Cosmosphere partners on space-themed projects for youth development
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — The Cosmosphere International SciEd Center and Space Museum announced two major partnerships this week aimed at expanding educational opportunities for Kansas youth through space-themed programming.
The Hutchinson-based space museum revealed Tuesday it is collaborating with the Greater Wichita YMCA on a space-themed climbing structure for the new Hutchinson YMCA facility, scheduled to open in 2026. The fully customized climbing structure will be built by Boss Display and prominently featured in the YMCA's Family Center.
"We're very enthusiastic to collaborate with the Cosmosphere to provide Hutchinson-area families with a unique feature that will most certainly deliver the 'wow factor,'" said Ronn McMahon, president and CEO of the Greater Wichita YMCA.
The Cosmosphere plans to launch a fundraising campaign in the coming weeks to support the project, which will combine physical activity with STEM exploration for children of all ages.
Construction of the 75,000-square-foot Hutchinson YMCA began in January at the intersection of 20th Street and Lorraine. The facility will include an aquatics center, indoor track, gymnasium, expanded gymnastics center and fitness center.
Separately, the Cosmosphere announced Monday the launch of the Ad Astra STEAM Academy in partnership with Ad Astra Academies and USD 313. The program offers Kansas high school students a four-year elective course plan combining virtual instruction with weekly hands-on labs at the Cosmosphere.
The academy, designed for students in grades 9-12, focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics through real-world aerospace challenges. Students will have access to dual-credit opportunities through Kansas State University Salina, Hutchinson Community College and WSU Tech.
"The hybrid model allows students to maintain full-time virtual enrollment through Ad Astra Academies while also benefiting from hands-on learning at the Cosmosphere," according to the academy's announcement.
Jim Remar, president and CEO of the Cosmosphere, said both partnerships reflect the museum's commitment to community engagement.
"To be a small part of this project is quite an honor for the Cosmosphere," Remar said of the YMCA collaboration. "I am very proud of the partnership that we have developed with the YMCA."
The Cosmosphere houses the second-largest collection of U.S. space artifacts after the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, plus the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside Moscow.
Applications for the STEAM Academy are now open with limited space available. The Greater Wichita YMCA serves more than 300,000 people across Butler, Harvey, McPherson, Reno and Sedgwick counties.
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