The Red River Gorge Discovery Zone (RRGDZ) popped up at the Red River Gorge Farmers Market in Slade, Kentucky on September 19th: to celebrate Constitution Week! Red River Gorge Discovery Zone (RRGDZ) is a pop-up discovery zone emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM), with activities for kids (of all ages) focused on the Red River Gorge, conservation, and local history.
Fifteen children and eight adults visited the Zone at the Sky Lift parking lot in Slade. The quill pen activity (run by Sandy Hall) taught the children how to make a quill pen using construction paper. They also decorated the quill pens. The children learned how the delegates used quill pens to sign the Constitution.
Karen Shearer led the invisible ink activity. She provided interesting facts about the signers of the Constitution. She explained how invisible ink works and had the young explorers sign their names with it. She gave them a special pen that allowed them to write in invisible ink and see the writing using the integrated flashlight.
The Constitution activity (run by Judith Wilson) taught the children some important historical facts about the Constitution (did you know that it was only four pages in length? and that it has only 4,543 words?) as well as the science behind its conservation (inert helium used in 1950 in a special encasement did *not* work out so well). The Red River Valley Chapter of the DAR provided each child with an American flag pin and a copy of the Constitution. The children also signed a commitment to read the Constitution.
Regina Mulcahy led the Constitution trivia activity. She quizzed the young explorers on interesting and little known facts about the Constitution. Zelma Lambert also helped as a volunteer.
The Welcome table (run by Lynne and Stacy Stidham) provided Discovery Zone stickers, season schedules, an overview of the activities being offered, and shared information on future RRGDZ events as well as information on Father Al Fritsch, the inspiration for RRGDZ.
Lillie, Tammy, and Josh Boyd assisted with tear down.
Funded by grants from TC Energy, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, and Powell County Tourism Commission, and supported by fiscal sponsors Community Partners of Powell County and Powell County Tourism, the all-volunteer effort includes other organizations and team members not listed above. Organizations/individuals who donated or loaned items to assist the Discovery Zone in the 2026 season include Sandy Hall, Suzanne Smith, DJ Ledford, Ovie Hollon, Regina Mulcahy, Maria Reed, David Davis, and Josh Davis. Father Al Fritsch, may he rest in peace, formerly of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Appalachia Science in the Public Interest, Society of Jesus, and formerly of Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church (Stanton) and of St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Ravenna), was the inspiration for the Discovery Zone.
Check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rrgdiscoveryzone/ and our website at rrgdiscoveryzone.com. Join us at our next event on October 31st at Callie’s Campground in Bowen!
About the Author
