Helicopters, parachutes, even a working robot — all imagined more than 500 years ago by Leonardo da Vinci. Now you can bring his inventions to life at Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion at the Michigan Science Center.

This isn’t just an exhibition — it’s an experience! Step inside a full-scale mechanical playground featuring 40 of da Vinci’s incredible inventions. See how his imagination shaped the future of technology — then crank gears, pull levers, and set his ideas in motion!

Explore the Mind of a Genius

Leonardo da Vinci — painter, sculptor, musician, engineer, and anatomist — continues to inspire generations of artists and inventors. Working directly from da Vinci’s notebooks, scientists and master artisans from Florence, Italy, have recreated his visionary designs using materials and techniques from the Renaissance.

The exhibition is organized around da Vinci’s study of the four elements of nature — Earth, Water, Air, and Fire — each showcasing his extraordinary creativity and mechanical genius.

  • Earth: Operate cranes, presses, and even command his humanoid robot.
  • Water: Spin the Archimedes’ screw and test da Vinci’s water floats.
  • Air: Explore flying machines, gliders, and parachutes that inspired modern aviation.
  • Fire: Step inside a full-sized armored tank designed to move like a modern military vehicle.

Connect da Vinci’s Ideas Across Mi-Sci

Keep the creativity flowing! After exploring the exhibit, visit other parts of the Michigan Science Center to see how da Vinci’s innovations connect to hands-on STEM fun:

  • Crank the Archimedes’ screw, then compare it to the version at the Kids Town water table.
  • Examine his flying machine designs, then create your own paper airplane prototypes in PlayLab.
  • Lift and swing objects with da Vinci’s revolving crane, then test your strength lifting 1,000 pounds in the Motion Gallery.
  • Crank the pedals on da Vinci’s bicycle, then explore how engineers design everything around us in the STEM Playground.

Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion is included with general admission to the Michigan Science Center and runs from October 11th thru January 2026. General admission is $18 per person, and a family membership is $99. MiSci is part of the Museums for All program and when you show your SNAP EBT card or WIC card and picture ID, general admission tickets are only $3/person for up to four people in your party.

Michigan Science Center // 5020 John R St, Detroit

Photo credit: Facebook