Wondering what it takes to change the world? Right here, at the Gates Foundation Visitor Center, you can find some inspiration. This center stands just a few blocks from the Seattle Center.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center is filled with interactive exhibits. These exhibits challenge you to think about some of the world’s toughest problems. The center is designed to educate. It also inspires you to think about global challenges.
The Gates Foundation Visitor Center serves as the “front porch” of the Gates Foundation. It connects with the public. It involves them in the work being done. Several rooms feature multimedia experiences. They showcase the history of the foundation. They also show the kind of work it does around the world.
Bill and Melinda Gates, along with Bill’s dad William H. Gates, created the Gates Foundation. In 1997, Bill read an article. It was about dirty drinking water killing millions of children. He sent it to his dad with a note. It said, “Dad, maybe we can do something about this.” From that, an idea was born. It has simply grown and grown. Bill Gates left Microsoft in 2008. He wanted to work with the foundation full time. The foundation now has an endowment of over 41.3 billion dollars. Gates himself donated 28 billion dollars.
Inside this Visitor Center, you can explore the foundation’s many initiatives. They tackle clean drinking water. They also address about a hundred other important topics. These topics are both regional and global. The Foundation provides grants to thousands of associations each year. They support a wide range of causes. These range from inventing a better toilet to curing malaria. The foundation supports Seattle area food banks. It improves agricultural practices worldwide.
The Visitor Center itself is fun and interactive. Stations let people learn about issues. You can develop your own solutions. You can even make pledges of service. The center invites you to get involved. It doesn’t just show you what it’s doing.
One eye-catching exhibit is a massive moving conveyor belt. It stretches up at least two stories. It lists all the grants the foundation has made.
Another cool feature is the high-tech photo booth. It captures high-resolution pictures of visitors. It displays them in a montage on the wall. Interactive kiosks let people post messages. They can also create interactive posters. They can share these on Facebook.
The exhibits use tactile interfaces. Large wooden cylinders help navigate interactive screens. This makes the technology more approachable. Visitor research shows that engagement is key. Movement helps people retain information.
Before visiting the center, many people only know about the Foundation’s efforts. They work to eradicate malaria in Africa. They also try to end polio. It’s interesting to see that the Gates Foundation also helps end family homelessness in Washington State.
Admission is free. You can drop in any time the Gates Foundation Visitor Center is open. No reservation is required. There is a parking structure adjacent to the visitor center. You can add your photo to the wall before you leave. There are “I Care About…” signs. You can hold them up to show your support for a cause.
The real message of the Gates Center is clear. You don’t have to be a billionaire to effect change. Every little bit can help.