Conference: The Traveling Gallery of Fluid Motion: An Exhibition for Informal Learning and Visitor Engagement with Fluid Dynamics

The Traveling Gallery of Fluid Motion (TGFM) is an art exhibition that brings the science of fluid dynamics to public audiences. Fluid dynamics, which studies liquids and gases, shapes everyday life. It appears in oceans, weather, energy, and health. Yet it is often hard to understand without technical training. This project addresses that gap by turning scientific images and videos into interactive exhibits. The artworks come from the Gallery of Fluid Motion (GFM) at the annual American Physical Society - Division of Fluid Dynamics (APS-DFD) conferences. The artworks show both the beauty and the science of fluid motion. The exhibits will be displayed at major science museums in Orlando and Boston during the 2026 and 2027 conferences. The ultimate goal is for the public to see the world differently by learning fluid dynamics principles and applications after visiting the gallery. The project develops and deploys a scalable art and science exhibition model that combines images, videos, and sculptures of fluid phenomena drawn from experimental and computational research. Each installation incorporates locally relevant themes and interactive interpretive materials to support visitor engagement and informal learning. The project uses the Visitor Identification and Engagement with Science (VINES) framework, which describes how museum visitors engage with science exhibits. The spectrum ranges from focusing on artifacts to connecting the experience to their personal identity. At the artifact end, visitors mainly observe objects and factual information, while at the personal end, they relate the experience to their own lives, interests, and sense of belonging in science. The framework helps researchers and educators understand how exhibits can move visitors from passive observation to deeper personal engagement with science. It includes bilingual labels, panel discussions with artists and scientists, and collaborative programming with educators, museum professionals, and researchers. By evaluating visitor experiences and refining exhibition design, the project establishes a transferable framework that inspires interest in fluid dynamics and supports pathways into science and engineering careers. A website documents exhibition content and provides educational resources such as articles, interviews, and guidelines for public. Dissemination efforts help establish TGFM as a model for other scientific galleries. For more information about Gallery of Fluid Motion, visit https://gfm.aps.org/. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2622292 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Azar Barakati | Institution: George Washington University, WASHINGTON, DC | Award Amount: $199,901 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2622292 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2622292.html