Molecules for tomorrow: the interactive wall in the Elementary exhibition
Each year, SPARKOH! updates its exhibitions to stay connected to today’s challenges and continue surprising visitors of all ages with new experiences.
In February 2025, the Elementary exhibition, originally created in 2018 and renewed in 2026, was enhanced with a new interactive installation developed in partnership with Fluxys.
At the heart of this new feature is an 8-metre-long interactive wall designed to explore three key molecules involved in the energy transition: methane (CH4), carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
Three molecules, three journeys, one shared principle
The wall is divided into three play zones, each dedicated to a different molecule. Visitors choose a ball representing a molecule, place it into a circuit and interact with a variety of surfaces to move it along step by step.
As they manipulate the molecule, they transform it: changes of state, chemical reactions and new combinations. Each pathway offers a fun and hands-on way to discover chemistry through experimentation.
Designed for visitors aged 7 and over, the installation can be explored alone or with others. There are no rigid instructions: visitors experiment, observe and try again. The focus is on curiosity, interaction and learning through trial and error.
An installation designed through collaboration
This project was born from a close partnership between SPARKOH! and Fluxys.
The challenge was to create an installation that remained faithful to the scientific topics explored by Fluxys — the transformation and transport of molecules as part of the energy transition — while staying true to the SPARKOH! approach: engaging, accessible and hands-on experiences.
Throughout the development process, discussions were rich and collaborative, covering scientific content, interaction design and visitor experience. Fluxys experts ensured scientific accuracy, while the SPARKOH! teams focused on making the installation attractive, innovative and seamlessly integrated into the existing exhibition.
A hands-on introduction to modern chemistry
This installation reflects SPARKOH!’s commitment to addressing today’s major challenges through engaging educational experiences.
By manipulating these molecules of the future, visitors discover key chemistry concepts such as transformations, reactions and material properties, while connecting them to real-world industrial applications such as energy transport.
It is also an original way to highlight innovative companies active in Belgium and to build bridges between science, industry and society.
In collaboration with Fluxys