Delta Dental Gathering Place and Comfort Zone Open at Impression 5 Science Center

9/26/23

LANSING — Today, Impression 5 Science Center, the Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) and Delta Dental of Michigan (DDMI) hosted a floss cutting to celebrate the grand opening of the Delta Dental Gathering Place and Delta Dental Comfort Zone.

“We are so excited to officially ‘cut the floss’ on the Delta Dental Gathering Place and Comfort Zone at Impression 5 Science Center,” said Erik Larson, executive director of Impression 5 Science Center. “This strategic project will positively impact our capacity to achieve our mission of providing meaningful STEM education experiences.”

The new Delta Dental Gathering Place will serve thousands of guests as a central location for school group orientations, school programming, group lunches, and meetings. The updated space has received significant enhancements, such as accessible seating for all, device charging locations, vending and more. This space is available for friends and families to enjoy a snack, take a break, or simply gather with each other.

The Impression 5 project teams have also created a sensory friendly space in the Dart Hall of Science for guests to use. The Delta Dental Comfort Zone offers a private space that offers dim lighting, sensory toys, white noise machines, seating, and more to guests who need a break from the possible excitements and sensory stimulus of the Science Center. It will also function as a private nursing space for parents and guardians to use as needed.

“These spaces also have an educational component,” said Holli Seabury, EdD, executive director of the DDF. “Signage and activities will help guests learn about healthy habits, such as drinking more water and brushing their teeth regularly, and the importance of taking a time out when you need it.”

For more information about the Delta Dental Gathering Place and Delta Dental Comfort Zone, which were funded in part by grants from the DDF and DDMI, contact Erik Larson.