EUREKA!: Using the Bike as a Tool for Discovery
At EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum in Grand Junction, Colorado, the impact of their work stretches far beyond the walls of the museum. While EUREKA! is best known for its hands-on science exhibits and STEAM learning, one of its most powerful programs happens outside - on two wheels.
Bikes as a Gateway to Learning (and So Much More)
A unique part of EUREKA!’s programming uses bicycles as a tool for discovery. Through afterschool rides, summer camps, and themed clinics, bikes are used as a tool for learning about physics, ecology, engineering, and even social-emotional skills!
In one signature program, “Gear Up!,” students ages 6–15 get hands-on experience in riding, leadership, and outdoor exploration. Whether it’s a beginner mountain bike clinic, an afterschool trail ride, or a multi-night expedition, the emphasis is on connection—between the student and the outdoors, the bike, and themselves.
Community-Driven and Equity-Focused
With support from Outride’s Community Impact Grant, EUREKA! has expanded their ability to serve more families in the Grand Valley by offering scholarships, supplies, and a trailer for their biking programs. These scholarships remove financial barriers and open the trail to kids who might not otherwise have access.
“In Grand Junction, we have a lot of families who experience socioeconomic struggles,” shared Erika Williams, Environmental Institute Director at the EUREKA!. “To have scholarships for a program like this is unbelievable! We want to expand opportunities to families who need it.”
EUREKA!’s approach is simple: if a student wants to ride, they’ll make it happen. No bike? No problem. No helmet, water bottle, or gear? Covered. They’ll even meet students at the trailhead with a trailer full of bikes and equipment—ready to ride.
And that trailer? It was custom-built by longtime volunteer, Nile, using repurposed materials and his own ingenuity. Designed to carry 18 bikes and extra gear, it even includes a small compartment called “Lucille”—a clever little home for loose wheels.
“Everything needs a home,” staff joked. “Even the loose wheels!”
Meeting Kids Where They Are
Whether it’s collaborating with Grand River Academy teachers to meet students after school or offering beginner clinics at the museum, EUREKA!’s focus is on accessibility and supporting kids’ growth.
“For the high-energy kids, biking gives them something positive to channel that energy into. And for the quiet ones, it can build confidence and offer a new way to express themselves,” Kelsey Wells, EUREKA!’s Co-Director of Education explained. “It’s amazing to see how biking works for such a wide range of students.”
And when students are ready for more, EUREKA! connects them to local partners like Little Bellas, The Cycle Effect, Bone Shakers, and Grand Valley Youth Cycling. These groups offer coaching, mentorship, and additional opportunities in the area to keep young riders moving forward.
Support and Connect
EUREKA! and Outride are proud to work together to share the joy and social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling. For EUREKA!, biking is more than a sport. It’s a science lesson, a confidence boost, a way to connect with the natural world, and a tool for building community.
Want to help? Share EUREKA!’s community spotlight post and support EUREKA!’s bike programs and scholarships by donating here.