Yazaki North America and Detroit Public Schools Children's Museum Team Up to Teach Detroit Public School Children

Over 100 Detroit public school children attend inaugural event

CANTON, Mich., Dec. 16 -- Yazaki Corporation (Yazaki), a leading supplier of vehicle power and data solutions to the automotive industry, has teamed up with Detroit Public Schools Children's Museum to plant the seeds of interest in science and technology within the children of Detroit. The Yazaki Youth Connections program began today with its Academic Enrichment Program consisting of a full day of science, social studies, and multicultural experiences for over 100 students from the Detroit Public Schools.

The program provides hands-on, minds-on learning experiences for students in grades 3-5. The inaugural event consisted of an opening ceremony and rotating class sessions on topics such as minority inventors and inventions, electrical circuits, and a special Yazaki presentation facilitated by engineers that will educate the students about automotive electrical and electronic technology.

"Yazaki is committed to creating interest in science and technology early in the academic careers of students by enriching their educational experiences and removing barriers to learning," said Brandon L. Dent, senior manager of Corporate Affairs and Communications for Yazaki. "We hope to establish a sustainable solution for our region and the automotive industry by cultivating bright minds for the future."

Future events in the Yazaki Youth Connections program include a teachers' forum and a gadgets competition. The Yazaki and You Teachers' Forum, the second part in the three-part series, is a professional development program for elementary and science teachers designed to expose them to creative ways of infusing science and technology into their classrooms. The third part of the series is a Gadgets Competition where students will use problem solving and higher order thinking skills to compete in creative construction and engineering projects.

The long-term vision of Yazaki Youth Connections is to provide the Academic Enrichment Program each quarter to schools. The Teachers' Forum and the Gadgets Competition will be held once per year. All components of the Yazaki Youth Connections Program are available through an application/request process facilitated by the Children's Museum.

Detroit Public Schools Children's Museum has been fostering growth in the hearts and minds of children and families since 1917. Its mission is to provide children, families, and adults with formal and informal learning experiences to deepen their understanding and knowledge of the world in which we live, broadening their horizons, stimulating their creativity, and encouraging cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Yazaki Corporation is a global leader in the research, development and delivery of vehicle power and data solutions, as well as advanced electronic technologies for vehicle applications. Yazaki produces electrical distribution systems, fiber optics, instrumentation, solid-state power centers, connection systems and electronics. Worldwide, the company employs over 150,000 people in 37 countries, 1,500 of whom are based in the company's North American headquarters and research center campus in Canton, Michigan. For more information on Yazaki, log onto www.yazaki-na.com.