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UW-La Crosse's Prairie Springs Science Center gets approval to move forward

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, October 28th 2025 at 23:20 GMT by News 8000
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Prairie Springs Science Center Gets Green Light for Expansion, UW‑La to Lead the Charge

The Prairie Springs Science Center (PSSC), a local beacon of STEM education, has received formal approval to advance its ambitious expansion plan, marking a pivotal moment for the community and its future generations. In a unanimous vote held on Tuesday at the Prairie Springs City Hall, the city council gave the green light to a $5.5 million project that will enlarge the center’s footprint, introduce cutting‑edge laboratories, and deepen the partnership with UW‑La, the University of Washington’s local affiliate.

A Vision for the Future

The PSSC has long served as a hub for inquiry-based learning for students in grades K‑12 and adults seeking lifelong learning opportunities. Founded in 2012, the center’s mission has been to spark curiosity and foster scientific literacy through hands‑on exhibits, maker spaces, and outreach programs. Over the past decade, the center’s attendance has surged, drawing visitors from surrounding towns and bolstering local tourism.

With the new expansion, the center will add 12,000 square feet of space, including a state‑of‑the‑art robotics lab, a maker‑space with 3D printers and laser cutters, and a dedicated area for environmental science projects that leverages the nearby prairie ecosystems. The design also incorporates a flexible classroom wing that can accommodate up to 200 students for workshops, presentations, and teacher professional development.

“The PSSC is already a cornerstone of our community,” said City Councilmember Maria Ruiz, who chaired the meeting. “This expansion will transform it into a regional STEM hub that attracts visitors from across the state, supports our schools, and gives our students a platform to experiment, innovate, and thrive.”

UW‑La’s Role

UW‑La, which has partnered with PSSC for the past three years, will serve as the project’s academic lead. The university’s STEM faculty will help design curriculum aligned with the new labs, and its research grants will support pilot projects in areas such as bioinformatics, renewable energy, and data analytics. UW‑La’s involvement is expected to bring advanced resources and expertise that the center would otherwise be unable to provide.

“Collaboration with UW‑La is a win‑win for Prairie Springs,” noted Dr. Elena Kline, associate professor of environmental engineering at UW‑La. “We’ll bring our research strengths and students into the community, while the PSSC will give our students real‑world contexts to apply their knowledge. It’s a synergy that benefits everyone.”

Funding and Timeline

The project’s funding will come from a mix of sources. The city council’s approval will unlock a $1.2 million grant from the State Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research program, earmarked for the robotics and maker‑space components. Additionally, the PSSC is pursuing a $2.8 million contribution from the Prairie Springs Foundation, a nonprofit that supports education and community initiatives. The remaining $1.5 million will be raised through a combination of fundraising events, corporate sponsorships, and a small community bond measure.

According to the city’s chief engineer, construction is slated to begin in late summer, with a projected completion date of spring 2026. During the build, the PSSC will operate out of its existing facility, ensuring that programming remains uninterrupted for the academic year.

“We’re excited to see the center evolve,” said PSSC Director Jonathan Pierce. “The expanded facilities will allow us to offer more hands‑on learning experiences, host regional conferences, and create a pipeline for STEM talent that will feed our local workforce.”

Community Impact

Beyond education, the expansion is expected to stimulate the local economy. The center’s increased visitor traffic will benefit nearby restaurants, shops, and lodging establishments. A study commissioned by the city’s economic development office estimates that the expanded center could generate up to $500,000 in annual tourism revenue and create 30–40 new jobs, from lab technicians to event coordinators.

Residents have voiced enthusiasm for the project. “I’ve seen kids in our schools come home with ideas for science projects after visiting the center,” said longtime Prairie Springs resident Marjorie Lang. “This will give them the tools to pursue those ideas and perhaps inspire some of them to study STEM in college.”

Next Steps

With the approval in hand, the next phase involves finalizing the design plans and securing the necessary environmental and zoning permits. The city council will release the full project proposal, including the environmental impact assessment, to the public by the end of next month.

In addition to the official documents, interested parties can view the project’s preliminary design renders and stakeholder interview summaries on the PSSC’s website, which now hosts a dedicated portal for the expansion initiative.

The partnership between Prairie Springs and UW‑La marks a significant step forward for the region’s commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. As the community looks ahead, the new center promises to serve as a launchpad for curiosity, innovation, and economic vitality, ensuring that Prairie Springs remains a place where curiosity meets opportunity.