Scott Family Amazeum
Why Failure in Making?
We were drawn to this opportunity because conversations about failure have become a core part of our culture. As we engage in professional learning and set growth goals with our team, we intentionally discuss how failure is a natural and valuable part of growth. Our work culture embraces these moments as opportunities to reflect, learn, and improve.
This focus on failure also connects directly to our existing guiding principle of “trust and authenticity.” The FiM program has deepened how we explore and embody this principle, which is introduced to all team members during our “Great Start” onboarding orientation.
Finally, conversations about failure are ongoing—not just between managers and team members, but also among peers—creating a supportive environment where risk-taking and learning from mistakes are encouraged.
I feel like I’m better able to identify those failure moments and then afterwards reflect on them to grow so that I can better prepare myself if they arise in the future. (Year 1 Educator)
What is Failure
We defined failure as the act of noticing a moment of unreached potential that serves as a catalyst or deterrent for learning.
failure-based activity
We embedded the professional development process into several failure-based activities. One activity focused on needle felting, where learners transformed loose wool into 3D creations. A second activity invited learners to explore the basics of sewing machines as they created, tested, and refined a one-of-a-kind sewn piece. A third activity introduced plastic fusing, allowing learners to repurpose everyday plastic bags by experimenting with heat, pressure, and layering techniques to create durable material and design their own functional creation.
one failure moment or challenge
As a team, we struggled to work through our negative views of failure, especially as they pertained to ourselves. We overcame this by intentionally creating a culture where mistakes were seen as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. We shared personal experiences of failure, reflected on what we could learn from them, and encouraged open, supportive feedback. By reframing failure and celebrating small successes along the way, team members became more willing to take risks, experiment, and support each other. Over time, this shift not only improved collaboration but also strengthened our confidence in learning from challenges.
What did We learn?
First, we learned that teaching kids to get unstuck is akin to teaching kids to self-soothe; a life skill worth calling out and practicing. Second, we learned failing in front of others can be positive, silly, AND viewed with a critical eye. Third, while it’s cringy to watch a video of yourself, it is also a valuable way to see your practice with fresh perspective. Lastly, we recognized the value of having a tech guru to ensure good data collection that is the least disruptive possible.
one insight or practice We Continue
Our team continues to take close stock of failure moments both on the educator and learner side. We document moments, talk as a team, strategize, and iterate our practices. The team that has participated in the failure work seem to have broken through a barrier of sorts and are able to look critically at personal failure with a less judgemental, negative, and sensitive eye. It makes us better educators and more well-rounded humans.
About us
The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum in Northwest Arkansas that creates a fun environment where risk taking, imagining, problem solving, discovery, collaboration, and exploration bring children and adults together to learn and grow.
Through experiences with the Amazeum individuals and the community are engaged in building relationships and developing identities as creative, curious, and innovative shapers for the region. Learning at the Amazeum is an active, playful exploration that inspires curiosity. It is rooted in inquiry-based discovery and involves an element of risk. Hands-on learning opportunities allow guests to exercise critical thinking in the context of play.
The mission of the Amazeum is: “To engage the imagination of children and their families through interactive exhibits, programs, and resources while creating an excitement for lifelong learning and the enrichment of lives.”