Time Travelers & Tiny Treasures: Exploring the Past Through Artifacts

In the drawers of the Kravis Learning Center, history waited quietly—tiny treasures tucked away, each with a story to tell. When the Gilcrease Museum invited me to help bring those stories to life, I didn’t just see a database. I saw a playground for curiosity.

My task? To design an interactive multimedia experience that would let children become time travelers, exploring the past through games, puzzles, videos, and seek-and-find adventures. The museum had the artifacts. I had the vision.

The challenge was technical: how to connect an Access database to Flash-based software in a way that felt seamless, intuitive, and fun. So I rolled up my sleeves and got to work, writing custom code to bridge the gap and unlock the collection for young explorers.

The result was a four-part learning journey:

• The Kravis Center Catalog: A digital treasure chest where kids could browse and discover real artifacts.
• Videos Linked to Artifacts: Short, engaging clips that added depth and context to each item.
• Games and Puzzles: Designed to spark joy and reinforce learning through play.
• Survey: A space for kids to share their thoughts and become part of the story.

I animated the homepage, added immersive sound effects, and made sure every click felt like an invitation to explore. The final experience wasn’t just educational—it was enchanting.

This project reminded me that storytelling isn’t limited to words. Sometimes, it’s a well-timed animation, a clever bit of code, or a drawer that opens to reveal a forgotten world. And when children lean in, curious and engaged, you know you’ve done more than design. You’ve made history feel alive.