Novos Inventos: Hands-On Enlightenment Workshop in Narón

At the Museo CIMIX in Narón, A Coruña, a compact workshop called Novos Inventos gives visitors a practical way to meet the ideas of the Enlightenment and turn them into something physical. In a focused, one-hour session participants study key discoveries from the 18th century - from mechanical automata to early chemistry demonstrations - then design and build a simple invention from recycled materials to be displayed in CIMIX's object case. The program is straightforward: a short illustrated primer on historical breakthroughs, a brainstorming period, construction with cardboard, tape and found components, and a shared exhibition moment where creations are labeled and placed on view. The site itself is easy to reach from central Narón and sits within a community museum context that prizes local education and reuse. Key features of the experience are the display case where visitor-made objects become part of a rotating show, a materials table stocked with scavenged and recycled parts, and curated panels that outline Enlightenment milestones and the scientific thinkers behind them. The activity highlights the physicality of invention - gears, levers, buoyancy tests - and uses familiar, low-tech materials to demonstrate complex ideas. Novos Inventos stands out in this coastal region because it pairs regional museum practice with a contemporary sustainability ethic: visitors leave with both a small artifact and a concrete sense of how past experiments inform modern problem-solving. Children must be accompanied by an adult and younger than six may be present but cannot participate, making the workshop ideal for families with school-age kids and curious adults. The guided format is hands-on and social; expect to share tools and ideas in a compact classroom. Practical notes: the workshop lasts approximately one hour, requires no technical background, and emphasizes accessible, creative thinking rather than formal engineering. It is an excellent option for visitors seeking indoor cultural programming during rainy days or as an educational complement to nearby natural excursions along the Ferrol estuary. Bring enthusiasm, a willingness to tinker, and any small personal items you'd like to incorporate into a build. For travelers based in Narón or nearby Ferrol, Novos Inventos offers an efficient, memorable way to connect with regional museum culture while practicing reuse and invention. The finished mini-exhibit gives participants a modest claim to public display - a satisfying conclusion that turns questions about how science worked in the past into a tangible, modern reply. Space is limited so check CIMIX opening hours and book in advance via the referral link. The museum rotates exhibits, so items stay on view for a short period; returning participants can often see different entries. Comfortable shoes are fine-most work is seated-but allow extra time to explore other museum galleries after the session too.