RCCF Awards $25,000 Grant to Support Exhibit Design at Kids Discovery Factory

RCCF awarded the check during the closing ceremony of the 2026 STEAM Camp

Kids Discovery Factory is excited to announce it has received a $25,000 grant from the Ripley County Community Foundation to support the design and fabrication of key exhibits in the region's future children's museum.

The grant will fund the creation of detailed construction and fabrication plans for three custom-designed exhibit experiences that will become centerpiece attractions within the museum. Supported projects include the Pollinator Tree House and the two-story Bee Hotel in the Honey Factory gallery, along with the Wood Workshop in the Assembly Floor gallery.

While visitors will eventually see these exhibits as immersive places to climb, explore, build, and imagine, each experience begins with thoughtful design and engineering. This funding makes it possible for exhibit designers to transform creative concepts into detailed plans that ensure every element is safe, durable, educational, and engaging for children of all ages.

“This grant allows us to move from vision to reality by creating the detailed fabrication plans that local builders can use to bring these one-of-a-kind learning experiences to life. We are incredibly grateful to the Ripley County Community Foundation for investing in the future of playful learning in our region," said Executive Director, Emili Uden.

The Honey Factory gallery introduces young learners to the fascinating world of bees and pollinators while exploring themes of teamwork, manufacturing, and our connection to the natural world. Children will climb through a giant Pollinator Tree House, discover the important role native pollinators play in our ecosystem, and explore a towering two-story Bee Hotel inspired by habitats that support solitary bees.

In the Assembly Floor gallery, the Wood Workshop will give children opportunities to design, build, and create using real tools and hands-on construction materials. The exhibit encourages problem-solving, creativity, perseverance, and confidence while introducing families to the craftsmanship and woodworking traditions that have helped shape southeastern Indiana's manufacturing and hardwood lumber industries.

The Ripley County Community Foundation grant represents another important milestone as Kids Discovery Factory continues transforming its historic downtown Batesville building into a regional destination for hands-on learning. Once complete, the museum will feature interactive exhibits that celebrate how "things are made here" while inspiring the next generation of innovators, makers, and problem-solvers.

Community members interested in helping bring these exhibits to life can learn more about sponsorship opportunities and the museum's capital campaign by contacting Kids Discovery Factory at info@kidsdiscoveryfactory.org or visiting www.visitkdf.org.