“Our mission here today, with our local scientists, is just to spark curiosity in that next generation,” said Curiosity Cube coordinator Audra DeMariano.
Sixth-grade students from Parkland Middle School gathered inside an open shipping container, leaning in with wide eyes and eager hands. This wasn’t just any container. It was MilliporeSigma’s Curiosity Cube, a traveling science lab packed with activities designed to spark interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
These students learned from local scientists as they tested self-driving robot cars, played brain games and explored how artificial intelligence shapes thinking through AI-generated content detection.
Since 2017, the Curiosity Cube has brought science to life for students ages 8–13, touring North America, Europe and Africa to deliver hands-on learning at schools, summer camps, museums and community events, helping kids connect classroom lessons to real-world experiences.
According to Wakefield Research, 64% of students want to be in a career that involves science, but 48% have a hard time imagining themselves as scientists, despite having a curiosity for the field.
Principal Aaron Shin expressed excitement about the Curiosity Cube visit, which has been inspiring student enthusiasm for STEM for several years.
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“This is an amazing opportunity for our students to engage in hands-on learning on topics that are relevant in today’s world,” said Shin. “It is great to see how excited our students are to work with local community members and further their STEM education in middle school, high school and beyond.”
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