THE POWERHOUSE

GALLERY - In 2025, The Powerhouse continued to serve Southwest Colorado with engaging, hands-on, science-focused experiences while advancing plans for the future of our exhibits and spaces. Even as we look ahead, we remain deeply committed to delivering high-quality, interactive learning opportunities for the families we serve today. This year, we welcomed We Are Water, a new exhibit exploring water in the Four Corners region. On long-term loan, this exhibit will remain an offering in our space for years to come. Our calendar of programs also expanded, with continued success in our Parents Night Out events and the addition of more special event days. Notably, our Noon Years Eve celebration set a new attendance record, welcoming more than 500 visitors in a single day as we rang in the new year with a balloon drop at noon. Our early childhood programming saw strong growth, particularly in Toddler Enrichment Classes. We now offer a range of sessionsincluding gardening, art, music, dance, and yogadesigned to support development through play and exploration. In 2025, The Powerhouse reached a milestone of more than 1,000 member households, the highest in our history. We also welcomed a record 31,584 visitors through our doors, including children and families attending specialty events, field trips, birthday parties, and engaging in free exploration throughout the museum. Ensuring access remains central to our mission: through our Open Doors Initiative, approximately 7% of visitors participated through reduced-cost or free access programs, helping ensure that all families can experience The Powerhouse.

EDUCATION - In 2025, The Powerhouse continued to deliver engaging, hands-on science experiences to youth and families across Southwest Colorado through a combination of in-museum programming and expanded regional outreach. Building on the success of prior years, our educational offerings remained strong and consistent, with continued growth in participation and geographic reach. Our Camp Discovery program served over 650 students, providing high-quality STEAM learning opportunities both onsite and in surrounding communities. In addition to our Durango-based camps, we ran camps in Cortez, Pagosa Springs and on Fort Lewis Colleges campus, increasing access for families across the region. We also partnered with Durango Montessori to bring science education directly into the classroom, bringing our Powerhouse style of learning to students grades K-5. The San Juan Regional Science Fair, led by The Powerhouse through a partnership with San Juan BOCES, remained a cornerstone program inspiring curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry among local students. From the Science Fair, 15 students advanced to the State Science Fair, demonstrating the strength and potential of emerging scientists in Southwest Colorado. In collaboration with Durango School District 9-R, we also supported team-based STEM learning through Destination Imagination and FIRST LEGO League, helping create a more connected and comprehensive ecosystem of opportunities for young learners across the region. Together, these efforts highlight a strong network of partners committed to expanding access to high-quality STEM experiences. The Powerhouse remained committed to reducing barriers to participation through its financial aid program, ensuring that museum access, camps, and educational programming were available to families across Southwest Colorado regardless of financial circumstance. In 2025, financial assistance supported participation in Camp Discovery and other youth programs, helping ensure that cost was not a limiting factor for engagement in high-quality STEAM learning experiences. This support reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusion, and to creating meaningful opportunities for all learners in our community.