Kids Discovery Factory Finds Permanent Home

Thanks to Batesville Tool & Die, KDF will have the opportunity to expand on its STEAM operations.

(Batesville, Ind.) – A local, long-time supporter of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics is helping a nonprofit organization to find its home.

After many years of hosting successful camps and regional school programs, Kids Discovery Factory (KDF) will finally have a permanent home.

Thanks to the creative vision and generosity of Batesville Tool & Die (BTD), KDF has the opportunity to move forward with plans to renovate an existing three-story building on Sycamore Street in downtown Batesville.

Once completed, the future home of KDF will be available for field trips and serve as a regional tourism destination, engaging kids from across southeastern Indiana in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).

BTD has always been a long-time supporter of KDF’s summer camps and hosted a Mobile Factory visit for employees’ families.

“We want the community to know Batesville Tool & Die is committed to STEAM. This is right up our alley in terms of what we do, the people we employ and the kids we can employ in the future,” says BTD President and CEO, Jody Fledderman. 

In the next 12 months, KDF hopes to complete renovation of the existing building and open phase one. 

These renovations will include installation of three floors of engaging exhibits that will provide hands-on experience with STEAM concepts. 

The phase two expansion into the neighboring lot will allow the addition of KDF’s largest exhibit areas.

“The partnership with Batesville Tool & Die allows us to bring our planning for a brick and mortar location to life. Their commitment to strengthening workforce development for regional manufacturers and improving quality of life for residents of southeastern Indiana is truly inspirational. We are thankful for the support of such visionary leaders,” says Amber McGuire, Executive Director of KDF.  

In seven years, KDF has hosted about 800 students in summer STEAM enrichment camps. More than 12,000 kids have been impacted by KDF traveling school exhibit program, Kids Discovery Mobile Factory. 

An estimated 30,000 annual visitors will increase to 50,000 once phase two opens. 

“In my opinion, this is one of the best giving opportunities that has come along for this community in a long time,” Fledderman continues.