Donation from Local Business Funds New Exhibit at Discovery Space

A Boalsburg-based company’s financial support has allowed Discovery Space to purchase an exhibit was formerly part of a traveling exhibition that visited science centers around the world.

EnergyCAP LLC made a “generous donation,” for Discovery Space, 1224 N. Atherton St., to permanently acquire the Color Play exhibit, according to a news release from the nonprofit interactive children’s science center.

Color Play, when fully refurbished, will provide ways for kids and adults to play with the physics of color.

“It will help visitors take a scientific approach to color by examining the pixels on a TV and cell phone screen and invite visitors to explore the perception of color in daily life,” according to Discovery Space. “One fun exhibit involves spinning wheels of various colors and patterns to see how they trick the visitor’s brain into seeing something totally unexpected. Another involves exploring how different wavelengths of light change the way things look.”

Michele Crowl, executive director of Discovery Space, said that for small science centers, the cost of purchasing new exhibits can be a challenge.

“EnergyCAP’s donation allowed us to purchase a high-quality exhibit that has literally been around the globe and loved by thousands of children,” Crowl said. “We’re thrilled that its next starring role is in our science center.”

Discovery Space will refurbish the exhibit over the next few months, including new paint and branding and updating certain components, to prepare it as a centerpiece of the exhibit gallery.

“We’re proud to support Discovery Space,” EnergyCAP founder and CEO Steve Heinz said. “Not only are we funding a new exhibit, we’re inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. STEM experiences are so important for kids, and exhibitions like this can be powerful motivators. We encourage other local science, technology, and engineering companies to follow suit and provide a spark to their next generation of employees.”

It’s the second time this year that the Centre County business community has helped fund a new exhibit at Discovery Space. In January, the science center announced a donation from AccuWeather founder and CEO Joel Myers to create a world-class weather exhibit designed for pre-K through 6th grade students, as well as to help Discovery Space through challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discovery Space recently reopened on a limited basis after being closed for most of the past year because of the pandemic.

“After being closed for 12 full months, we are investing in staff and in exhibits so that we can provide new and exciting learning experiences after a year of disrupted education,” Crowl said. “Our heartfelt thanks goes to EnergyCAP for helping our region’s children remember that learning is fun.”