were attending college, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

The center is working to build interest by providing lesson plans and resources to teachers, drawing more people to the center and providing virtual opportunities to interact with the exhibits, Pringle said. For example, if a class can’t come to work in the additive manufacturing lab, students can view results via video.

As part of the effort, the foundation has set goals to boost in-person visits. Over the past 10 years, the Discovery Center has drawn 300,000 visitors. Within the first five years after reopening, the center expects to draw about 100,000 people on an annual basis, Pringle said.

She expects to see that growth as the center increases its outreach, the town draws new residents and the local space community continues to grow.

Colorado Springs has one of the largest concentrations of Space Force guardians and, Pringle said, she sees children of those service members coming through the Discovery Center with their parents.

“They’re so proud and they’re so excited to learn more about what space is all about,” she said.

At a new console, visitors can get a sense of what it’s like to pilot satellites from Earth, a core mission of the Space Force.

The military community is also heavily involved at the center. About 60% of the Space Foundation’s volunteers are retired military members, active-duty service members or the children of military families, said Zakary Watson, foundation spokeswoman.

To help fund the remodel, the Space Foundation is working to raise about $1 million. The work has garnered support from individuals, foundations such as The Anschutz Foundation and El Pomar Foundation, and companies such as Northrup Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

“We are just so grateful that it enables us to increase our impact,” Pringle said of those gifts.

While the center is expected to welcome visitors back potentially in April, volunteers hope to stay connected to the community as pen pals and through events, such as a family star party at the Meadows Park Community Center in December.

A free five-part online series called Audience with an Astronaut is ongoing. The online interviews are aimed at particular grade levels and are paired with lesson plans for those teaching in classrooms or at home.

More info is available at discoverspace.org.