Discovery Park of America announced today that Origis Energy has contributed $50,000 toward a campaign that will raise money to update the museum and park’s Energy Gallery.
In April, Origis Energy, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Google, and Excelsior Energy Capital celebrated the completion of Skyhawk Solar, a 100 MW (MWac) project in Obion County located just minutes from Discovery Park.
Skyhawk Solar was developed under the TVA Green Invest program and contributes to TVA’s continued push to grow clean energy in its seven-state service territory.
“Since Discovery Park’s Energy Gallery was first designed more than a decade ago, much progress has been made in the energy sector, including creating low-cost, clean, reliable, renewable energy,” said Scott Williams, the museum’s president and CEO. “While there are many advancements, there seems to be a gap in helping the public understand the science behind and the importance of new initiatives like solar farms. We plan to create an exhibit that changes that for our 250,000 plus annual visitors.”
Natacha Standaert, Origis Energy Foundation Manager, said “Origis is very pleased to support the educational work at Discovery Park. Helping young people and their families understand how clean energy projects are shaping environmental and economic gains in the communities in which they are located is important. This knowledge will spark curiosity, contribute to a better understanding of the changing energy industry and helps students identify new career paths. The platform Discovery Park has created reaches thousands of families from a wide area around Skyhawk Solar. We invite others to join us in supporting the updated Energy Gallery initiative.”
This new initiative is just one of several ways Discovery Park is helping visitors explore the world around them. In March 2022, four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations were unveiled, allowing visitors to charge their vehicles while visiting the museum. The most recently opened permanent exhibit was “AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival.” It tells the story of farming innovation in the past, present—and especially—future. Another new permanent exhibit opening November 10, 2023, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway,” will include much about the importance of conserving, restoring, and managing wetlands and habitats for North America’s waterfowl.
Fundraising and research for the updated Energy Gallery has begun now, and the new exhibit will open at Discovery Park in early 2025.
