FundraiserIgnite the Night

ELEMENTAL is a party in Exploration Place’s outdoor playscape featuring creative food and cocktails, live music, interactive science experiences, and a spectacular drone show — raising funds to expand STEM access for Wichita-area children.  This is a 21+ event.

• Socialize! This is a party with a great VIBE – come with friends or make new ones!
• Engage in live science – be a kid for the night! Set your hand on fire, play with electricity, observe 500 drones making formations overhead. ELEMENTAL and EP are going to leave you in AWE.
• Eat! There will be delicious food for everyone (we know because we’ve sampled everything!) Your taste buds will be excited by the passed appetizers, 4 entree stations, and desserts.  Make sure to sample the nitrogen frozen treat crafted by EP’s in-house scientists!
• Drink! Bars will be throughout the space with creative specialty cocktails and a full selection of premium alcohol and non-alcohol options.
• Listen! Live entertainment by a local band and DJ – you may feel so inclined to join in the beat!
• Be Generous! By participating in the silent auction, fund-a-need paddle raise, and chemist for the night experiment, we will collectively make a HUGE difference for Exploration Place and the people we serve.

Join us in IGNITING THE NIGHT for Exploration Place!

People like you – the movers and shakers of this town who want to make an impact in the community and in the STEM education of the next generation.

Think effortless style with an outdoor twist – flowy dresses, polished separates, sneakers or flats, jackets for a cool September evening. Choose footwear that’s ready for turf, walking and a night of celebration.

Yes!  There will be an elite selection of both local and Exploration Place specific silent auction items and experiences you can bid on. All bidding will be done online through the ClickBid app. You will be sent links to start bidding a week before ELEMENTAL.

No – we have friends that are far-reaching and would love to help support EP and win some of these exceptional experiences. You do not have to be present to bid and win!  Silent Auction closes at 8:50 pm

For $100 you can be a chemist for the night, and if your experiment has favorable results, you can win a myriad of fabulous prizes. All players are winners – but the true winner is Exploration Place! Our Fund-A-Need paddle raise will match your dollars with a specific need of Exploration Place. Give the gift of a class school field trip, sponsor a summer camp, or cover admission for a military or low-income family to visit Exploration Place.

Exploration Place has a large lot that will give priority to our VIPs – our sponsors and hosts.  We will have some additional space for ticket holders but there is also nearby parking at the Advanced Learning Library, the Keeper of the Plains east parking lot, the Mid-America All-Indian Indian Center, and on McLean Street. UBER and LYFT are also great options for ELEMENTAL attendees.

Yes, everyone is welcome and can easily access all paths of the Adventure Playscape.

This is a rain-or-shine party. If the weather does not allow us to party in the Playscape, then we’ll move the party indoors at Exploration Place. Please note that the drones cannot fly in precipitation; IF the drone show portion of the evening is canceled, then as an ELEMENTAL attendee you are granted access to any one of the three nights of Drone Show: September 25-27, 2026.

Should you not be able to attend, the price of your ticket will be converted into a tax-deductible donation for Exploration Place. No refunds will be issued.