The Southwest Voice

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Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind (BAM), a proposed public/private partnership for the Cal State Bakersfield campus, takes another step forward with a successful market feasibility study projecting 140,000 visitors annually at the envisioned educational 32,000-square-foot town square.

BAM is envisioned as a hands-on, interactive museum with indoor and outdoor exhibits focused primarily on the STEM areas (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) for children ages up to 12. BAM will provide activities and exhibits for families with younger children as well as an early childhood development area. It will also encourage junior high, high school and college students to participate in exhibit designs and docent experiences.

Jillian Fritch-Stump leads a large, diverse group of community leaders in planning the museum. The board includes heads of non-profit groups, educational administrators, teachers, doctors, business leaders, and representatives of age groups involved in the museum such as students, parents, and grandparents. BAM will be unique to California and will be the first youth museum located on a California State University campus.

ConsultEcon, Inc., an economic research and management consulting firm based in Massachusetts, recently completed a very favorable market feasibility study indicating that Bakersfield and the surrounding area of Kern County show great potential for the success of BAM. The firm researched the site of the museum for accessibility, visibility, parking, site size and quality, adjacent and nearby uses, and venue program to determine that the area location indicators were all favorable to the selection of the site. They also compared the project to similar museums and the Bakersfield market to similar markets to conclude the annual projected attendance of 140,000 visitors to support BAM. They also commented that most cities that are the size of Bakersfield provide facilities that meet the needs that will be addressed by BAM. The board was very encouraged by the results of the study and voted to move forward with the funding feasibility study in the near future.

The market feasibility report stated that “at BAM, the exhibits and programs would support growth in critical thinking, creativity and exploration. The combination of science, math, technology, and the arts in the interactive exhibits ranging from space, agriculture, wellness, fitness, and other rotating themes will be designed to draw on both the wonder of young visitors and the young at heart.”

The proposed site on the university campus will now be close to the proposed new baseball stadium, Bynum office buildings and possible future hotel/convention center, and bike path.  The proposed bike path would be a connecting route leading to the larger city-wide cycling path.

“The new proposed location on the CSUB campus couldn’t be better with the bike path, neighboring facilities and the corporate neighbors that exist on the parameter of the campus,” said Fritch-Stump.

The synergy created at this location will enhance the museum, offering students and their families a destination for multiple experiences — visiting the museum, touring the campus, and attending a baseball game. The demographics of the community show that the need for such a facility is great. Currently, families desiring to visit a science-focused museum must travel at least two hours to do so. The market feasibility study also stated that BAM would be a center of interest through out the entire San Joaquin Valley.

BAM has received wide support from the educational community and from industries in Kern County including space, public services, and commercial businesses. Cal State Bakersfield President Dr. Horace Mitchell has been a strong supporter of the project. He states, “Education is a partnership between school and family and community. The Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind Museum will strengthen that partnership and open doors for every child. Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind is an outstanding project that will bring an important educational experience to the community and our campus.”

Jean Jenner, a future visitor of the museum, speaks for the community: “I am so excited that Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind has been proposed. As a mother of two boys, I believe Bakersfield is a thriving, family-oriented community that is long overdue for an interactive, science museum. BAM will provide a nurturing fun-filled, intellectually engaging environment for our children, and our city will truly benefit from all of the programs BAM will offer.”

One of the next steps in planning the museum will be meeting with interested groups to design exhibits that reflect the diverse economy and industries of Kern County and will meet the learning standards established by the state. Meeting state standards will assure classroom field trips to the museum will not only be fun, but will also advance learning in areas being evaluated by current testing requirements.

In addition the exhibit planning, the capital campaign to fund the project will begin after Susan Pearce from Phillips and Associates completes a funding feasibility study in the near future. Susan was instrumental in assisting Cal State Bakersfield to raise support for converting into a Division I university.

BAM will enrich the lives of children and their families in our area. It will enhance educational experiences for schools and youth organizations. BAM is committed to involving multiple people and groups in the creation of innovative exhibits and exciting educational programs in the sciences, humanities and arts. Become involved. Your assistance in the planning stages of the museum with ideas for exhibits, assistance with securing funding, or offering your expertise can help create a facility that you will feel connected to and one that will create pride in our community.

To help create BAM, visit: www.bamforkids.org or call 327-KIDS.