Latest news with #CuriosityCube
Associated Press
23-06-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Curiosity Cube Debuts in Africa and Expands Global STEM Mission
After captivating students across North America and Europe with access to hands-on science, the Curiosity Cube from the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has launched its first-ever tour in Africa. To celebrate the inaugural tour, the Curiosity Cube held a kickoff event on June 10 at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Johannesburg. During the launch event, volunteers from UNISA and the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, guided a group of students through three interactive science experiments designed to spark interest in STEM. Mantile Lekala, Director for School of Science from UNISA, was excited to see such enthusiasm from the visitors, 'It was a privilege to witness the launch of the South Africa Curiosity Cube on our university campus today. This initiative opens the door to curiosity, discovery, and opportunity for a new generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem solvers, and we are proud to be a part of it.' This event marks the first of 12 planned events in Johannesburg and kicks off a broader tour that will span five countries in Africa. Through 100 events between June and November, the Curiosity Cube aims to reach over 15,000 students in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa. The expansion into Africa reflects the company's commitment to advancing STEM. 'Expanding the Curiosity Cube to Africa marks an important milestone,' said Jeffrey Whitford, Vice President of Sustainability and Social Business Innovation. 'The potential for the next generation of STEM minds is extraordinary. Our goal is to increase our impact in 2025 and beyond, creating more opportunities for the youth in Southern Africa to be curious and help support an environment full of the inspiration they need to pursue their dreams.' To learn more about the Curiosity Cube mobile science lab, visit and follow the Curiosity Cube on Instagram @curiositycube_milliporesigma. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from MilliporeSigma
Irish Independent
16-06-2025
- Science
- Irish Independent
Curiosity Cube brings Interactive AI to Cork schools
Merck Life Science recently brought its Curiosity Cube, a solar-powered, mobile science lab, to public events across Cork including a feature at the Cork Carnival of Science. This year's theme focused on Artificial Intelligence, with over 1,400 students and visitors taking part in hands-on experiments led by 45 Merck volunteers. Primary school students were afforded the opportunity to explore how AI is shaping the world around us through experiments and engaging demonstrations. Participating schools included Bunscoil Rinn an Chabhlaigh, Rushbrook; Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann, Midleton; Midleton CBS Boys Primary School; Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Carrigtwohill; and Scoil Chroí Íosa, Blarney. The Curiosity Cube offers young learners a unique opportunity to explore real-world science in a fun, engaging way, and this year's visit sparked incredible enthusiasm from both students and educators. Merck, a leading science and technology company, delivered an innovative, hands-on science experience aimed at igniting curiosity and inspiring the next generation of scientists. The Curiosity Cube is a retrofitted shipping container turned mobile science lab, which offers interactive STEM learning opportunities to local students and the wider community, bringing science to life in an engaging and accessible way. The purpose-built mobile science lab is equipped with practical science experiments led by Merck scientists, and is powered by 100% solar energy, harvested by the panels on its roof, reflecting Merck's commitment to sustainability and innovation in science education. Mark Dunphy, Managing Director and Head of Cork Operations at Merck Life Science Ireland said: 'By bringing real-world experiments directly to students, we hope to inspire young minds to ask questions, explore boldly, and consider careers in science and technology. "It's incredibly rewarding to see the level of engagement and enthusiasm from both students and educators here in Cork. This kind of STEM outreach has the power to shape futures,' he added. The Curiosity Cube tours across North America and Europe, making stops at schools, summer camps, and public venues such as parks, festivals, and museums. During its visit to Cork, the initiative was met with great enthusiasm, engaging over 1,400 students and attendees in interactive experiments delivered by 58 dedicated Merck volunteers. It travelled across the two Merck sites, both Blarney and Carrigtwohill welcoming students, educators, and families to participate in a variety of science experiments and demonstrations. This initiative is part of Merck's broader commitment to STEM education and community engagement.
The Citizen
15-06-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
Curiosity Cube rolls into South Africa for the first time
Curiosity Cube rolls into South Africa for the first time For the first time, the Curiosity Cube, a mobile science lab designed to make STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education accessible and engaging, has arrived in South Africa. Powered by global science and technology company Merck and supported by local partner universities, the initiative aims to ignite curiosity in young learners and inspire the next generation of African scientists. The programme targets children between the ages of eight and 13 – a crucial stage when many begin forming ideas about their future careers. By offering an immersive and fun learning experience, the Curiosity Cube helps demystify science and encourages children to see themselves in STEM fields that may otherwise feel out of reach. Paulo Pinto, head of South Africa Plus at Merck, said it was incredibly rewarding to see learners light up as they engaged with the experiments. 'The Curiosity Cube shows them that science isn't just found in textbooks. It's all around us. This hands-on approach develops essential problem-solving and critical thinking skills, making science both understandable and relatable,' said Pinto. A recent Merck-funded survey found that nearly half (48%) of middle school learners struggle to imagine themselves in STEM careers, despite daily interactions with science and technology. The Curiosity Cube aims to close this gap by making science visible, fun, and accessible. After successful tours in North America and Europe, Merck is now expanding the programme to Southern Africa. Between June and November this year, the Curiosity Cube will visit 100 schools and community events across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini, with the goal of reaching over 15,000 learners. At each stop, local university volunteers support the programme by sharing their personal science journeys and encouraging learners to dream big. To learn more about upcoming tour stops or follow the Curiosity Cube's journey across South Africa, visit or follow @curiositycube_merck on Instagram. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
15-06-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
Curiosity Cube inspires future scientists in Johannesburg with hands-on STEM experience
For the first time, the Curiosity Cube, a mobile science lab designed to make STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education accessible and engaging, has arrived in South Africa. Powered by global science and technology company Merck and supported by local partner universities, the initiative aims to ignite curiosity in young learners and inspire the next generation of African scientists. The programme targets children between the ages of eight and 13 – a crucial stage when many begin forming ideas about their future careers. By offering an immersive and fun learning experience, the Curiosity Cube helps demystify science and encourages children to see themselves in STEM fields that may otherwise feel out of reach. Paulo Pinto, head of South Africa Plus at Merck, said it was incredibly rewarding to see learners light up as they engaged with the experiments. 'The Curiosity Cube shows them that science isn't just found in textbooks. It's all around us. This hands-on approach develops essential problem-solving and critical thinking skills, making science both understandable and relatable,' said Pinto. A recent Merck-funded survey found that nearly half (48%) of middle school learners struggle to imagine themselves in STEM careers, despite daily interactions with science and technology. The Curiosity Cube aims to close this gap by making science visible, fun, and accessible. After successful tours in North America and Europe, Merck is now expanding the programme to Southern Africa. Between June and November this year, the Curiosity Cube will visit 100 schools and community events across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini, with the goal of reaching over 15,000 learners. At each stop, local university volunteers support the programme by sharing their personal science journeys and encouraging learners to dream big. To learn more about upcoming tour stops or follow the Curiosity Cube's journey across South Africa, visit or follow @curiositycube_merck on Instagram. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- 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.'
