The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada (RAMWC) along with industry partners EnviroTREC and WestCaRD, identified the need for a STEM based exhibit focused on sustainable aviation fuels. This initiative aligns with the global shift towards environmentally friendly energy sources, transitioning from convectional fuels like gasoline and kerosene to potential greener alternatives including lithium-ion batteries, biofuel, and liquid hydrogen. Through an interactive, STEM based exhibit, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about these fuel options and their underlying concepts.

To ensure a successful exhibit design, several technical specifications and constraints were outlined prior to developing a solution. These included size and accessibility dimensions, performance requirements, inclusion of tactile components, and a significant “wow” factor. These predefined objectives guided the development of the design solution, which is composed of three distinct components that make up the entire exhibit: a historical timeline, a specific energy station, and a CO2 emissions station, each incorporating STEM principles through visual and hands-on experiences. The timeline provides a rich history about the evolution of aviation fuels. For the specific energy station, it allows visitors to gauge the specific energy of different aviation fuels by propelling planes along a track. The emissions station offers an interactive demonstration of CO2 output of various aviation fuels, enabling visitors to visualize and compare emissions through a fog display. The prototype of the conceptual solution was tested against the established specifications to ensure the creation of a successful design. The dimensions of the prototype were tested for public accessibility and passed. Additionally, the exhibit’s content was evaluated for understandability, targeting various comprehension levels to ensure that the STEM principles are clear to the visitors. Using a text scoring system, the prototype achieved a 6th grade reading level of comprehension. “Wow” factor and user friendliness of tactile components were assessed via survey with museum visitors. The feedback indicated that while the exhibit’s design was easy to use and engaging, it could benefit from additional elements to truly inspire and captivate visitors.

Following evaluation of the prototype, several enhancements were proposed to the RAMWC that could improve the exhibit’s design. Replacing the chalkboard with a smart touchscreen board would allow for unlimited storage of visitors’ ideas on green aviation fuel, which can also be shared as a display when the screen is idle. Additionally, the exhibit could be optimized for efficiency through changes that include adopting a modular design for easy updates, incorporating a drainage at the emissions station to eliminate mold risk, and utilizing materials that are both lightweight and robust. To improve accessibility, incorporating auditory or tactile feedback would assist those who are visually impaired, and incorporating QR codes could deepen the educational experience.

The RAMWC exhibit represents a dynamic fusion of education and innovation, igniting curiosity and fostering learning about sustainable aviation fuels.