Woodward Discovery Center

For Woodward’s 150th, Exhibit Debuts at Children’s Museums

Woodward Inc., known for its commitment to enhancing and advancing energy control products for aerospace and industrial markets, wanted to extend its 150th anniversary celebrations to local communities through its partnerships with two local children’s museums. The company turned to History Factory, its partner for the milestone, to develop interactive exhibits at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery in Fort Collins, Colorado, and the Discovery Center Museum in Rockford, Illinois.

In collaboration with Woodard and both museums, History Factory developed the concept, narrative and interactives for “Energy on the Move,” a dynamic exhibit that delved into the multifaceted world of energy utilization across land, sea and air, with an underlying message about Woodward’s impact on the respective industries involved.

Physical and digital interactive elements engaged visitors and showcased the transformative power of energy control, connecting back to Woodward’s industries and innovations while providing an entertaining way for kids to learn scientific principles. An exploration of hydropower allowed visitors to be the governor of a dam, regulating power. A cutaway of a diesel power head illustrated how a diesel engine works, and a train racing game demonstrated how weight and gravity affect power requirements. Finally, an airplane simulator game allowed visitors to regulate fuel as they flew a plane from Illinois to Colorado.

The exhibit featured four free-standing structures encompassing roughly 500 square feet of exhibit space. This format allowed each museum to set up the displays in a flexible layout for its individual space. A supplementary “maker space” activity was customized for each museum and its primary audience ages. Rockford utilized blocks that could be assembled into vehicles ideal for younger students. Fort Collins featured a setup that allowed older students to explore efficiency in powering various cardboard vehicles.

All exhibit elements were offered in English and Spanish, expanding accessibility to a diverse audience.

Energy On The Move Exhibit

At the heart of the exhibit lay a commitment to informing and empowering the next generation of scientists and engineers. Through a seamless fusion of education and entertainment, “Energy on the Move” showcased the transformative power of innovation and reflected Woodward’s commitment to driving positive change in its communities.

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