STEM Spaces
local spaces for learning & Making
Have an STEM event to share?
Bonneville Dam & Hatchery
Rangers and volunteer staff at the visitor centers offer tours and answer questions about hydroelectric power, dam construction, life-cycles of salmon, and more. There are also park ranger maintained educational geocaches on the Oregon and Washington side. Website
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
Interpretive museum featuring cultural and natural history exhibits, native plant nature walks, and a live raptor program.
Hood River County Library
Makerspace with regular programming & STEM Family Kits available for checkout.
Goldendale Observatory
Free presentations include outdoor telescope viewing and indoor classroom sessions at Maryhill Stonehenge Visitor Center.
Gorge Makerspace
Open studio time on Tuesdays and Thursdays and several topic-specific summer camps. Also runs in-school programs. Located in White Salmon.
National Forests
Mt. Hood National Forest (Hood River County) and Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Klickitat, Skamania). Go camping, hiking, or visit a ranger station to learn more about nature and science.
The Dalles Dam
Visitor center features a variety of interactive displays, a short film on the benefits and impacts of the dam, and more.
The Dalles-Wasco County Library
Makerspace with digital fabrication tools including: laser printer, laser etcher, and more. Hands on activities for young children and STEM programs for many ages. Numerous STEM Family Kits and technology resources for educators.
WAAAM
Museum in Hood River featuring one of the largest collections of still-flying antique aeroplanes and still-driving antique automobiles.
Wonderworks Children's Museum
Exhibits and creative play spaces geared towards kids ages 0-8, but open to all ages. Located in The Dalles.