HELENA — ExplorationWorks has a new tech lab thanks to a generous donation from a patron.
The tech lab offers a larger education space for the science museum's robotics, 3-D printing and other coding classes and camps. It also includes an interactive projector.
“It allows us to have larger classes having this new space,” said ExplorationWorks Executive Director Kelly Posewitz. “We can do robotics challenges and competitions, which we didn’t have the space before.”
The tech lab was made possibly by a donation from Helena lawyer Rick Pyfer.
“My grandkids and I come down here, and I have a great time with them doing all the new programs and things,” said Pyfer. “I just love the place in that it offers so many different learning experiences for kids.”
Pyfer made the donation so his grandkids, and any other kid for that matter, can have more opportunities to learn and grow at the museum.
His granddaughter Betta is currently attending summer camps at ExplorationWorks.
“My favorite part is the camps,” said Betta. “We all learn about science and exploring stuff, and that’s just the best part.”
ExplorationWorks is still closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posewitz says they wouldn’t be able to expand their mission if it weren’t for donations like these.
“We really rely on admissions and memberships which is about half our income and the rest is contributions,” explained Posewitz. “So when we want to do a larger project outside our budget it really takes someone special or an organization to step up and make it possible. In this case is was Rick Pyfer that made it all possible.”
