Case Study: Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago educates and entertains visitors with Bridgewater Studio’s friction exhibit

Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago builds a durable friction exhibit with Bridgewater Studio

Bridgewater Studio was engaged by the Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago to create an interactive exhibit that would make the scientific concept of friction exciting and educational for visitors of all ages. The challenge was to build a durable machine that could generate data and allow guests to participate in a real-time scientific experiment, demonstrating how different inputs create different outcomes, all while fitting seamlessly within an existing gallery.

The solution designed and produced by Bridgewater Studio was a tilting table, akin to a see-saw, where visitors race pucks made of different materials to see how they perform. The exhibit was fabricated with precision using CNC and 3D printing for durability from materials like stainless steel and Corian™. The result was an ingenious interactive exhibit that accurately portrays the principles of friction, providing a win for the museum and a delight for its guests.

Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago (msi)