On August 14, our company’s Corporate Citizenship team and Detroit PAL partnered to host the Summer STEAM Fair at Beacon Park, welcoming 140 children for a day of hands-on learning, creativity and community connection. The event was designed to spark curiosity in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through immersive activities and interactive exhibits, all while supporting local schools and students.
From the moment the school buses filled with children arrived, the energy was electric. Kids raced between stations, building robots, exploring a mobile planetarium, painting their faces and diving into financial literacy games. Each activity was carefully curated to be both educational and fun, reinforcing the idea that learning doesn’t have to be confined to a classroom.
The fair was made possible by a dedicated team of DTE employees, the Detroit PAL team and community partners who worked behind the scenes to bring the event to life.
“This event was a labor of love for our team,” said Frank D’Angelo, manager, community outreach. “We put our hearts into creating a space where kids could explore, imagine and just be joyful. Watching their faces light up as they interacted with robots, painted their faces, 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.”
“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.”
In addition to sparking imagination, the fair had a tangible impact on local education. Based on student participation, three schools received donations to support their STEAM programs:
- Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences – $3,000
- Detroit Waldorf School – $1,000
- Chandler Park Middle School – $1,000
The event featured contributions from the Michigan Science Center, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, FIRST Robotics, Junior Achievement, The Robot Garage and others. Activities ranged from Lego engineering and robot battles to free book giveaways and career exploration in the energy sector.
The Summer STEAM Fair is a shining example of DTE’s commitment to educational equity and community empowerment. It showcased what’s possible when corporate citizenship meets grassroots collaboration and reminded us all that the future of Detroit is bright, curious and full of potential.