Science Museum of Minnesota - Exhibit History - National Canal Museum Image Gallery

&lt;p&gt;The introductory panels utilize visual design elements from canal locks. Open areas in the walls provide tantalizing glimpses into the exhibit.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Drawing from a selection of canal parts, visitors build a canal into this landscape.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;A low table and sturdy materials mean this young engineer can design a canal his own way.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;First, build an aqueduct. Then remove the embankments and press down on the top of the arches to see why those supports are necessary.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;A 90&#039; long, water-filled, model canal system is a great place to learn about how locks work.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Simple machines, like inclined planes, were essential to canals when a hill was too steep or did not have enough water available to make locks practical.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Coal fueled America&#039;s growth. Canals were an inexpensive route to move coal from the inland mines to where it was needed.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Mules were essential for pulling canal boats. Visitors can harness a mule while they learn how harnesses help distribute weight and make pulling easier on the mule.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Shift the tiller and the &amp;quot;boat&amp;quot; you are standing on rotates&amp;#8212;with you on it!  Suddenly, pulling the tiller right to make the boat turn left makes sense.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Visitors try out simple machines for themselves. The barrel with the most pulleys takes the least force to lift, but you have to pull a lot of rope to raise it up.&lt;/p&gt;