The Reach: Engaging the curious
2017 was a remarkable year for the REACH. In April, I was hired as its new executive director to cultivate healthy relationships with our stakeholders, design engaging programs, and build a sound plan for sustainability. As a Washingtonian reared in Yakima, I feel honored to serve and position the REACH as an indispensable educational center and premier cultural destination that serves as a springboard for experiential engagement throughout the Mid-Columbia.
We know that aspiration goals like these take vision, financial resources, and an enthusiastic team to achieve. Working together with the staff, the Richland Public Facilities District, the REACH Foundation and the community ensures that we operate efficiently and have ample resources to fulfill our mission and serve our visitors for years to come.
In 2018, our focus will be on Education, Exhibitions and Engagement.
Our Education team provides learning programs, outreach, teacher training and curricula that complement Next Generation Science Standards with a concentration on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) for middle school students and their families. These popular programs will return:
▪ Energy Experience
The Energy Experience, a STEM-focused energy and environmental summit for 600 8th graders.
In collaboration with the City of Richland and local energy partners, we aim to create awareness about energy generation, safety, efficiency, conservation and public power. The one-day event includes interactive booths and maker space on hydropower, nuclear, wind, solar, and natural gas resources.
▪ Screech at the REACH
We partner with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife to talk about the spooky myths of animals of our region and the truths behind them! Last year in the Hoch Gallery, we focused on birds of prey. This year in October, it will be bats and more!
Our Exhibition team has added more rotating exhibitions with integrated hands-on activities. This year you can look forward to special exhibitions on Migratory Fish of the Columbia River, Butterfly & Moths from the Collection of Dr. Rod Coler, Bats, and Model Trains, and more.
Attendees can learn on several levels, including our newly designed website (where more information and a calendar of events can be found), amped up social media, and specialty tours. Last year the REACH had 6,965 guests from cruise lines alone, with 900 going out to the Hanford B Reactor. In 2018, we will continue our partnership with American Cruise Line and Shore Excursions of America to be host to visitors from down the street and around the world.
As an epicenter for STEM, heritage, and eco-tourism, the REACH will offer a robust tour schedule in addition to school tours, which are available year-round. Here’s our 2018 lineup:
April 12 Cold War Bus Alphabet House Tour
April 14 Rattlesnake Mountain Erratics and Wildflower Hike
April 20 Western Scablands of the Ice Age Floods
May 5 Wallula Gap Hike
May 18 Flood Features of Pasco Basin & Othello
June 2 Tri-City Geology Tour
June 15 Eastern Scablands
June 23 McBee Hill Hike
July 12 Visit Small Town USA NEW!
July 20 Dry Falls & Lower Grand Coulee
Aug. 9 Foodie Tour NEW!
Aug. 11 Coyote Canyon Mammoth Dig & the Ice Age Floods
Sept. 6 Vineyards & Winemaking
Sept. 14 Southern Cheney-Palouse Scablands & Palouse Falls
Sept. 15 Hops to Bottle
Sept 22 Cold War Bus Alphabet House Tour
Thanks to a grant from the City of Richland, we have more marketing dollars to advertise regionally and promote the REACH, programs, and specifically its tours centered on agriculture, geology and local history. We welcome you to visit and bring along your curiosity.
This story was originally published April 2, 2018 at 2:40 PM with the headline "The Reach: Engaging the curious."