America’s Car Museum (ACM), Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust will open a new learning lab – “Powering the Future” – to educate visitors to the Tacoma-based Museum on the many energy sources for the cars of yesterday, today and tomorrow. The innovative space will also explore the impact that science, technology, engineering and math careers have made on automotive design.
As students work their way through the five interactive components included in Powering the Future, they will explore the history of what fuels have powered automobiles and how energy discoveries, technological advancements and unforeseen events have shaped our energy consumption habits.
“The Powering the Future learning lab is one of our boldest interactive exhibits yet, teaching students about a variety of power sources for cars of the past and into the future,” said America’s Automotive Trust CEO Adam Langsbard. “We embrace our responsibility to continually produce and promote STEM-related education for the next generation – we may, one day, be inspiring a future workforce for the auto industry by way of sparking interest in young people’s fascination with future technologies.”
The interactive learning experience will encourage students and visitors to think critically about important questions of our time: what will power the future, how we can meet our current and future energy needs for transportation in a sustainable way and how we can make choices to meet our needs without compromising the needs of future generations?
“Powering the Future is an excellent example of a creative way to introduce students to important concepts like engineering and science,” said M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Executive Director Steve Moore. “We are pleased to support and partner with LeMay – America’s Car Museum as they generate enthusiasm for learning among today’s youth and their families.”
Additionally, students from Tacoma schools – including the Science and Math Institute (SAMI), the Industrial Design and Engineering Arts High School (IDEA) and the School of the Arts (SOTA) – will engage visitors in the gallery and lead outreach lessons at local elementary and middle schools.
“We’re excited to be partnering with America’s Car Museum to not only celebrate the history of the automobile but also where the industry is heading,” said Puget Sound Energy’s Vice President Andy Wappler. “PSE has committed to reducing its own carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2040, and by supporting innovation and things like ACM’s Powering the Future learning lab, we are helping to create a better energy future for all.”
Powering the Future is a central component of ACM’s Powering the Future celebration, which include:
- April 12: Grand opening of the lab, tickets available at americascarmuseum.org
- April 14: Public opening at ACM, admission coupons available at the 2018 South Sound Sustainability Expo
- April 16: IC Bus’s ChargE Electric School Bus will be on display as students visit ACM on a field trip
- April 21: Powering the Future Family Fun Day
- May 5: Full STEAM Ahead- Educator Training
About LeMay – America’s Car Museum (americascarmuseum.org)