Mission Infinity takes launch at Washington Pavilion

November 14, 2025

The years-long $1.3 million renovation of the Washington Pavilion Kirby Science Center is now complete.

MarketBeat and Dakota State University sponsor the Space and Technology floor, Mission Infinity, which was unveiled to the media on Thursday, November 13.

Dakota State President José-Marie Griffiths shared that the university was excited to have a role in exposing students to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) topics and careers.

"We saw an opportunity to extend our mission beyond our campus, to spark curiosity and learning among the next generation of scientists, technologists, and explorers," Griffiths said.

"This floor will open new ways for us to spark curiosity and creativity with everyone who walks through the doors of this floor," said Maddy Grogan, director of Education and Museums at Washington Pavilion.

The floor tells the story of space with five unique zones of activities, which are as follows:

• Build and launch your own rocket at Mission Control
• See Earth from above and explore satellite science
• Enter a Mars habitat and explore
• Scan deep space with high-powered telescopes
• Discover alien worlds and imagine life beyond our solar system

"Each zone is designed to make learning fun and meaningful," Grogan explained. "We are excited to open this space up to the community and continue to inspire lifelong learning and help children imagine a future full of possibility."

DSU Chief Technology Officer Brent Van Aartsen and student Jayden Kruse revived and reprogrammed a 2006 robotic arm that was previously used in a display at the Kirby Science Center. Kruse began researching the robotic arm, learning that the controller has a compiler for programming on it, Van Aartsen said.

Kruse then developed the program, interface, and web app. The arm is now a dynamic learning tool thanks to the dedication, ingenuity, persistence, and patience of Kruse and Van Aartsen, Griffiths said.

The collaborative efforts of the Pavilion, MarketBeat, Dakota State, and the city of Sioux Falls brought this vision, which started as a few short sentences in a proposal, to life, Grogan shared.

"It's wonderful to work with organizations that are supporting this floor that have a passion for STEM education and understand the importance of introducing kids to careers in those fields at an early age," Grogan said.

"This entire project is a great example of how public-private partnerships can and should work," said Darren Smith, President and CEO of the Washington Pavilion.

"Our partnership was rooted in a shared belief that lifelong learning begins with moments of discovery," Griffiths said. "Those moments often start right here. A spark of curiosity can lead to a lifetime of innovation."

MarketBeat Founder and CEO Matt Paulson (DSU alumnus '08, '09) echoed the sentiment, sharing that Sioux Falls is a special city that successfully brings businesses, non-profits, and government organizations together to complete projects for the community.

"The Kirby Science Discovery Center is a hub of activity for kids, parents, grandparents, tourists, and school groups alike, and we could not be more excited to get them in here in the coming months and years to get a chance to experience this new project," Smith said.

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