Detroit, Mich., June 6, 2023 – The Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) and Toyota Motor North America are delighted to announce a partnership that will extend Mi-Sci’s renowned state-wide Aramco Traveling Science Program (TSP) to ten additional counties this summer and fall. The first of these events will take place at the Ypsilanti District Library on June 10th from 2- 4 p.m. Registration is not required to attend this event.
The partnership stems from Mi-Sci’s mission to put Michigan residents at the center of science by extending its reach outside its facility and bringing interactive programs into community spaces throughout the state. In honor of Mi-Sci’s 10-year anniversary in 2023, the Center sought support to expand their popular outreach program to 10 new counties in the state, as part of their Powers of 10 campaign.
“It’s been amazing to see our Traveling Science Program continue to grow in popularity,” said Dr. Christian Greer, President and CEO. “With generous support from Aramco Americas, and now Toyota Motor North America, we can broaden our reach and elevate our impact as we help to foster a love of STEM in students and families across Michigan.”
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Michigan Science Center to bring the Traveling Science Program to new communities and inspire the young minds of Michigan,” said Dave Sawin, vice president of Body Design at Toyota Motor North America and board member of Mi-Sci. “By investing in education and empowering the next generation of innovators, we hope to help build a brighter future for our state and beyond.”
Since its launch in 2014, Mi-Sci’s TSP has delivered high-energy science education to over half a million people in schools, libraries, and community centers in Metro Detroit and across the state. With the help of these local partners, TSP has reached 58 of Michigan’s 83 counties over the last six years. The final list of counties included in this expansion has not yet been determined. Stay tuned for a second press release, which will detail Mi-Sci’s finalized travel plans and participating schools.
The program’s activities are designed to inspire children and adults to “See Yourself in STEM”. Toyota employees will join Mi-Sci educators in guiding the participants through the activities and explaining the science concepts of each station.
SCIENCEPALOOZA, for instance, includes ten hands-on activity stations, each featuring a prominent scientist. Participants learn about these scientists’ careers and accomplishments, helping them envision the possibilities STEM can offer. Example activities include:
Gravity Fail: Participants will learn about Gitanjali Rao, a nano-scientist and inventor who, at just ten years old, became fascinated with ways to measure lead content in water during the Flint water crisis.
She later invented Tethys, a device that uses carbon nanotubes to relay water quality information via Bluetooth.
Food Web Jenga: This activity features Bridget Coughlin, a PhD biochemist and Aquarium CEO who oversees research programs in the Great Lakes and Bahamas. Her team of over 15 PhD and medical veterinary staff are dedicated to conducting research and medical care to help keep our planet blue.
About Toyota Motor North America
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships. Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 22 electrified options. Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
About The Michigan Science Center
The Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) is a Smithsonian affiliate that inspires nearly 250,000 curious minds of all ages every year through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) discovery, innovation and interactive education in Detroit and across Michigan. As a STEM hub, Mi-Sci focuses on developing and introducing expanded education programs, exhibits and initiatives to empower and enrich our children and community. Through their Traveling Science Program and distance learning initiative, ECHO Live!, Mi-Sci is expanding beyond its Detroit-based facility, with a goal of reaching all 83 counties of Michigan. With the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater, live science demonstrations, lab activities and 220+ interactive exhibits, there are dozens of ways to customize your Mi-Sci visit. The Michigan Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not receive funding from Detroit or the state of Michigan. For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, Mi-Sci.org.