Tricia Edwards

Tricia Edwards joined Smithsonian Affiliations in 2018 as its Interim Associate Director. She develops strategic priorities and directs operations of the Affiliations program, working to bring Smithsonian resources to more than 200 Affiliate organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Panama.

Prior to joining Affiliations, Edwards spent 12 years as the Head of Education for the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History. She developed the conceptual framework and led evaluation efforts for the Center’s educational programs and activities, including the Draper Spark!Lab, a hands-on invention workspace for children and families at NMAH. She was also responsible for broadening Spark!Lab’s impact beyond Washington, DC, and oversaw installations of Spark!Labs in cities across the U.S. and abroad.