Weather forecasters are predicting a cool and wet summer here in Ottawa (unfortunately). That means, it could be a good summer to frequent Ottawa’s many wonderful museums. Our family spent a rainy day last week checking out the newest exhibit at Canada’s Science and Technology Museum. The temporary exhibit is Leonardo da Vinci: 500 Years of Genius. da Vinci is one of those names that everyone recognizes and this year marks 500 years since his death. He was an inventor, artist, scientist, anatomist, engineer, architect, sculptor and philosopher, and this exhibit is truly stunning.

I still remember my Social Studies class in grade 9 where we learned all about Leonardo da Vinci, the ultimate Renaissance man. He is perhaps best known as an artist for some of the most famous works of art the world has ever known, such as the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper and Vitruvian Man. It is da Vinci’s art that first greets you as you step into the Science and Technology exhibit – beautiful reconstructions of familiar and unbelievable paintings.

The exhibit also features unique displays of life sized reconstructions of da Vinci’s machine inventions. The kids and I were pretty blown away by the scope of da Vinci’s ideas. He laid the groundwork for some of modern society’s most notable inventions, including the helicopter, airplane, submarine, parachute and bicycle.

The majority of the exhibit is hands-off (which can be difficult for little kids, and you will have to keep an eye on them), but there is a section right in the middle of the exhibit where young and old can touch and move some of the invention reconstructions. My kids, Lucas and Rowan spent a lot of time experimenting with the many pulleys and levers.

The exhibit also uses experiential SENSORY4 technology which is a unique system combining motion graphics, surround sound and up to 40 high definition projectors. It’s an interesting open room where you can be surrounded by da Vinci’s art and inventions.

In total we probably spent between 30-40 minutes enjoying the exhibit as a family. My husband and I, along with my mother in law (who was visiting from out of town) loved it. Our kids enjoyed it but overall it isn’t really geared towards little kids. That being said, I would highly recommend it to anyone with slightly older children, especially pre teens and teens. This is the first time the exhibit has been presented in Canada and it’s worth catching while you can.

Tickets are $22 for an adults and includes museum admission, $15 for a youth (ages 3-17), 2 and under are free. If you have a membership it is an additional $5 for an adult and $4 for a youth. This exhibit is only here for a limited time – on now until September 2nd.