The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is home to the world’s largest motorcycle collection, featuring more than 1,800 models from 200 manufacturers in 22 countries and representing over a century of engineering, design, and innovation. The positive impact of the museum, however, extends far beyond its five floors.

Through immersive school field trips and the popular summer Barber Design Camp, the museum’s dynamic education program led by Dr. Liz Johnson engages students of all ages with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that connect the thrills of motorsports with the worlds of science, technology, engineering, math, art, and design.

In this program, motorcycles and race cars are transformed into real-world teaching tools, enabling students to explore the physics of speed, engine development, artistry of design, and problem-solving skills that fuel innovation. These experiences spark creativity, bolster critical thinking, and illustrate how foundational classroom lessons can lead to full-time careers.

Together with Yamaha, the museum is developing a new activity inspired by Yamaha’s own technical training program, “Yamaha Motor University.” Custom-built circuit boards that mirror actual motorcycle starting systems are designed to improve student understanding of energy transfer and the diagnosis of real-world electrical problems.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Yamaha to bring its technical expertise directly into our program here at Barber,” said Johnson. “This new module will not only enrich the learning experiences we offer but also open doors to career pathways in STEM and the motorsports industry. These opportunities allow us to show generations to come that the same knowledge and skills they’re building here and in their classrooms are the very ones driving the future.”

By blending history with high-tech learning, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum’s education program is strengthening the next generation of leaders and visionaries. With roughly 4,000 students visiting each year, the museum is uniquely positioned to inspire young minds, connecting the past, present, and future of motorsports.

“This collaboration strengthens our role as both a world-class museum and an educational leader,” said Brian Case, executive director. “With support from industry giants like Yamaha, and the vision and dedication of Liz, our education programs manager, we’re sparking curiosity and empowering students to envision themselves as tomorrow’s innovators.”

“Yamaha Motor University is proud to team up with the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum to launch this hands-on STEM lab,” said John Grubb, YMU training manager. “Modeled after our YZF-R3 motorcycle’s starting system, these boards will provide visiting students an engaging way to learn about electrical circuits using a real-world motorsports application.”

As the museum’s education program continues to expand over the coming months and years, it will serve as an internationally recognized hub for curiosity-driven learning and pave the road for many future generations of artists, designers, engineers, and scientists to take a seat at the front of the starting grid in the conservation and innovation of motorsports.