Latest news with #CuriosityCube
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Science
- Irish Independent
Power cut cancels Wicklow school classes but Curiosity Cube saves day
Students who were destined for a day of learning at home were able to become scientists for the day at the Curiosity Cube, which is designed to make science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) accessible. The retrofitted shipping container came to Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir for the fourth year as part of a Europe-wide tour. The Life Sciences Volunteer team from Merck – the science and technology company driving the Curiosity Cube – reached out to the local community through WhatsApp and social media and invited other local schools, students, families and friends to work alongside Merck employees from Sigma-Aldrich Ltd, the primary centre for cGMP production of commercial and late-stage APIs and advanced intermediates. In total, 130 children from Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir, their families and other local primary schools enjoyed an interactive day at the Curiosity Cube. Throughout the visit, students from Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir and other local schools explored real-world science through three interactive experiments focused on the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI): image authenticity, pattern recognition and self-driving cars. These hands-on activities were designed to show students how STEM is all around them and to equip them with critical thinking skills needed for future careers. Site administrator for Merck's Sigma-Aldrich Ltd in Arklow, Sharon Kennedy, said: 'We love to have the Curiosity Cube back in Arklow every year, it means an awful lot to our local community and our colleagues that we are here every year visiting the schools. 'For four years and counting, the visit of the mobile science lab has always been making a big difference to not only us on site but also the students and the community in Arklow in general.' Despite the growing demand for STEM professionals, many students struggle to see themselves in these careers. A recent survey funded by Merck found that nearly half (48pc) of middle school students find it difficult to envision themselves as scientists, despite engaging in STEM-related activities every day. In 2024, the Curiosity Cube engaged more than 43,000 students across Europe and North America, visiting 14 countries and hosting 282 events. ADVERTISEMENT This year, the Curiosity Cube embarked on its fourth European tour, aiming to connect with 20,000 students via more than 130 events. Each stop on its tour is supported by employee volunteers who share their passion for science, providing students with real-world insights into STEM careers. 'Every student who walks into the Curiosity Cube walks away with a new way of looking at science,' Curiosity Cube coordinator Stefanie Rammer said. 'That spark of curiosity can make all the difference in shaping the scientists of tomorrow.'
National Post
24-04-2025
- Science
- National Post
Curiosity Cube 2025: MilliporeSigma's Mobile Science Labs Tour Globally to Bring STEM Education to Students
Article content Curiosity Cube tours North America, Europe, and for the first time, Africa Mobile science lab aims to reach 60,000 students in 19 countries Interactive lessons on artificial intelligence designed to spark students' curiosity in STEM Article content BURLINGTON, Mass. — MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today launched its global 2025 Curiosity Cube tour in Darmstadt, Germany. The solar-powered mobile science labs will bring hands-on STEM experiences to communities across North America, Europe, and for the first time, Africa. In 2025, the tour aims to reach 60,000 students worldwide. The initiative underscores the company's commitment to inspiring enthusiasm for science and technology. Article content Article content 'With technological advances and scientific breakthroughs reshaping the world, it has never been more important to inspire early interest in STEM careers and prove that science can be fun,' said Tim M. Jaeger, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer for the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. 'With the Curiosity Cube, we are breaking down barriers to science education by bringing hands-on experiments directly to students in their local communities. This year, our new AI-focused lessons offer students a glimpse into the future of technology, while making science accessible and showing children that science is exciting.' Article content As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform daily life and work, it's crucial that students understand how it functions – and how to use it responsibly. These early, hands-on experiences foster critical thinking and equip young people with the digital fluency they need to thrive in the future. In 2025, the Curiosity Cube introduces lessons on AI using a variety of learning tools and technologies, allowing students to explore: Article content Differences between AI-generated images and real photos to better understand digital authenticity. How AI learns through experience and pattern recognition – just like the human brain. Mechanics behind AI-powered self-driving cars through hands-on activities in machine learning. Article content The Curiosity Cube will make its debut in Africa on June 10, 2025, with 100 events planned across Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa. This expansion complements Merck's ongoing efforts to make science education more accessible and provide students around the world with interactive STEM learning experiences. Article content The seventh North American tour with 140 scheduled events will include visits to major cities across the U.S. and Canada, including Austin, Boston, Cleveland, Houston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Seattle, St. Louis, Toronto and more. Article content The Curiosity Cube's European tour will include more than 130 events, travelling to Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K. The Curiosity Labs™ STEM Center, which opened today in Darmstadt, Germany, builds on the Curiosity Cube initiative. The permanent facility provides local students with 11 interactive science lessons they can experience throughout the year and helps build the foundation for the next generation of scientists. Article content Article content To learn more about the Curiosity Cube and view the 2025 tour schedule, visit and follow @curiositycube_milliporesigma on Instagram. Article content The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 27,000 employees and more than 55 total manufacturing and testing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics. Article content Around 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2024, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21.2 billion in 65 countries. Article content The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark 'Merck' internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Associated Press
29-01-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Curiosity Cube Teaches More Than 43,000 Students About Sustainability
Celebrating its sixth annual tour, the Curiosity Cube from MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, traveled across North America and Europe during 2024 to fuel curiosity and discovery among visitors. The 2024 tour brought a new look, to the Curiosity Cube's exterior and new lessons focused on sustainability. With a new look and lessons, the goal of the Curiosity Cube remained the same: enhance access to science education and foster innovation in the next generation of scientists. Through 282 events, more than 43,000 students in 208 communities across 14 countries learned how they can impact the planet by making sustainable choices through hands-on experiments led by real-life scientists at MilliporeSigma. What does the Curiosity Cube have in store for 2025? Stay tuned for exciting news to come!
