As we enjoy winter holidays celebrating light, gratitude, and renewal, I am reflecting on the power of just one small spark.
Scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California announced a major advance in nuclear fusion research this month – the first fusion reaction in a lab that actually produced more energy than it took to start it. This may seem obscure, but as the New York Times reports, “fusion is the nuclear reaction that powers the sun and makes the star shine – and this discovery could provide a nearly limitless and sustainable source of energy.”
This discovery could be the Edison light bulb moment of our time, ushering in a wave of innovation to help reduce climate change and reimagine how we power our world. It reminds us that innovation is at once methodical, tedious work and poetic transformation – and it all starts with one small spark.
At KID Museum, we work every day to help young people build the skills to invent a better future for us all. We believe kids need not only to learn to code or design a new gadget, but they need that spark of inspiration to push the boundaries of their imagination to create something truly transformative.
Earlier this month, KID Museum continued our tradition of honoring extraordinary innovators and changemakers who have channeled their creativity to make a positive impact on the world. We celebrate them for being that spark and lighting the path for the next generation of innovators.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to hear from this year’s inspirational honorees:
- Artist and monument maker: Yehimi Cambrón was honored as KID Museum’s 2022 Cultural Impact Maker. An Atlanta-based artist and DACA-recipient, she is known for her large-scale murals that depict the richness and diversity of the contemporary immigrant experience in America.
- Climate activists and food entrepreneurs: Seth Goldman and Julie Farkas were honored as KID Museum’s 2022 Sustainable Future Makers for their deep commitment to supporting innovations that address climate change and public health.
- Public health leader and health disparities disruptor: Dr. Karriem Watson was honored as KID Museum’s 2022 Community Health Maker for his steadfast focus on expanding access to healthcare and medical research for populations that have been excluded in the past.
Collectively, their work speaks to what KID Museum is all about. As Yehimi Cambrón shared eloquently in her remarks: “When we look up at the night sky, it is illuminated by stars that don’t even exist anymore. So although it is impossible to immediately see the impact of our actions, I know that when we are no longer around…there will be future generations that will find certainty and solidarity in the work we are doing together.”
All of us at KID are enormously grateful to our community of educators, collaborators, and kids, youth and families for the work we are doing together to pave the way for a brighter future.
