Melissa Higgins

Melissa Higgins is Vice President of Programs and Exhibits at the Museum, where she leads the development of the Museum’s signature hands-on play and learning experiences and is responsible for public programming and exhibit development both inside the Museum and beyond its walls. In this role, Melissa oversees the functions of child development, exhibits, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math), and humanities. Melissa joined the Museum in March 2018 and formerly served as the Senior Director for STEAM programming.

While at the Museum, Melissa has played leading roles in key new initiatives, including creation of the Museum’s STEAM and Art Labs, development of online play and learning tools, securing key grants, establishing strategic corporate partnerships to foster STEAM learning, developing innovative programs including Tech Kitchen and the CreatedBy Festival, and starting the Museum’s new summer camp.

She started her career at the Museum of Science in Boston, where she was Director of Curriculum Development for the Engineering is Elementary program. She also spent time in the education department at WGBH, Boston’s public television station. She holds a B.A. in Architectural Studies from Connecticut College and a M.A. in Museum Studies from the Harvard University Extension School.