Curiosity Cube to visit local schools; solar-powered mobile science lab sparks interest in STEM

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) sector is growing faster than any other in the U.S., yet there are more STEM opportunities than there are students to fill these positions.

With an expanding workforce that calls for more graduates to fill the pipeline, MilliporeSigma is engaging students in STEM learning through the Curiosity Cube™ mobile science lab. Science industry experts agree that these hands-on experiences are critical to sparking student interest in STEM careers.

MilliporeSigma’s Curiosity Cube™ mobile science lab is designed to spark scientific curiosity and passion early — paving the way to a future filled with innovative breakthroughs and encouraging students to pursue careers in STEM fields.

What is it?

• A 22x10-foot, retrofitted shipping container that has been transformed into a solar-powered mobile science lab.
• Features hands-on science experiments to spark interest in STEM.
• Utilizes advanced technology—such as virtual reality, augmented reality, high-tech microscopes, 3D printers and touchscreen TVs—to immerse students in a world of science.

Example experiences

• ­Discovering how quickly brains learn and adapt to the world around them, and how cells play a role.
• ­Utilizing microscope technology to view cells, learn about cell structures and match cell samples to human body organs.
• ­Using virtual reality to “shrink” to the size of a cell and complete a series of challenges.

Each experience takes about 3-4 minutes, and MilliporeSigma’s Curiosity Cube™ can accommodate approximately 100 visitors per hour.

The Curiosity Cube will be visiting students at Winship Elementary School in Spring and Creighton Elementary School in Conroe this week.