Adventurarium Has a New Display
Written by broebling on January 31, 2017
Press Release – The Campbell County School District Science Center – Adventurarium has a new display for students and adults alike.
“Pathfinders: Coal and the future of energy” will be dedicated Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Campbell County School District Science Center located at 525 W. Lakeway Road in Gillette, Wyo.
The exhibit gives visitors a look at the many ways Powder River Basin coal contributes to not only the economy of Gillette, but also to the nation’s energy future. Features of the display include the history of coal in Wyoming, how coal powers the economy, how electricity is essential to everyday life, and how coal is a clean source of fuel to produce energy.
The display also includes a touchscreen focused on the Wyoming Integrated Test Center (ITC) located at the Dry Fork Station, a coal-based power plant near Gillette. The NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE has been announced as the first tenant of the Wyoming ITC. The Carbon XPRIZE is a global competition designed to spur breakthrough technologies that convert the most carbon dioxide into one or more products with the highest net value.
Expected to be present at the dedication include Dr. Boyd Brown, superintendent of schools for Campbell County, Jodi Crago-Wyllie, science center director, and Mayor Louise Carter-King, Gillette.
“The Campbell County School District has a long-standing relationship with the people and industry in Campbell County and Wyoming,” says Crago-Wyllie. “This exhibit has created a learning opportunity for students and local residents. Growing up in Wyoming, many kids in school say they’d like to grow up to work in the energy industry. Pathfinders gives an opportunity to learn the latest in technology and economics.”
Basin Electric Power Cooperative, operator of the Dry Fork Station, sponsored staff to develop and design “Pathfinders: Coal and the future of energy.” Staff from Basin Electric will also be present, including Dry Fork Station Plant Manager Tom Stalcup.
“Gillette has proven to be a wonderful home for our Dry Fork Station, and this is just one way we can give back,” says Curt Pearson, Basin Electric director of media/community relations. “Basin Electric follows the seven cooperative principles, one of which is focused on education, training, and information, and another is focused on concern for community. We are pleased to help tell the story of coal in Wyoming, and how we use coal today to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity.”
About the Gillette Science Center
The Science Center is a unique hands-on science center located in Campbell County School District’s Lakeway Learning Center in Gillette, Wyo. Serving over 7,500 students each school year, the Science Center continues to serve as an extension of science classrooms around the district. In addition to serving the district, the Science Center also has visitation hours available to the public.
About Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Basin Electric is a consumer-owned, regional cooperative headquartered in Bismarck, N.D. It generates and transmits electricity to 141 member rural electric systems in nine states: Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. These member systems distribute electricity to about 3 million consumers.
