The Springfield Museums present Curiosity Challenge, School Vacation Week, February 20-24! With the special exhibition Leonardo’s Lab as inspiration, visitors will enjoy daily hands-on activities that engage the mind and get them thinking outside the box. All activities are free with museum admission.
“Leonardo’s Lab is a fantastic exhibit, and we’re looking forward to building on that experience with lots of fun and engaging STEAM activities for visiting families,” said Larissa Murray, Director of Education.
Born in 15th century Italy, Leonardo da Vinci was an artist, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect. He is often called one of the greatest painters in the history of art, and—pushed by his curiosity—conceptualized modern inventions such as airplanes and solar power.
“Inspired by the mind of da Vinci, we invite visitors of all ages to engage in our ‘Curiosity Challenges’ to creatively tackle prompts and problems,” said Abby Garner, Family Engagement Coordinator.
DAILY ACTIVITIES
Spark!Lab, 10:30 am-4 pm
Innovate, collaborate, problem-solve, and create in our hands-on inventor space!
Paper Boat Float, 11 am–3 pm
Using paper, can you create a boat that floats?
Stick To It, 11 am–3 pm
Use popsicle sticks and other materials to build towers and bridges that can balance and support weights!
Launch It!, 11 am–3 pm
Build your own catapult and put it to the test.
Great Gliders, 11 am–3 pm
Make a glider, test your design, and try again! (Note: Tuesday-Friday only)
The Horse that Never Was, 12–4 pm
Complete da Vinci’s unfinished work, the Gran Cavallo by creating your own horse sculpture.
SPECIAL GUESTS
LINK TO LIBRARIES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Stop by for literacy activities and a book giveaway!
THE FOURTH WALL ENSEMBLE, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 12:30 PM
Music comes to life in this entertaining show! The Fourth Wall Ensemble delights with a new hybrid of the performing arts in which musicians are also actors and dancers.
Leonardo’s Lab was developed by Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and produced in partnership with the Sciencecenter (Ithaca, NY.).
Spark!Lab is the flagship educational initiative of the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation.