Science Center of Iowa Awarded Grant to Supercharge STEM Education
$15,000 Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant will fund a high-voltage Tesla Coil to electrify learning experiences for all ages
- Tuesday September 2, 2025
The Science Center of Iowa (SCI) has been awarded a $15,000 Community Betterment Grant from Prairie Meadows, to electrify its STEM Education Program with the addition of a new ArcAttack Medium-Sized Tesla Coil that will make science more immersive, accessible and unforgettable for students and families alike.
This dynamic project will integrate high-voltage, high-energy demonstrations into SCI’s Adventure Theater, turning complex scientific concepts like electromagnetism and wireless electricity into thrilling live experiences. Through sparks of lightning and music played through electricity, the Tesla Coil will capture the imagination of visitors while deepening their understanding of STEM topics and inspiring future careers in science and technology.
“At SCI, we believe in the power of hands-on learning to spark curiosity and break down barriers to STEM education,” said Curt Simmons, President and CEO of the Science Center of Iowa. “This grant allows us to bring cutting-edge technology to the forefront of our programming and create experiences that inspire every learner—especially those who might not otherwise have access to high-tech science.”
With this investment, SCI is taking another step toward closing the STEM opportunity gap and ensuring that all learners—regardless of where they live—have the chance to engage with science in a way that’s exciting, memorable, and deeply meaningful.
About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given more than $2.3 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.
About the Science Center of Iowa
The Science Center of Iowa engages and inspires Iowans along their journey of lifelong science learning. The 110,000-sq. ft. facility located in Downtown Des Moines features dynamic experience platforms, large format theaters and daily interactive science demonstrations, including the NAEYC-accredited SCI Preschool. The Science Center of Iowa also provides educational outreach programs across the state of Iowa. For more information, visit www.sciowa.org.