Hands on with Da Vinci exhibition

LEONARDO Da Vinci is coming to Bendigo’s Discovery Science and Technology Centre next month.

The international exhibition Da Vinci’s Machines will feature a collection of inventions that helped shape the world in the 15th century.

Chair of major sponsor Bendigo Regional Manufacturing Group, Mark Brennan said he hopes the exhibition will inspire the next generation of innovators.

“The exhibition brings a timely message around the need to inspire the next generation to dare to imagine, innovate and create solutions that address some of the challenges we are facing as a nation,” he said.

“The number of children pursuing STEM careers has declined to alarming levels, so it is essential that we turn this trend around by focussing our efforts on building children’s confidence around innovation.

“Da Vinci’s machines will be a vehicle to help people, young and old, recognise that they have it in them to be innovators.”

The exhibition will allow for visitors to get hands on with life size models of Da Vinci’s inventions, built from original sketches.

Although perhaps better known for his paintings, Da Vinci is credited with the concept of many modern machines, including cars, helicopters and tanks.

Manager of Discovery Alissa Van Soest said she can’t wait for visitors to experience the work of one of the greatest innovators of all time.

“Discovery is thrilled to be showcasing the incredible work of the great Renaissance master, Leonardo Da Vinci, with the aim of inspiring everyone to become creators of positive change,” she said.

President of the Discovery board Ann Lansberry said there’s a lot to learn from the original Renaissance man.

“Now like no other time in history, the world needs innovators like Da Vinci to approach the challenges facing humanity and the world with creativity and resilience,” she said.

“We all have it in us to innovate, it doesn’t have to be big or complicated, some of the simplest inventions solve big problems.”

The exhibition opens late February and tickets can be found at discovery.asn.au.