North Dakota's Gateway to Science

North Dakota's Gateway to Science is a hands-on science center located in Bismarck. Our mission is to inspire the scientist in everyone. Our gallery is filled with hands-on exhibits for all ages.

Our expanded hands-on exhibit gallery – 5 1/2 times more than the former space – tells the story of innovation and opportunity in North Dakota to visitors of all ages. The gallery features major North Dakota industries and resources—energy, agriculture, health care, transportation, water, weather and engineering. We collaborated with Science Museum of Minnesota to design exhibits that are:

• • be hands-on and provide open-ended learning opportunities
  • focus on STEM careers
  • inspire creativity and problem-solving
  • demonstrate real-world applications
  • spotlight innovation.

The second floor of the new gallery features The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Innovation Space, a 7,800-square-foot innovation/maker space. According to Maker Media, “maker spaces combine manufacturing equipment, community, and education for the purposes of enabling community members to design, prototype and create manufactured works that wouldn’t be possible to create with the resources available to individuals working alone.” The flexible space will feature movable tables and chairs, varied consumables and advanced technology, including a large-format printer and 3D printer.