Science Center of Iowa

Project: When Things Get Moving  

Location: Des Moines, IA

Installed: September 2024

 

Celebrating the excitement of kinetic energy, the "When Things Get Moving" gallery at the Science Center of Iowa offers a hands-on look at the laws of motion. Boss Display collaborated directly with the science center to design, engineer, and fabricate this suite of interactive exhibits. Anchoring the space is a massive 30-foot ball wall and air tube system featuring a dramatic overhead ball drop, alongside a paper rocket station where guests build and launch their own creations toward targets. Complemented by unique features like a slinky treadmill and Bernoulli blower, the result is a room packed with kinetic motion that invites visitors to experiment with science on a whole new scale. 

The cloud ring launcher allows guests to experiment with torroidal vortexes as a rubber membrane sends out perfect misty rings.

The turntable encourages visitors to test out how various object rotate at different speeds.

The entryway sign to the gallery contains a window view of a mechanical ball track machine.

The oversized ball wall in complete with conveyors, air lifts and feeds into the oversized ball drop.

The slinky treadmill demonstrates a continuous cycle of potential, kinetic, and elastic energy.

Guests of all ages can experiment with air pressure as they lift a counterweight to compress air and send a tennisball flying.

The bernoulli blower exhibit demonstrates bernoulli’s princple as balls levitate through the air.

The handwheel operated conveyor lift sends balls through the top of the wall and back down into the magnetic track area.

The clamshell style ball drop is one of the most beloved exhibits in the space.

The paper rocket space of the gallery teaches guests about principles of aerodynamics as they create their own rockets and see which ones fly best.