For Immediate Release: January 29, 2025
Contact:
Martina Hahn-Baur
(573) 212-4535
Kaleidoscope Discovery Center
609 N. Rolla Street
Rolla, Missouri 65401
Kaleidoscope Discovery Center Named Taste of the South’s Missouri Charity of the Year
Rolla, MO — The Kaleidoscope Discovery Center announced today that it has been selected as the Taste of the South’s Missouri Charity of the Year and will be formally recognized during the Taste of the South Annual Gala on July 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Taste of the South selects one nonprofit from each Southern state to benefit from its nationally attended gala. As Missouri’s chosen charitable partner for 2026, the Kaleidoscope Discovery Center will receive support to expand statewide STEM access programming, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and strengthen outreach for rural and underserved students.
Taste of the South’s contribution will enhance several of the Kaleidoscope’s flagship youth programs, including:
• DiscoverE Future City Competition
• FIRST® LEGO® League, FIRST® Tech Challenge, and the FIRST® Robotics Competition
• STEM Next Teen Science Café Network
• After-school enrichment clubs
• STEAM field trips
• Winter, spring, and summer break camps
“Taste of the South is proud to partner with the Kaleidoscope Discovery Center and support the incredible work they do for students across Missouri,” said Ryan Viessman, Vice Chairman of Missouri’s Taste of the South Committee. “Their commitment to expanding access to hands-on STEM education reflects the spirit of innovation and opportunity we champion through our charitable mission.”
“The Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to see the Kaleidoscope Discovery Center selected as one of the organizations supported through this year’s Taste of the South efforts,” said Stevie Kearse, Executive Director of The Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce. “Kaleidoscope plays an important role in sparking interest in STEM education and hands-on learning for students and families in our region. Recognizing organizations like Kaleidoscope helps shine a light on the importance of STEM education and the role it plays in building strong communities and a future-ready workforce.”
About Taste of the South
Taste of the South is a charitable organization founded in 1983 by young professionals from Southern states living in Washington, D.C. Its annual gala raises funds for selected charities across the region, providing meaningful support for organizations that reflect the culture, needs, and aspirations of their home states. More information is available at
www.tasteofthesouth.org.
About the Kaleidoscope Discovery Center
The Kaleidoscope Discovery Center is a non-profit STEAM education network, creating fun, interactive experiences that inspire a universe of endless possibilities. It provides opportunities that value science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through hands-on learning—encouraging imagination, exploration, and creation that influence a brighter tomorrow. Since its inception in 2012, more than 5,000 students have benefited from a range of local, regional, and national activities supported through the Kaleidoscope.
For more information, visit www.thekaleidoscope.org.
Press Contact
Martina Hahn-Baur
(573) 212-4535
martina@thekaleidoscope.org
www.thekaleidoscope.org
X: @The_KDC_Rolla
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