Science on the Scoreboard

The Zone

Kickoff at Northwest Arena

When RWS Global set out to bring The Zone to life, they turned to Boss Display as the primary fabricator for the entire 6,000 sq ft gallery. Having built the lobby exhibits the year before, we were a natural fit for the next step. Located on the main floor of Northwest Arena, The Zone is an indoor sports-themed play space for toddlers through pre-teens, designed to blend sports, science, fitness, and fun. With ADA-accessible equipment and inclusive design throughout, it’s a space where kids of all abilities can get in the game.

 
 

The interactive transport truck collects balls representing grain and provides an engaging feedpoint for the rest of the journey of grain.

The combine introduces guests to the grain harvesting process. Visitors can collect their grain and send it through the overhead tubes to the rest of the gallery.

The real life tractor serves as an interactive centerpiece to the farming area.

 
 

Highlights From the Field

The experience begins in the Locker Room, where kids create their player profiles before making a grand entrance through the players tunnel with chasing team colors, announcing their name as they enter. From there, they can measure their jumps, reach, and reflexes at sensor-driven athletic stations, go head-to-head in arcade-style games and races, and experiment at hands-on STEAM exhibits that encourage building and problem-solving. With every scan of their wristband, kids watch their own sports highlights, while their scores and profiles light up the Jumbotron.

 
 

Distribution tubes show the commercial delivery of grain to the end users.

The grain dryer, bins and distribution tubes simulate real life practices in the processing of grain.

Each and every station has carefully currated hands-on experiences for guests to get involved with the process.

 
 

Full-Court Coordination

A project of this scale required that our team work in close coordination with AV partners Cortina Productions and Electrosonic Inc. Dozens of interactive exhibits communicate across the 6,000 sq ft space, all tied into a single RFID wristband system that tracks each guest’s progress throughout the gallery. Every exhibit needed to connect seamlessly, from user profiles to live scores to the central Jumbotron. To make it happen, we managed the relationships and coordination among every fabrication team and the client from start to finish, keeping everyone on the same playbook.

 
 
“Boss Display is world class. You are going to get a quality product. They are going to work with you to see your vision through from start to finish. Boss Display certainly has Northwest Arena and the Zone’s highest recommendation.”
— John Kinder Program Coordinator, The Zone
 
 

Crossing the Finish Line

The result is a cohesive, high-energy space where families learn through play, and a proud continuation of our partnership with RWS Global and Northwest Arena. Along with its interactive exhibits, The Zone hosts educational programming, birthday parties, and special events, making it a true hub where the community comes together to play, learn, and celebrate. From the first wristband scan to the final buzzer, The Zone shows what’s possible when science, sports, and teamwork come together, and we’re proud to have helped build it.

 
 

Client Testimonial

Features:

  • Locker Room | Kids scan their RFID wristbands at interactive touch screens to create a player profile, complete with camera photos and LED-lit lockers that bring their sports persona to life.

  • Tunnel Experience | A swipe of the wristband at the entrance sets off synchronized lights and sound, giving every player a grand entrance into the gallery.

  • A Real Home Run | Kids guide sports-ball beads along a wire maze built into the countertop of the Dugout Bullpen benches.

  • Light Bright / Now You See It | This dual-purpose display lets kids light up patterns by placing colored rods into backlit holes or drop balls through the top to discover which path they take.

  • Whack-a-Bat | Kids grab a bat handle to start a timed challenge, racing the countdown clock to strike LED ring sensors as they randomly light up.

  • Broad Jump | After checking in at an RFID kiosk, kids perform a standing long jump while optical sensors measure and score their distance.
    Reaction Time | Kids swipe their wristbands and test their reflexes by hitting 15 illuminated buttons as fast as they light up.

  • Invent-a-thon | Kids attach custom targets to a vertical post array with cinch straps, creating an ever-changing testing challenge.

  • Vertical Leap | After a wristband swipe, kids jump to press the highest button they can reach, comparing their standing reach to their jumping reach with LED feedback.

  • Oversized Hoops | Kids shoot basketballs through extra-large hoops for an easy, confidence-building shooting experience.

  • Pop-a-Shot Hoops | This classic arcade-style game challenges players to sink as many baskets as possible before time runs out, with sensors and electronic displays tracking every point.

  • Jumbotron | The central screen showcases player profiles, live scores, and gallery-wide game media for everyone to see.

  • The Great Race | Kids race against each other or the clock, with interactive tracking and displays showing who crossed the finish line fastest.

  • Scavenger Hunt | Kids explore the gallery to find hidden items and answer questions tied to exhibits throughout the space.

  • Climber Integration Components | Built-in structural supports, safety padding, and tie-ins keep the climbing areas secure so kids can climb with confidence.

  • Ball Buddies | Sports-themed play pieces give the youngest visitors hands-on, tactile fun throughout the space.

 
 

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