On View Until May 13, 2026
Organized by Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh) & produced in partnership with Sciencenter (Ithaca)
This hands-on exhibition offers young artists and inventors a chance to immerse themselves in the mind of Leonardo da Vinci, the original Renaissance man, and explore all the fascinating facets of his work across multiple disciplines. Build, sketch, test, and design via activities tied to Leonardo’s era and ideas. Children and adults alike will find the brain challenges, opportunities for creative expression, and intriguing ideas appealing.
At Leonardo’s Lab, learn how simple machines can help accomplish work faster and more easily by playing with gears and pegs. Try to recreate Leonardo’s amazing tool-and hardware-free interlocking bridge. Use architectural blocks to design the ideal city with different structures and street layouts. Challenge your brain and develop your creativity with different classic puzzles.
Leonardo used his own reverse-print code to keep his ideas confidential. Try your hand – literally – at writing backward so it seems correct when viewed in a mirror.
Using a preprinted template, cut out and fold your own air-powered flying ‘copter, then modify it to change or improve the aerodynamics.
Sketch the curves in a series of ratio-connected squares, or draw an original figure using the squares for proportions, to delve into the deep math of the Fibonacci Sequence. Explore Leonardo’s anatomy lessons and make your own observations in your sketch of a human or horse figure. Draw, color, stamp, and rub to create your very own Mona Lisa masterpieces!