A new exhibit is coming to the Souris Valley Museum later this month as they welcome Ace Academy: Flight Experience, an interactive display produced by the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
Ace Academy is a digital, motion-based exhibit that allows visitors to step into the cockpit of a Sopwith Ship Camel biplane, a historic aircraft from the First World War. Using their bodies, players control the plane—raising their arms to climb, tilting to turn, dodging enemy aircraft, and lining up their shots.
Melanie Memory, director of the Souris Valley Museum, said they are excited to bring this hands-on experience to the community.
She noted the exhibit is a great opportunity to offer an engaging activity that families and children will enjoy.
“It’s an interesting exhibit for people to try because you actually get to use AI and kind of interact because you are flying a plane through the sky, and it’s a historical event to World War One,” she said.
Christina Tessier, president and CEO of Ingenium—Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation, said the exhibit reflects how museums are embracing new technology.
“Much like aviation technology affected the development of this field over a century ago, today’s digital technology is affecting the way museums engage with their audience. We are taking a number of strategic steps at our museums to broaden our national and international reach by leveraging exciting new technologies, and expanding their use to include travelling exhibitions,” she said.
Memory added that the exhibit is accessible to all ages.
“It can really be any age, you basically stand on the platform and just move your arms and you’re flying,” she said.
This will be the first exhibit of its kind at the Souris Valley Museum.
“I think it’s going to be really fun and interesting for everybody to try,” she said.
The exhibit opens Feb. 18 and runs until May 16. Admission to the museum is $5, with hours from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Due to the unique nature of the exhibit, the museum is considering temporarily extending its hours.
“So just watch our Facebook and website for that. Maybe some evening hours or possibly Saturdays,” Memory said.
The museum is also running a soup fundraiser with Mitchell’s Soup Company, with all proceeds going toward its locomotive refurbishment project.
“People can order online and pay online, and in addition to soups, there is also spices. There’s a really large variety,” Memory said.