High-Tech, and Low-Tech for Museums."   NEMA News, Volume 32, Number 2

  Winter 2009