What is this project?
The Ann Arbor Hands on Museum is always expanding and refining their exhibits to improve the educational experience for the many children and adults who patronize the museum. Students on this team will design and build a museum-ready, durable, and engaging child-friendly steel ball launching exhibit, demonstrating the addition of magnetic forces.
What am I going to do?
MDP projects push you to integrate interdisciplinary engineering knowledge and develop strategic problem-solving skills. On this project, students will design and build a robust and easy to use children’s museum exhibit showcasing magnetic forces.
- Understand the capabilities of the child users and the needs of the museum staff
- Design and implement a new mechanism utilizing electro-magnets and electromechanical devices for easy resetting
- Prototype various solutions involving motors, actuators, or servos to automate the reset process effectively
- Test and refine the exhibit to ensure it consistently demonstrates the intended scientific principles in an engaging way
- Create and integrate instructional materials that will accompany the exhibit
- Design for longevity, enabling easy replacement of any custom designed parts
Stretch Goal Opportunities Include:
- Implement the exhibit in the museum, and receive feedback from real users
- Incorporate interactive elements or educational enhancements to further engage young visitors and showcase the additive power of magnets
- Integrate sensors for feedback on the exhibit’s performance or user interaction metrics.
Why does it matter?
The Ann Arbor Hands on Museum is a beloved Ann Arbor institution that sees over 250,000 exuberant young visitors every year. The museum generously received a donation of a series of physics exhibits from University of Michigan professor of physics, Carl Akerlof. While this particular magnetic forces exhibit does a great job of engaging children and conveying the concepts of multiplying magnetic forces, it contains permanent magnets that are very challenging for adults to reset, and impossible/unsafe for young children. It has unfortunately been sitting in storage, unable to be utilized. If the functionality of this exhibit can be completely reimagined and improved for use by small children, it will become an exciting part of the museum’s exhibits.
By revamping this exhibit and making it more child friendly, this team will be enabling the museum to put this engaging exhibit in the museum, educating and engaging the many children (and adults!) who visit the museum.
Below are the skills needed for this project. Students with the following relevant skills and interests, regardless of major, are encouraged to apply! This is a team-based multidisciplinary project. Students on the team are not expected to have experience in all areas, but should be willing to learn and will be asked to perform a breadth of tasks throughout the two-semester project.
Mechanical Design (2-3 students)
Specific Skills: Techniques for fast prototyping, mechanical systems, experimental testing and evaluation, integrating mechanical and electrical components, user friendly design principles
EECS 314 or equivalent is a strong plus
Likely Majors: ME, ROB
Electromechanical Design (2-3 Students)
Specific Skills: Knowledge of electronic systems, circuit design, and integration of motors and actuators
Likely Majors: EE, CE, ECE, ROB, ME
Educational Design (1 Student)
Specific Skills: Ability to convey complex scientific concepts in engaging, age-appropriate ways
This person must also be willing to do hands-on prototype development work
Likely Majors: EDUC, Museum Studies minor, students in other majors with significant interest in museum design and STEM education.
Additional Desired Skills/Knowledge/Experience
Strong candidates will have familiarity or experience with some of the following items, and a positive attitude to learn what is necessary, as the project gets underway.
- Interest or experience in STEM education is a plus
- Interest or experience in Industrial Design is a plus
- High fidelity prototyping skill
- Design for the user
- Enthusiasm for hands-on science museums and learning!
- Practical mechanical system design skills: 3D printing, Sensor/hardware integration, basic controls, fast prototyping, CAD, machining, etc.
Sponsor Mentor
Ari Morris
Director of Exhibits & Technology, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science & Nature Center
With more than 20 years of museum experience, Ari leads the Exhibits Department in designing, building, and maintaining interactive, STEM-focused exhibits that engage and inspire over 250,000 visitors annually. He works closely with the Education Department to ensure exhibits align with learning goals and support hands-on educational programming, and partners with the Operations Department to help provide a smooth and engaging visitor experience.
Faculty Mentor
Jeffrey Koller
Jeffrey Koller is a Lecturer III in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. He is passionate about teaching and specializes in courses focused on dynamic systems and control. Dr. Koller earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan where his research centered on the control of wearable robotics for walking, such as exoskeletons and prostheses, and their biomechanical implications. He is thrilled to serve as an MDP faculty mentor and looks forward to contributing to a project that is so educationally driven.
Project Meetings
During the winter 2026 semester, the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum team will meet on North Campus on Wednesday 2:30 – 4:30 pm.
Work Location
Most of the work will take place on campus in Ann Arbor, with periodic trips to the museum in downtown Ann Arbor to see the exhibits, talk to stakeholders, and make presentations.
Course Substitutions: CE MDE, ChE Elective, DESCI 503, EE MDE, CoE Honors, MECHENG 490, ROB Flex Tech
Citizenship Requirements:
- This project is open to all students.
- International Students: on an F-1 visa will be required to declare part time CPT during Winter 2026 and Fall 2026 terms.
IP/NDA: This project will be open source and all students must sign an open source agreement.
Summer Project Activities:
No summer activity will take place on the project.