Cedar Crossing Casino STEM Center Set to Blast Off With ‘Astronaut’ Exhibit

Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center is shooting for the stars with its debut exhibition at the property’s on-site STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) center. A promotional photograph shows a young girl experiencing “Astronaut,” an immersive exhibit that’s coming to Cedar Crossing Casino. The casino in Iowa is set to open in November 2026. (Image: Scitech) Set to open in November in Iowa’s Cedar Rapids, Cedar Crossing Casino is a $275 million project from Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E). The developers of the destination have always pledged that Cedar Crossing would be much more than a casino, but a place that would integrate with the community. Along with committing 8% of its annual gross gaming revenue to support nonprofit organizations in Linn County–far higher than the 3% state-mandated charitable requirement–Cedar Crossing includes a STEM lab with a dedicated entrance separate from the gaming floor. Cedar Crossing, which recently named the STEM lab the Compass Center, says the 5,000-square-foot facility will open with “Astronaut,” an immersive, interactive, and hands-on exhibition that explores the physical and mental challenges involved in space exploration. We want Cedar Crossing to be much more than a casino. The Compass Center is a big part of that,” said Aaron Gomes, president of P2E. “[Compass Center] gives us a chance to bring something completely different to Cedar Rapids,” Gomes continued. “An exhibit like [‘Astronaut’] can spark a child’s curiosity and inspire a lifetime of learning.” Space Program Scitech, a not-for-profit organization supported by the Western Australian Government, is bringing “Astronaut” to America’s heartland. Scitech says the program allows participants to experience what it’s like to sleep, eat, shower, and use the toilet in space. The exhibition combines teamwork in solving problems and performing tasks to overcome challenges such as communicating with mission control and safely landing a capsule. Visitors will experience the physical training astronauts must undergo, what space clothing feels like, and the simulated gravitational force (g-force) astronauts endure during launch. Scitech says “Astronaut” is tailored for children aged 5-12, but guests of all ages are welcome. Casino Details Cedar Crossing Casino is set to open next month with 700 slot machines, 22 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook. The casino will offer five bars and restaurants, including Clubhouse by Zach Johnson, a steakhouse concept developed alongside the Iowa native, who won the 2007 Masters and 2015 Open golf championships. Another non-gaming amenity at Cedar Crossing is the 1,500-seat Event Center. The concert hall already has several major country and Southern rock music acts booked, including Old Dominion (Dec. 5), The Marshall Tucker Band (March 13, 2027), and Trace Adkins (April 16, 2027). Notable stand-up performers booked for Cedar Crossing include Brooks Wheelan (Dec. 10), Steve-O (Dec. 12), Josh Blue (Dec. 17), Carlos Mencia (March 6, 2027), and Carrot Top (May 15, 2027). The post Cedar Crossing Casino STEM Center Set to Blast Off With ‘Astronaut’ Exhibit appeared first on Casino.org.