Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE and Saint Louis Science Center Bring Interactive Learning Experiences to Museums Across the Country
ST. LOUIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Saturday, May 29, the Saint Louis Science Center will host what will be the first of numerous Community Science Days and ongoing hands-on science activities and exhibits it has developed for museums and science centers across the country. The free, family-fun events will give visitors a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the science and technology related to super-efficient vehicles. The national education program, developed by the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE and the Saint Louis Science Center, and funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to engage students and the public in learning about advanced vehicle technologies and generate excitement about the energy-efficient vehicle options of the future. Museums will offer activities for visitors young and young at heart to participate in the “Under the Hood” science demonstrations, exhibits, and interactive presentations.
“The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE national education program is a call to action to promote and inspire awareness,” said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation. “We are at a pivotal moment where new technologies and innovation are essential to the continued growth and global development of our country.”
“The Saint Louis Science Center is proud to be a partner to the X PRIZE,” said Doug King, President of the Saint Louis Science Center. “We have worked together on many X PRIZE education programs over the years and, now, due to this generous grant, we are able to share the programs we develop with our Science Beyond the BoundariesSM network, reaching 100 museums around the country.”
The education program is a component of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE multi-million dollar competition that seeks to inspire a new generation of safe, viable and super fuel-efficient vehicles. The education program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of its commitment to inspire students and the public in learning about energy-efficiency to ultimately decrease the nation’s addiction to oil.
In addition to events and exhibits, the U.S. Department of Energy and Discovery Education have developed a comprehensive online knowledge center www.FuelOurFutureNow.com that offers resources for students, teachers and families to learn more about advanced vehicle technologies.
Various museums and science centers across the country will host ongoing exhibits and hands-on science programs for families. The California Science Center (Los Angeles, CA) and Saint Louis Science Center will debut the “Under the Hood’ hands-on science activity cart in June, followed in July by a 400-sq-ft interactive exhibit in Saint Louis, at the Henry Ford Museum (Dearborn, MI) and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (Portland, OR). Special Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE summer programs will be launched at the Discovery Museums (Acton, MA) and Discovery Center Museum (Springfield, MO). These are only a few of the museums participating. For a full schedule of events please email progressiveautopress@xprize.org.
ABOUT THE SAINT LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER
The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, serving 1.2 million visitors annually. Recently named one of the Top 10 Science Centers for Families by Parents magazine and one of America’s most visited museums by Forbes Traveler Magazine-the only museum in Missouri to be named to either list-the Saint Louis Science Center complex includes a four-story OMNIMAX® Theater, the air-supported EXPLORADOME and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Its mission is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center and its programs, visit www.slsc.org.
ABOUT THE PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AUTOMOTIVE X PRIZE
The goal of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices. Ten million dollars in prizes will be awarded to the teams that win a stage competition for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 Miles per gallon or energy equivalent (MPGe). The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE will place a major focus on efficiency, safety, affordability, and the environment. It is about developing real, production-capable cars that consumers will want to buy, not science projects or concept cars. This progress is needed because today’s oil consumption is unsustainable and because automotive emissions significantly contribute to global warming and climate change. For more information about the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE, please visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org or email progressiveautopress@xprize.org.
ABOUT THE X PRIZE FOUNDATION
The X PRIZE Foundation is an educational nonprofit prize institute whose mission is to create radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. In 2004, the Foundation captured world headlines when Burt Rutan, backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, built and flew the world’s first private vehicle to space to win the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE. The Foundation has since launched the $10 million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics, the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE, and the $10 million Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE. The Foundation is creating and conducting competitions in four prize groups: Exploration (Space and Oceans), Life Sciences, Energy and Environment, Education and Global Development. The Foundation is widely recognized as the leader in fostering innovation through competition. For more information, please visit www.xprize.org.
ABOUT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Working with a wide array of state, community, industry and university partners, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy invests in a diverse portfolio of energy technologies. Energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy will mean a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy independence for America. For more information about the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy please contact the EERE Information Center at 1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463) or on the web at www.energy.gov.
