From railroads to robots, there will be plenty for children to explore during the American Ingenuity: Embracing the Freedom to Dream program series at the Lorenzo Cultural Center at Macomb Community College this fall.
The series celebrates the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of America and Americans, who explored the unknown, charted new territory and created new possibilities. A number of the exhibits and presentations may be of special interest to children, including an Oct. 21 presentation by Butch Hartman, the artist who created The Fairly Oddparents and Danny Phantom for Nickelodeon.
“As we celebrate America’s spirit of ingenuity, we hope to nurture the creativity of our children --to encourage them to not only dream about what is possible, but to experiment and to explore new ideas,” said Linda Wells, vice president, Student and Community Relations at Macomb. “Many of the presentations during the American Inqenuity series at the Lorenzo Cultural Center allow children – and their parents or grandparents – to participate in hands-on activities.”
American Ingenuity: Embracing the Freedom to Dream runs Sept. 25 – Nov. 21 at the Lorenzo Cultural Center, located at M-59 and Garfield, in Clinton Township. The exhibits are free, and there is no charge for the majority of the presentations, though advance registration is required.
The exhibits on display will include Kites to Kitty Hawk, which chronicles the kites and their inventors in the movement toward the goal of man-powered flight, and Yesterday’s Tomorrows, from the Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street Program, which showcases how Americans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries envisioned the future.
Inventerrific, an organization that specializes in educational resources about American inventors, will lead three hands-on workshops: Enjoying the Ride: The Story of Harley-Davidson, Oct. 1; Do You Remember Howdy Doody?, Oct. 20; and Inventing Michigan: Inventors Known and Unknown, also Oct. 20.
Some additional kid-friendly presentations include:
• Super Science Day: The Physics of Sound, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10. The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum leads families through a series of interactive activities on the science of sound waves.
• Autonomous Robots: Hands-on Workshop for Thanksgiving RoboParade Rookies, 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. A robotics workshop for students in grades 4-12. Teachers or parents must make advance registration.
• America’s 19th Century Marvel: The Transcontinental Railroad, 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17; and The Erie Canal: Dewitt Clinton’s Vision and Michigan’s Future, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3. Historical re-enactor Michael Deen shares the stories and songs of the people who created these two transportation marvels.
• Butch Hartman, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21. Hartman, a graduate of Anchor Bay High School and creator of two Nickleodeon cartoon series, talks about the creative process.
• Brainstormers! “Takeoff Show,” 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, and 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. Interactive opportunity for elementary and middle school students to participate in the creative writing process.
• Backyard Brains, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7. Discussion of the SpikerBox, which allows school children and amateur scientists to study the electrical activity of neurons.
• Parts of a Parachute, 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. The Detroit Science Center guides middle school students through creating parachutes that will protect eggs dropped from a ladder.
• Thanksgiving RoboParade, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Organized by Lawrence Technological University, the parade inside the cultural center will feature robots designed by students teams in 4th through 12th grades.
All of the above presentations are free.
The Lorenzo Cultural Center is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Additional information on the center and on the American Ingenuity program series is available at LorenzoCulturalCenter.com. Registration and additional information is also available by calling the cultural center at 586.445.7348.
About the Lorenzo Cultural Center
The Lorenzo Cultural Center (LorenzoCulturalCenter.com) explores the influences and experiences that shape our community's heritage, examining topics from a variety of perspectives and creating interactive opportunities for learning, celebration and entertainment. Located on Macomb Community College's Center Campus, Hall and Garfield Roads in Clinton Township, the cultural center is adjacent to the Macomb Center for Performing Arts.
About Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 48,000 students annually. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.
Media contact:
Dan Heaton
heatond@macomb.edu
586.445.7271