Powering the Future Learning Lab Now Open
LeMay-America’s Car Museum (ACM), Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust have opened a learning lab titled Powering the Future to educate visitors on the many energy sources for the cars of yesterday, today and tomorrow. The space, which opened April 14, reviews the impact that science, technology, engineering and math careers have made on automotive design.
The five interactive components included in Powering the Future explore the history of what fuels have powered automobiles and how energy discoveries, technological advancements and unforeseen events have shaped 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 Adam Langsbard, CEO of America’s Automotive Trust (AAT). “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 encourages students and visitors to think critically about questions such as: 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 Steve Moore, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust’s executive director. “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)-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 PSE 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.” For more information, visit Americascarmuseum.org
About LeMay-America’s Car Museum
America’s Car Museum (ACM), an entity of America’s Automotive Trust (AAT), is an international destination for families and auto enthusiasts to celebrate America’s love affair with the automobile and learn how it shaped our society. Based in Tacoma, Washington, the 165,000-sqaure-foot facility has been recognized as one of MSN‘s 10 Best Automotive Museums worldwide, USA Today‘s 10 Best Museums in Seattle and KING5‘s Best Museum in Western Washington. ACM serves as an educational center for students of all ages, features 12 rotating exhibits and hosts AAT’s annual Signature Events.
Click Here to purchase tickets or become an ACM member.
About America’s Automotive Trust
America’s Automotive Trust (AAT), headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, is a not-for-profit corporation that seeks to secure America’s automotive heritage and to transfer the skills and knowledge necessary for the future of collector vehicles and the enthusiast community for generations to come. AAT is made up of four founding entities: LeMay-America’s Car Museum, the RPM Foundation, Club Auto and the Concours Club.
For more information on AAT, visit Americasautomotivetrust.org.
