
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!
Earlier 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

The Animated Artwork of Laura Va...
by Paul Orselli
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Published November 20 2008

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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Exhibit Design Inspiration: The Glue Society
November 29, 2008
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Museums and One Laptop Per Child
November 25, 2008
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Exhibit Design Resource: Think Anatomy
November 22, 2008
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Good Experience: Uncle Mark Gift Guide and Almanac
November 19, 2008
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Exhibit Design Inspiration: Interactive Mirror
November 18, 2008
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Exhibit Design Toolbox: Cast Bird Feet
November 15, 2008
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Exhibit Design Toolbox: More Tape!
November 11, 2008
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Before You Start A Museum, Read This.
November 07, 2008
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Museum Exhibit Design: The "New" Detroit Institute of Arts
November 04, 2008
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Exhibit Aphorisms Deck Contest Winners
November 02, 2008
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MagPie Time
October 31, 2008
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Green Design Resource: Earth911.com
October 29, 2008
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Why Can't Art Museums Have More Interactive Exhibits?
October 25, 2008
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Our First Contest!
October 22, 2008
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Exhibit Design Inspiration: Nikon Small World 2008
October 16, 2008
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ASTC 2008 Annual Conference
October 15, 2008



















