A seven-metre travelling science lab has arrived in Cape Town, bringing hands-on experiments and real-world STEM inspiration to local learners.
The Curiosity Cube™, a state-of-the-art mobile lab created by Merck, is currently touring the city as part of its second Southern Africa journey. Designed for children aged 8 to 13, the initiative aims to spark curiosity and introduce young minds to the possibilities of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Inside the solar-powered cube, students are invited to step into the world of scientific discovery. Through interactive experiments focused on synthetic biology, learners engage with tools such as Cubelets and magnetic puzzles, turning complex concepts into something tangible and fun. The experience is guided by Merck employees and university partners, who volunteer as part of the company’s SPARK™ programme to mentor and inspire.
The Cape Town leg of the tour includes stops at Elkanah House Preparatory School, Sunningdale Campus, from 18 to 20 March, followed by sessions at the Cape Town Science Centre from 21 to 27 March. While these events are not open to the public, they form part of a broader mission to expand access to quality science education.
The initiative comes at a critical time. According to global estimates, millions more STEM graduates will be needed by 2030 to meet growing demand across industries such as healthcare, engineering and information technology. Programmes like the Curiosity Cube™ aim to address this gap early by exposing learners to science in engaging and relatable ways.
Beyond experiments, the cube also offers something less tangible but equally important: representation. By interacting with scientists and students from similar communities, learners are encouraged to see themselves in these roles and imagine a future in STEM.
Celebrating 10 years globally, the Curiosity Cube™ continues to connect communities with science, one city at a time, proving that sometimes, inspiration really does arrive on wheels.
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Picture: Supplied
