The Outdoor Explorium is making music thanks to the generous support of the Andrist family.

When Levi and Bethany Andrist began looking for a way to support hands-on experiences at the science center, they were naturally drawn to music. As a result, their family helped bring three new interactive instruments from Percussion Play to the Outdoor Explorium: a dragonfly, a sunflower, and a bee.

Now, visitors can create music, explore sound, and connect with nature in a whole new way.

Music Inspired by Nature and Connection

The unique instruments carry special meaning for the Andrist family.

The dragonfly honors the memory of Jeremy Orn, remembered as “a life of humor and heart, time well spent with those he loved.”

The sunflower honors Mary Beth Orn and her life “rooted in hard work, love, and the land; helping all around her grow.”

The bee, meanwhile, celebrates the important role of pollinators. It reminds visitors that “bees help sustain the plants, the food, and the land around us.”

Creating Experiences for Our Community

Together, the instruments create new opportunities for visitors of all ages to experiment, play, and discover. These moments of discovery are made possible by generous community support.

We are grateful to Levi, Bethany, Teddy, Arthur, Gwendolyn, and their extended family for helping create new experiences for visitors. Their generosity has more added opportunities for creativity and exploration to the Outdoor Explorium.

Come Play for Yourself

The next time you visit the science center, be sure to explore the Outdoor Explorium. Then, take a moment to play the new dragonfly, sunflower, and bee instruments. See what you can discover when you make a little music!