Beacon Park transformed into a wonderland of imagination and innovation as 140 Detroit youth and their families gathered for the Summer STEAM Fair, an inspiring event hosted by DTE Energy Corporate Citizenship in partnership with Detroit PAL. The free, hands-on experience offered a vibrant platform for kids to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through interactive exhibits and joyful exploration.
From battling robots and face painting to constructing LEGO marvels and stepping inside a mobile planetarium, young minds were set ablaze with curiosity. Designed to make STEAM education both accessible and exciting, the fair served as a powerful reminder that learning thrives in environments filled with wonder, creativity, and community support.
“This event was a labor of love for our team,” shared Frank D’Angelo, community outreach manager for DTE Corporate Citizenship. “Watching their faces light up as they interacted with robots or stepped into the planetarium—that’s the reward. These moments remind us why we do this work and how powerful community partnerships can be.”
As part of the fair’s commitment to advancing STEAM education, three schools were awarded a total of $5,000 based on student participation:
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Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences – $3,000
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Detroit Waldorf School – $1,000
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Chandler Park Middle School (Huntington Woods) – $1,000
The event drew in a wide array of partners, including the Michigan Science Center, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, FIRST Robotics, Junior Achievement, and The Robot Garage. Together, they created an immersive environment featuring everything from financial literacy games and career exploration booths to creative arts and free book giveaways.
“We’re proud to partner with DTE to bring STEAM learning directly to the community,” said David Greenwood, program director at Detroit PAL. “Events like this show kids that learning can be fun and that their curiosity matters. It’s about planting seeds for future careers and building confidence through exploration.”
This initiative underscores DTE Energy Foundation’s mission to support educational equity and community empowerment. In 2024 alone, the Foundation granted $14.5 million to 375 nonprofit organizations across Michigan, reaffirming its vision to be not only the best in the world, but the best for the world.
To learn more about DTE’s philanthropic work, visit DTEFoundation.com
