STEM Education Institute from Eastern Michigan University at the Detroit Auto

We recently had the distinct honor of participating in a panel hosted at the Detroit Auto Show, held at Huntington Place in the heart of Downtown Detroit. The event was full of excitement, marking the show's anticipated winter return in January since its last occurrence in 2019. The Auto Show was previously held over the summer in previous years. This milestone created the perfect platform to spotlight our institute’s mission and the transformative role STEM education plays in shaping future generations.

The panel, titled "Driving Possibilities STEM Initiative Presented by Toyota", featured our STEM Education Director, Dr. Sibrina Collins, alongside esteemed panelists Teliah Hinton, student, Ypsilanti Community Middle School; Robert Jansen, Superintendent, Lincoln Consolidated Schools (LCS),and Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross, Superintendent, Ypsilanti Community Schools (YCS). The panel was moderated by Jeff Makarewicz, Group Vice President, Technical Resources at Toyota Motor North America Research and Development. Together, they addressed an enthusiastic audience of over 200 attendees, including 70 students from the districts, sharing insights on the intersection of STEM education and the automotive industry. The students were also able to tour the auto show floor.

A standout moment of the panel was the inspiring STEM story of Teliah Hinton, who talked about her experiences with Ten80, which is a program where students design, build and race vehicles. Teliah’s involvement in Ten80 exemplifies the growing interest among young students in STEM fields. Her presence not only highlighted the success of hands-on STEM programs but also portrayed the bright future of innovation driven by today’s youth.

During the hour panel, Dr. Collins provided an overview of the STEM Ed Institute and priorities, made possible as part of Toyota’s $10 million grant over five years. The Institute's recent accomplishments include: donating over 500 school supplies to students in YCS and LCS, enabling student visits to the planetarium at Eastern Michigan University, and sparking curiosity about space exploration. Additionally, Toyota donated three Sienna Minivans to each district for student transportation needs, ensuring access to educational opportunities. These initiatives are part of our ongoing commitment to empowering students and educators with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

The panel also set the stage for what’s to come. Our future goals include expanding STEM outreach to underserved communities. These initiatives aim to inspire the next generation of innovators while addressing the growing demand for STEM professionals.

When asked Dr. Collins what it means for the STEM Education Institute to be a part of the collaborative panel at the event she answered: “It was an honor for the STEM Ed Institute to be included in the Driving Possibilities STEM Initiative panel presented by Toyota. Specifically, to be able to talk about our unique partnership and the importance of STEM education with a diverse audience of students, educators and community and business leaders was an amazing experience.”

The Detroit Auto Show provided an incredible platform to share our vision, connect with the community, and inspire the future of STEM. We’re already looking forward to continuing this journey and creating new opportunities for students across the region.