Interactive exhibit explores the life and legacy of the Athabasca Glacier

An interdisciplinary team from the University of Waterloo premiered an interactive art exhibit that brings the story of the Athabasca Glacier to life, blending science, technology and art to spark deeper conversations about climate change.

The Life and Legacy of the Athabasca Glacier was created by researchers and students from the Faculties of Engineering, Environment and Arts, in collaboration with multimedia artists and imagery provided by Guardians of the Ice. The exhibit blends engineering, climate research, visual art, sound design and interactive media to tell the story of the Athabasca Glacier, one of North America’s most visited glaciers, that is projected to disappear within this century.

Visitors are guided through three immersive chapters of the glacier’s 10,000-year lifespan, its melting depicted through a disappearing moulin (an ice cave within the glacier), and an opportunity to write a message to the glacier through an interactive glacial water sculpture installation.

“Art can trigger an emotional response to what is changing in ways that traditional scientific communication sometimes cannot,” said Dr. Maryia Markhvida, co-principal investigator and Professor in Systems Design Engineering (SYDE). “Creativity and technology together allow us to tell stories in ways no other medium can.”

The opening reception included an artist panel, with Markhvida and her collaborator, Dr. Michelle Rutty, a Canada Research Chair in Tourism, Environment and Sustainability and Professor in Geography and Environmental Management, Jayden Hsiao, a SYDE master’s student and Dror Margalit, a multimedia creator and founder of ARTFUL, moderated by Dr. Sarah Burch.

The panellists highlighted how engineering tools can support environmental storytelling. Hsiao (BASc, ’24) contributed expertise from his master’s research on computer vision algorithms for sea ice and wildlife monitoring and from previous courses in both glaciology and interactive art and design.

“The interdisciplinary collaboration allowed us to create a richer experience,” said Hsiao. “The elements that combine many skillsets, like 3-D modelling and sculpting with sound design, are what help to make a meaningful impact.”

The creators intentionally designed the exhibit to be accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, including those with little prior knowledge of glaciers or climate science. By emphasizing emotional connection alongside scientific understanding, the team hopes visitors leave reflecting not only on what is happening to the glacier, but on their own relationship to environmental change.

Ultimately, the exhibit offers both urgency and hope: while the future of the Athabasca Glacier remains uncertain, meaningful climate action begins with understanding, connection and shared responsibility.

The Life and Legacy of the Athabasca Glacier will be on display at the Jasper Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre this fall.