MilliporeSigma Announces 2018 North American Curiosity Cube™ Mobile Science Lab Tour

Burlington, Massachusetts, February 26, 2018 — Building on its commitment to enhance science education, MilliporeSigma today announced plans for its second annual Curiosity Cube™ mobile science lab tour, which will kick off in February and visit more than 100 communities in the U.S. and Canada. The 22x10-foot Curiosity Cube™ retrofitted shipping container has been transformed into a solar-powered mobile science lab that engages students and sparks scientific curiosity through interactive, hands-on science experiments.

“Through the Curiosity Cube™ mobile lab, MilliporeSigma encourages students to pursue future careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Udit Batra, CEO, MilliporeSigma. “With an expanding STEM workforce that relies on more graduates to fill the pipeline, it’s crucial to reach students at an early age. Through the active involvement of our many employee volunteers, students can connect with real-life scientists who are role models demonstrating the diversity of those in STEM.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the STEM sector is growing faster than any other in the U.S. — yet there are more STEM opportunities than there are students to fill these positions.

All Curiosity Cube™ mobile lab experiments are staffed by MilliporeSigma employees — allowing visitors to ask questions and discuss the possibilities of future careers in the industry.

The design of MilliporeSigma’ Curiosity Cube™ mobile lab brings interactive science experiences and tools to students who might not otherwise have access, such as those attending schools with fewer resources. With a goal of reaching 50,000 students this year, the mobile science lab will visit schools and communities across the U.S. and Canada — making stops in cities including San Diego, Seattle, Houston, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Toronto and Boston.

The equipment inside the Curiosity Cube™ mobile lab provides all children with the same opportunities to learn and develop an interest in science, no matter their background. Advanced technology — such as virtual reality, augmented reality, high-tech microscopes, 3D printers and touchscreen televisions — enhances experiments taking place inside the cube. Additionally, new structural improvements will double the amount of classroom space, allowing an even greater number of curious minds to learn how cells work through three interactive experiments.  

To learn more about the Curiosity Cube™ mobile lab and view the complete tour schedule for 2018, visit TheCuriosityCube.com and follow #CuriosityCube and #SPARKCuriosity on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About the Corporate Responsibility Efforts of the Life Science Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Through its corporate responsibility initiatives, the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, harnesses the collective expertise, passion and energy of employees to minimize its environmental footprint and positively impact communities around the world.

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is uniquely positioned to solve the toughest problems in life science through its efforts aligned with strengths in research, innovation and collaboration with the global scientific community. This helps differentiate its business and provides a competitive edge for its customers, while accelerating access to health for people everywhere. The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt Germany demonstrates its commitment to corporate responsibility through extensive programs in three main areas: Greener Products and Solutions—which includes Design for Sustainability, Green Chemistry, Packaging and Recycling initiatives; Employee and Community Engagement; and Sustainable Operations.

About the Life Science Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has 20,000 employees and 60 manufacturing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products enabling scientific discovery. Udit Batra is the global chief executive officer of MilliporeSigma.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany completed its $17 billion acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich in November 2015, creating a leader in the $125 billion global life science industry.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in health care, life science and performance materials. The company has six businesses— Biopharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, Allergopharma, Biosimilars, Life Science and Performance Materials—and generated sales of €15 billion in 2016. More than 50,000 employees work in 66 countries to improve the quality of life for patients, to foster the success of customers and to help meet global challenges.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company—since 1668, the company has stood for innovation, business success and responsible entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70 percent interest, the founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this day. The company holds the global rights to the name and the trademark “Merck” internationally except for the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.