The following is a news release from Gateway to Science.
Gateway to Science, North Dakota’s hands-on science center, is pleased to announce that Touchstone Energy Cooperatives® will name the second-floor maker space in the new Gateway to Science facility.
“Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have supported the science center since the beginning,” Gateway to Science Executive Director Beth Demke said. “I can’t think of a better place to display their name than our new maker space. It is a perfect fit with Touchstone’s Cooperative Principles — the maker space is all about education, cooperation, and community development. We are inspired by this collaboration between Great River Energy, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Minnkota Power Cooperative, and other local Touchstone Energy cooperatives.”
The 7,800-square-foot Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Innovation Space at Gateway to Science will feature movable tables, flexible seating, and a mix of high-tech and low-tech tools and resources. Visitors of all ages can design, prototype, and create using 3-D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, electronics, and more.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ $500,000 commitment to the Gateway to Science capital campaign will provide an environment that helps build 21st century skills, such as collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, which are important in the classroom, the workplace, and the public sphere.
“Great River Energy values opportunities to support non-profit educational organizations that have a positive impact in our local communities. This donation is important because it will help students develop skills to succeed as future leaders in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said Al Christianson, director of Business Development and Governmental Affairs at Great River Energy.
“We are excited about the opportunity to bring the Innovation Space to life because it’s unlike anything else in North Dakota,” said Paul Sukut, Basin Electric CEO and general manager. “The STEM activities that Gateway to Science offers are a great way for students to receive hands-on learning for so many topics that are important to our industry. It is our hope that the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Innovation Space helps inspire innovative thinking in all of us!”
“We are thrilled to support the creative young minds in our state by helping improve access to first-class educational resources in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math,” said Mac McLennan, Minnkota president and CEO. “The maker space will provide students and community members with the innovative resources that will prepare them for a future that is increasingly driven by technology. We thank Gateway to Science for its continued commitment to helping people across our state build bright futures.”
Gateway to Science anticipates and welcomes additional Touchstone Cooperatives to join in the sponsorship of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Innovation Space once construction commences.
To learn more about the new Gateway to Science facility, visit gatewaytoscience.org/building.
