In this inspiring episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Beth Demke, CEO of North Dakota’s Gateway to Science, to discuss how a grassroots idea grew into a 43,000-square-foot science hub serving over 130,000 people annually. Beth shares how passion, community support, and good old-fashioned organization turned a former shoe store into a state-of-the-art learning center where kids, adults, and even seniors engage with hands-on STEM education. From mobile STEM zones to joyful preschool programs, the mission is clear: science should be joyful, accessible, and community-powered.
💡 Sparking Lifelong Curiosity with Purpose and Partnership
Gateway to Science goes beyond exhibits. They provide statewide mobile programming, interactive lab spaces, and adult-only STEM nights, making sure curiosity doesn’t retire at any age. With deep ties to education, healthcare, and industry, their funding strategy combines public-private partnerships, thoughtful growth, and a powerful commitment to impact. Beth emphasizes the “perfect partnership” between scientists and organizers as key to their decades of success, and to a future that includes possible expansion. The vision? Keep joy at the center of learning, and lead with empathy, passion, and fearless change.
🔗 Learn more about North Dakota's Gateway to Science:
Website: https://gatewaytoscience.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gateway-to-science-center-inc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gatewaytoscience
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatewaytoscience/
X: https://x.com/gateway2science
👤 Connect with Beth Demke on LinkedIn
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