• Over 250 events expected to reach more than 45,000 future scientists on two continents
• Hands-on experiments to focus on impact of contamination on the planet and everyday life

Merck, a leading science and technology company, has kicked off its 2023 Curiosity Cube tour in Europe and North America. This year, the Curiosity Cube, a retrofitted shipping container that offers hands-on experiments in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), will engage 45,000 students at schools and public spaces through more than 250 events across 11 European countries and North America. All experiments are led by Merck employees, allowing visitors to connect with real-life scientists and learn firsthand about STEM careers.

“In recent years, there has been considerable concern regarding a shortage of STEM professionals. As a science and technology company, we want to help spark curiosity in children and young people for the fascinating world of science,” said Meeta Gulyani, Head of Strategy, Business Development and Sustainability for the Life Science business sector of Merck. “That’s why our Curiosity Cube will continue its world tour to make science accessible and interactive, while also demonstrating all the possibilities that the life science field has to offer.”

This year’s Curiosity Cube features a brand-new curriculum, where students can interact with technology such as virtual reality (VR) to make learning fun and engaging. Students will conduct experiments about contaminants and gain a glimpse into the world of a scientist by:

• Exploring evidence of environmental contamination in a variety of samples and learning ways conservationists try to mitigate the negative environmental impact of contamination.
• Working with VR technology to discover what contaminants are commonly found on classroom surfaces and learn how to stop their spread.
• Using scientific instruments to run quality control tests on different beverages and determine if any contaminants are present.

This is the Curiosity Cube’s second European tour, which plans to make stops in Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K. In North America, the Curiosity Cube already embarked on its fifth tour, with 124 events across the U.S. and Canada, including Austin, Boston, Cleveland, Houston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Seattle, St. Louis, Toronto, and more.