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A unique collaboration between Dr. Ana Maria Navas Iannini’s special topics course and the SFU Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology has resulted in an interactive, student-led exhibit now showcased in the museum. 

Dr. Navas Iannini, an expert in museum education, designed Education 398: Museums, Education, and Society to be hands-on. “I wanted to make this course practical and tangible for my students,” she explains. “They aren’t just theorizing about museum education—they’re creating something real and impactful.”

That vision came to life when students in the Fall 2024 class developed a choose-your-own adventure-style video game exploring the complexities of repatriation and healing–returning Indigenous belongings to their rightful communities. Now a museum fixture, this project gives Education students a unique role in shaping public and community engagement. 

An Interactive Exhibit on Repatriation

Students visited the museum throughout the semester, engaging with Indigenous perspectives and exploring the challenges and opportunities afforded by repatriation. They had full access to the museum’s collection and received guidance from Barbara Hilden, Museum Director, on ethical and practical considerations.

The idea for a video game came entirely from the students. “They did most of the work,” shares Hilden. “It arrived as a mostly fully formed project. My role was to answer their questions—many of which focused on repatriation and museum ethics.”

The result? An immersive, decision-based game where players navigate the real-world challenges museums face when handling cultural belongings. 

The project reflects a shift in museum practices, moving from top-down curatorial approaches to community engagement and co-creation of installations and accompanying narratives. 

A Lasting Impact on Museum Education

For Education students, this project was more than just a class assignment—it is now a feature of the museum, helping future visitors engage with one of the most pressing conversations in museum studies today.

“This will continue to educate visitors long after students have graduated,” says Dr. Navas Iannini. “It’s a real, functional exhibit that contributes to public understanding of museum ethics and reconciliation.” 

Hilden sees this as part of a larger movement toward more inclusive and dynamic museum spaces—one where students do not just learn about museum work but actively shape it.

“The best museums aren’t just places where you look at belongings behind glass,” she says. “They are spaces for engagement, discussion, and real-world impact. These students did not just learn about repatriation—they created something that helps others navigate its complexities.”

By integrating interactive elements like the choose-your-own adventure-style video game, this exhibit ensures visitors not only read about repatriation but experience the ethical dilemmas involved.

How to Get Involved

For students, faculty members, and community members interested in museum-based learning, there are multiple ways to participate:

• Volunteering: Assist with museum operations, exhibit research, and collection digitization.

• Research & Class Collaborations: Faculty can partner with the museum to design course-integrated projects, as Dr. Navas Iannini did, and class visits and research using the Museum collections. 

• Community Events: The museum is working to host student-led events, such as an archaeology-themed board game night.

• Artist-in-Residence Program: Every Thursday, visit the museum to see Coast Salish artists creating traditional and contemporary works, in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Education

“This isn’t my museum or even SFU’s museum,” Hilden emphasizes. “It belongs to the whole community. We need more voices, perspectives, and collaborations to make this space even more meaningful.”

A Living, Evolving Space for Learning

With the success of this collaboration, EDUC 398 is running again this Spring, with students designing new museum-related projects. Hilden hopes to expand student involvement beyond Archaeology, encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations.

For the Faculty of Education, this collaboration highlights the value of hands-on learning, allowing students to apply their knowledge and express their views and values beyond the classroom.