Hands-On Museum gets $100,000 Toyota grant
The Toyota Technical Center has announced a $100,000 grant to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum for the creation of a new engineering-themed centerpiece exhibit in the museum's Preschool Gallery.
“With support and guidance from Toyota, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is developing a new centerpiece exhibit to anchor a planned expansion to our preschool gallery experience,” Mel Drumm, executive director of the museum, said in a prepared statement. “This new exhibit will be the first phase of project that will culminate in the creation of a micro-children’s museum dedicated to preschoolers within the museum.”
According to a press release, the planned expansion to the preschool gallery will result in more informal educational experiences focused on the sciences, with an emphasis on introductory engineering concepts. The new exhibit funded by Toyota will include simple machines and other interactive activities designed to deliver a multi-faceted immersive experience centered on engineering.  "Michigan is home to many industries that rely on engineering, math and sciences”, said TTC president, Shigeki Terashi. “Our hope is that this preschool area will inspire parents, caregivers and children to explore, create, and most importantly have fun learning and in the future consider careers in these areas.”  The concepts and prototypes for the new exhibit will be unveiled exclusively to Toyota Motor Engineering employees and their families at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum in early February. The preschool gallery project will continue throughout 2011 with a planned exhibit opening late next year.
The Toyota Technical Center, a division of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, employs 1,000 people in York and Ann Arbor townships.
Comments
braggslaw
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 7:36 a.m.
Good point ciba The Allison two mode drives on the buses are the best hybrid systems for large vehicles Few people know that Allison and gm developed this system Allison is now owned by a hedge fund as a result of the gm bankruptcy
A2K
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:49 a.m.
The Hands-On Museum does have exhibits for tween age level - but I think it would be a good idea to have age-days/events where things could be tailored for younger or older audiences. I went to the HOM in grade school and junior high, and still find it really cool even though I'm in my 30s. I do visit once in awhile with my husband, when it's unlikely that there will be hoards of small children as: 1. We don't want to be that weird couple with no kid that the parents peer at suspiciously. 2. The noise/chaos *lol* but yes, anything that encourages science, inquiry, critical thinking is awesome - so much thanks to Toyota for the donation. There are science camps you can send your girls or boys to instead of sports/kumbayah-centric camps in the summertime...another good way to encourage the life of the mind :O)
West Side Mom
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.
Lola - I completely agree with you with respect to your point about losing the tweens, especially girls, in the middle school years. But I think the Hands-On has many exhibits that should be appealing to curious tweens minds, more than I think many people expect or remember. I am always amazed when I go through the museum by the number of exhibits that offer something for all age levels.
cibachrome
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.
Jane, I happen to know that GM alone gives more to local United Funds than all Japanese companies compbined. But, I had to add the last sentence because otherwise it would be deleted as 'unfriendly' and 'antagonistic' to our conquerers. You've noticed, I hope, than GM was the lead developer of the Hybrid 'green' busses in town, but 'they' won't show GM anywhere on the buss. Can you guess why? Now if it had been done by the Sandanestas, that would probably be front page droolage...
xmo
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 8:28 p.m.
It's really too bad that Toyota gave this money to Ann Arbor where they do not appreciate it. I wish that we had more companies in and around Ann Arbor that generated job and donated money to the community.
Lola
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 5:50 p.m.
braggslaw wrote "Anything that channels children into math and science is a good thing." As a scientist I agree with you, however, it's middle school where we lose them. I wish the Hands on Museum would have more exhibits that appeal to tweens to keep them interested. As a female I would especially like to see more exhibits that are of interest to tween girls. But yeah for the preschoolers!
braggslaw
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 4:07 p.m.
jane, Yeah I've noticed that too... some Americans hate things that are American... strange. You would never find that attitude in Germany or Japan.
janejane
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 3:41 p.m.
cibachrome- US companies do more philanthropic actions than most companies in the rest of the world. Will someone please say something nice about this country for once? If not, do your research and go live where you think they do more.
braggslaw
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 3:38 p.m.
Anything that channels children into math and science is a good thing. There is an enormous talent gap in the U.S. There are millions of unfilled engineering jobs because there is no talent. This country to prosper needs to be on the leading edge of technology.
cibachrome
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.
Toyota is going through a "guilt complex cleansing" process right now. This includes publicity, grants, feel-good charity and product quality claims. All the big decisions are still being made back home, though. Both actions are culture based. Too bad US companies don't do the same.