A student-inspired installation has become a permanent part of the Museum of Utah, according to a October 29 report. The exhibit, which originated as an eighth-grade project at Rowland Hall, is currently housed in the museum's Inspiring Utah gallery within the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games exhibit.
The project began in spring 2023 when eighth-grade students studied the societal role of museums. Students met with historians designing the new Museum of Utah to create prototypes for potential exhibits. A group consisting of Lila Bates, Kunga Kabsang, and Meredith Maloy designed an interactive project centered on Utah's skiing history and its impact on the state.
While the original prototype was a cardboard slalom course with magnetized racers, the final museum version is a seven-foot-long interactive game. Visitors use foosball-like handles to maneuver 3D-printed skiers through race gates and toward a light-up finish line.
The exhibit highlights Utah's skiing history and the influence of legends such as Stein Eriksen, Ted Ligety, Alf Engen, and Jack Reddish. Kunga Kabsang noted that the final product looks exactly as the group envisioned during their eighth-grade studies. Lila Bates expressed gratitude that the designer maintained the original model while making it functional for the community.
The initiative is an example of project-based learning, a strategic priority launched by Rowland Hall in 2022–2023. This educational approach emphasizes student choice, critical thinking, and connecting curriculum to real-world challenges through community partnerships. Dr. Brady Smith, an eighth-grade English teacher, stated the project allowed students to impact how history is presented in the museum.
The installation has become a popular attraction for museum-goers. Kunga Kabsang reported that the exhibit has been broken multiple times due to high levels of engagement and competitive play. A placard accompanying the game notes that Rowland Hall students were essential to the installation's creation.
