WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Science Spark has teamed with Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) to support the University’s Mind Trekkers traveling science festival as it heads out across America. The Mind Trekkers tour will culminate at the USA Science & Engineering Festival, supported by presenting host sponsor Lockheed Martin. The traveling festival offers children of all ages the opportunity to engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities. The first stop will be the National Scout Jamboree, July 15-24, 2013 at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia.
Mind Trekkers is a traveling scientific roadshow that uncovers the mysteries of science, technology, engineering and mathematics for students of all ages. Launched four years ago, Mind Trekkers activities and events help children and young people discover the excitement of interactive learning through dozens of games, activities, and experiments, including 3d cameras, tesla coils, hydrogen cars, and even the Diet Coke and Mentos trick.
Support for Mind Trekkers comes from Science Spark, a 501(c)3 non-profit science and technology outreach organization based in San Diego, California. Founded by serial entrepreneur Larry Bock, Science Spark creates the most compelling and well attended science festivals around the country. The five-stop Mind Trekkers tour will wrap up at the Science Spark created USA Science & Engineering Festival. The Festival takes place April 25 - 27, 2014 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. This free, nonprofit, event is the largest STEM outreach event in the world, and is filled with hands-on exhibits, experiments, concerts, and talks from leading technology entrepreneurs, Nobel Prize winning scientists, Hollywood celebrities, Fortune 500 CEOs, and many others.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to sponsor and partner with Michigan Tech’s groundbreaking Mind Trekker’s initiative,” said Larry Bock. “Supporting Mind Trekkers is a unique and positive way of taking the drive and energy of the USA Science & Engineering Festival directly to young people everywhere, promoting the importance of STEM for their future and the future of our nation.”
The Mind Trekkers first stop this summer will be in West Virginia where they will engage 50,000 Scouts, venturers, volunteers, and staff from all over the country in the wonders of science, technology and ideas. Held once every four years, the National Scout Jamboree is a chance for tens of thousands of scouts, parents and scouting supporters to camp out, try high-adventure activities, learn new skills, and enjoy the outdoors.
After the Jamboree, Mind Trekkers will travel to the Bay Area Science Festival, the Philadelphia Science Festival, and make a number of visits to schools and other key locations in the Washington, D.C. area in advance of the USA Science & Engineering Festival.
"One of the most important challenges of our time is interesting young people in pursuing science, technology, engineering and math education and careers," said Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz. "Mind Trekkers and the USA Science & Engineering Festival have developed a winning formula for doing just that and we're delighted they have decided to partner with our team to extend their reach nationwide."
ABOUT SCIENCE SPARK
Science Spark, is a 501(c)3 non-profit science and technology outreach organization based in San Diego, California. Originally founded in 2008 by serial entrepreneur Larry Bock, Science Spark creates the most compelling and well attended science festivals around the country, including the USA Science & Engineering Festival, which will next be held in Washington, DC, April 25-27, 2014.
ABOUT THE USA SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FESTIVAL:
The USA Science & Engineering Festival is the country’s only national science festival. It was developed to increase public awareness about the importance of science and to encourage youth to pursue careers in science and engineering by celebrating science in much the same way as we celebrate Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes and pop stars. Lockheed Martin is the presenting host sponsor of the Festival, a grassroots collaboration of over 500 of the leading science and engineering corporations in the United States. For more information, visit www.USAScienceFestival.org, connect with the Festival on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @USAScienceFest.
ABOUT MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY:
Michigan Technological University (www.mtu.edu) is a leading public research university developing new technologies and preparing students to create the future for a prosperous and sustainable world. Michigan Tech offers more than 130 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering; forest resources; computing; technology; business; economics; natural, physical and environmental sciences; arts; humanities; and social sciences.