Bismarck, ND — June 19, 2025 — North Dakota’s Gateway to Science (NDGTS) is named a 2025 flagship grantee through AARP’s Community Challenge. This partnership supports an initiative that expands interactive, hands-on STEM learning tailored to adults aged 50 and over. The program will offer multiple opportunities focused on digital literacy, social connections, and lifelong learning.
The initiative launches this summer and continues through the fall, bringing engaging STEM experiences to adults 50 and over, both at the science center and in the community. On September 16, 2025, NDGTS will host a Discount Day for adults 50+, offering $3 admission to explore interactive exhibits and spark curiosity through hands-on science.
Throughout the fall, NDGTS will offer free workshops focused on relevant, accessible digital literacy and emerging technologies. In partnership with senior living centers in the area, the science center will deliver additional hands-on sessions designed to build digital confidence and encourage exploration in a supportive environment.
“These programs reflect our priority to make science relevant, accessible, and engaging for all ages,” said Hope Burdolski, Outreach & Education Director at NDGTS. “By expanding opportunities for adults 50 and over through AARP’s support, we’re building community and encouraging exploration at every stage of life.”
Together, NDGTS and AARP aim to connect adults with tools to navigate today’s digital world—while creating opportunities for discovery, connection, and hands-on fun. This project continues NDGTS’s long-standing commitment to inclusive STEM education for learners of all ages.
Learn more about AARP’s Community Challenge Grant at: www.aarp.com/communitychallenge
About North Dakota’s Gateway to Science
North Dakota’s Gateway to Science is the state’s only hands-on science center, located in Bismarck. With a mission to inspire the discovery of science through hands-on experiences, Gateway to Science engages learners of all ages through exhibits, outreach, camps, clubs, and statewide programming like Gateway to Science on the Go.
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. Through local programs and national advocacy, AARP works to make communities more livable and supports access to education, health, and technology for older adults nationwide.