Fabricating the Force Course
The DoSeum
Out with the Old, In with the New
Our working relationship with The DoSeum in San Antonio dates back to 2009 when they were still called the San Antonio Children's Museum and they hired us to build a ball area. In 2015, just a year after they became The DoSeum, they once again hired us to upgrade and move the ball area creating a room at their new location called Powerball Hall. Four years later, they asked us to transform Powerball Hall into what is now called the Force Course, where young children learn about force, motion, simple machines and Bernoulli's principle.
High Flying Fun
Although the client initially wanted an integrated ball-and-scarf air tube system, careful testing determined that it was not feasible to integrate the two, so we proceeded with the ball-exclusive exhibit, or Force Course. Force refers to the force associated with air and the kinetic energy of rolling balls, and also the force that comes from the cannons. Course refers to the many paths where the balls travel. Thanks to a range of colors, kids can track their ball as it moves through the tubes. This was the first air tube exhibit we built using balls rather than scarves. Rigorous testing helped us land on a formula for the right combination of balls, tubes and blowers.
Encouraging Creative Construction
Sending the balls flying and rolling through the air tube system is engaging for children, but constructing the tubes themselves provides an opportunity for hands-on trial and error. The Magnetic Ball Wall encourages kids to build their own course for the balls using multiple cannons, tubes, and spin wheels. The two Bernoulli fountains levitate balls in the air, further engaging visitors with real world science such as the Bernoulli principle. These interactive activities are not only fun but also lead children to cooperate socially while constructing creatively.
“We’ve worked with Boss Display on three different projects and continue to return to them for work. They are the go-to group for water and ball exhibits, I wouldn’t go to anyone else. They know them inside and out and always devote the time and effort to do it right.”
Hands-on, Inclusive Cooperation
The Ball Drop combines the hands-on fun of an air tube system with the creativity of music and the social development of cooperation. Including multiple cymbals, drums, chimes, and lights, the overhead bucket collects balls as they fly into it before dropping them all in an engaging cascade. Kids work together to fill the Ball Drop up and then see the effect of their actions as the balls rain down. The various points of interaction make the Force Course an inclusive environment for visitors as they explore together.
Features:
Clam-shell style ball drop incorporating LED lights and percussion instruments
Magnetic Ball Wall demonstrating simple machines
Screw, Pulley, Wheel & Axle, Inclined Plane, Wedge, and Lever
Ball lift systems including screws, conveyors, air tubes, and catapults
Multi-directional spiral ball launchers with chasing LED lights
Ball levitating interactive highlighting Bernoulli’s Principle
L-shaped ball maze with feed points, diverters and storage bins
Bi-Lingual graphics package describing scientific principles
Other Featured Work
