metalworking at museumlab
programs, shows and activities that develop and showcase youth metalworking skills and art
The FUSION program at MuseumLab was created in 2021 with the generous support of Arconic Foundation to offer hands-on learning experiences in metalworking to youth and families in a new metalworking shop. Experiences include field trips, workshops and summer camps and scholarships, as well as an annual showcase of metal artwork created by students.
fall fusion festival
Sunday, November 23
Join us for a celebration of metalworking at MuseumLab with special activities such as aluminum casting, electro etching and mini license plate making. And see the 2025 Youth Metal Arts Showcase II with art work created by K-12 youth.
Admission to MuseumLab is free, Noon – 5:00 pm. Does not include admission to Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.
youth metal arts show 2025 II
November 23 - December 31, 2025
Don’t miss the second showcase of youth metal-based art in MuseumLab this year!
See amazing artwork created by artists in grades K-12 that use metal as a material or in the process of creating the art. On display from November 23 through December 31.
fusion field trips
Metalworking field trips designed for students in grades 5 are offered this fall in MuseumLab.
Tuesday – ThursdaySeptember 16 – December 17
Options include:
- recycled can sculpture
- electro-etching
- pewter casting
Scholarships for Title 1 schools are available.
Metalworking field trips are provided at no cost for Title 1 Schools through the generous support of Arconic Foundation.
video resources
We created these videos featuring materials and tools that are easy to access and simple to set up after facilitating metalworking activities with thousands of kids in MuseumLab’s Metal Studio.
If you’ve always wanted to try using metal in your classroom or makerspace, these activities are a great place to start.
Let’s Try Embossing
A step-by-step tutorial on how to emboss or press words or designs onto soft metal such aluminum foil.
Let’s Try Pewter Casting
A step-by-step tutorial on how to make a pewter metal cast of a common object, such as a domino, in sand. Please note: Pewter casting involves melting pewter at a very high temperature; adult supervision and safety equipment are required.
Let’s Try Aluminum Can Sculpture
A step-by-step tutorial on how to make a sculpture from repurposed aluminum cans that are attached using rivets and brads.
Videos created with generous support from Arconic Foundation.
sponsored by
The FUSION program at MuseumLab is made possible by the generous support of:
