Backyard Exhibit Component: Mud Launcher

Project Summary

Minnesota Children’s Museum is creating a new backyard exhibit for the summer of 2023. This interactive exhibit will promote creativity and experimentation through mud. Children and adults will make their own mud, experimenting with how it moves and behaves. This project will focus on developing two fully functional prototypes with different methods and testing the capabilities of each to launch mud of different consistencies. In the prototyping and testing processes, recommendations for the most effective mechanisms as well as dirt types will be communicated. Manufacturing drawings and a maintenance manual will be drafted to accompany the prototypes.

Design Goal

This project seeks to develop two fully functional prototypes with different methods for launching mud. Not only do the launchers need to be capable of launching mud, but they also need to be safe and intuitive for children to operate.

Design Constraints

• Each launching mechanism shall launch mud in the range of 9 to 12 feet.
• The force needed to launch shall not exceed 20 lbf.
• The temperature of the launcher material surfaces shall not exceed 109°F.
• Removal of dirt from the launchers shall take one person no more than 15 minutes.
• The launchers shall be able to withstand normal repetitive uses by children as intended.
• The launchers shall be able to function after exposure to weather conditions.
• The launchers shall abide by the American Disabilities Act and be accessible.