Maya Oliver is an educator and museum professional from Washington, DC, dedicated to expanding young people’s access to invention-based learning. She currently serves as the Spark!Lab Manager at the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History. In this role, she oversees the museum’s hands-on invention space and leads training for volunteers and staff on fostering creative, learner-centered experiences.

Before joining the Lemelson Center, Maya shaped maker-based curriculum and programming at Bethesda’s KID Museum and taught project-based science in secondary classrooms across DC. Her work consistently centers on designing environments where young people can experiment, collaborate, and develop future-facing skills. Whether in a classroom, a makerspace, or a museum, Maya brings a deep commitment to helping learners see themselves as inventive problem-solvers.