In this inspiring episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Beth Demke, CEO of North Dakota’s Gateway to Science, to discuss how a grassroots idea grew into a 43,000-square-foot science hub serving over 130,000 people annually. Beth shares how passion, community support, and good old-fashioned organization turned a former shoe store into a state-of-the-art learning center where kids, adults, and even seniors engage with hands-on STEM education. From mobile STEM zones to joyful preschool programs, the mission is clear: science should be joyful, accessible, and community-powered.

💡 Sparking Lifelong Curiosity with Purpose and Partnership

Gateway to Science goes beyond exhibits. They provide statewide mobile programming, interactive lab spaces, and adult-only STEM nights, making sure curiosity doesn’t retire at any age. With deep ties to education, healthcare, and industry, their funding strategy combines public-private partnerships, thoughtful growth, and a powerful commitment to impact. Beth emphasizes the “perfect partnership” between scientists and organizers as key to their decades of success, and to a future that includes possible expansion. The vision? Keep joy at the center of learning, and lead with empathy, passion, and fearless change.

🔗 Learn more about North Dakota's Gateway to Science:

Website: https://gatewaytoscience.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gateway-to-science-center-inc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gatewaytoscience
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatewaytoscience/
X: https://x.com/gateway2science
👤 Connect with Beth Demke on LinkedIn

Want to be interviewed on our Business Ninjas podcast? Schedule time with us now, and we'll make it happen right away!

Check out WriteForMe, more than just a Content Agency!

See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel!

Over 30 Years of STEM Education Delivered With Joy | Business Ninjas: WriteForMe and North Dakota's Gateway to Science