Something STEM-tacular was brewing at Toyota Mississippi this October. 

The automaker opened its doors during Manufacturing Month to offer students more than a seasonal treat, welcoming them for special STEM tours that combined hands-on learning with a closer look at what it takes to bring a global icon to life. 

The experience put students in the driver’s seat of their own manufacturing challenge. 

Each student received a STEM kit with the components needed to build a wind-powered car, putting the manufacturing process into practice from assembly to completion. 

“It was really rewarding to work alongside the students and see their excitement as everything started coming together,” said Macain Chunn, Toyota Mississippi Quality Assurance Engineer. “Experiences like this give them a chance to try something new, build confidence and discover opportunities they may not have considered before.” 

Toyota team members guided students through the process, reinforcing the importance of communication and continuous improvement–kaizen. The activity also introduced elements of the Toyota Production System, helping students understand how individual steps work together to turn a concept into a finished product. 

But the experience didn’t stop at the build. 

Students also toured the plant, where they saw those same ideas come to life on a much larger scale. The tour connected the classroom activity to real-world manufacturing and introduced students to the people, technology and careers behind Corolla production. 

As Toyota celebrates the Corolla’s 60-year legacy, experiences like these are also an investment in what comes next, helping inspire the students who could one day design, build and shape the future of manufacturing. 

For more information on Toyota’s mission, go here.