Hyundai Motor Group and Exploratorium Join Forces to Establish Experiential Science Museum

Collaboration for Advancing Fundamental Science and Innovating Science Culture in Korea

Participatory Exhibition Space for Hands-On Experimentation, Targeting Opening in 2032

Euisun Chung: "A Crucial Venue for Science Education"

Hyundai Motor Group will collaborate with the world-renowned science museum, the Exploratorium, located in San Francisco, United States, to build an experiential science museum for future generations in Korea.

This collaborative project is part of Hyundai Motor Group’s vision to foster future talent by advancing fundamental science and innovating science education, which are the foundation of advanced future industries such as mobility, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai Motor Group

On April 15 (local time) in San Francisco, Hyundai Motor Group signed a strategic partnership with the Exploratorium and officially announced its plan to build an experiential science museum aimed at innovating the domestic science culture and nurturing future scientific talent.

The signing ceremony was attended by Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group; Vice Chairman Jaehoon Chang; Executive Vice President Sungwon Ji, Head of HMG Brand Experience; William F. (Bill) Mellin, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Exploratorium; Lindsay Bierman, the Sakurako and William Fisher Executive Director and CEO of the Exploratorium; and Dr. Anne Richardson, Chief Experience Officer of the Exploratorium, along with other representatives from Hyundai Motor Group and the Exploratorium.

Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, stated, "Hyundai Motor Group continues to take on new challenges in advanced scientific fields such as mobility and artificial intelligence to contribute to humanity and the future society. The experiential science museum we will create together with the Exploratorium is expected to nurture individual curiosity and a spirit of inquiry, and play a crucial role as a differentiated venue for science education for a better future."

Lindsay Bierman, the Sakurako and William Fisher Executive Director and CEO of the Exploratorium, commented, "Our collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group highlights the importance of uniquely human capabilities—curiosity, insight, and autonomy—that cannot be replaced by machines or technology. Through this partnership, we aim to promote science education, literacy, and innovation across Asia and the world, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of our society and humanity."

Established in 1969 by physicist Frank Oppenheimer, the Exploratorium gained international acclaim for pioneering the 'hands-on' exhibition model that allows visitors to learn by directly touching and experimenting—establishing the modern concept of the experiential science museum. More than 80% of science museums worldwide have evolved based on the Exploratorium’s hands-on exhibition model.

Visited by over one million people annually, the Exploratorium currently houses more than 650 exhibits covering a wide range of topics, including science, art, psychology, social culture, and climate change. It also operates a variety of educational programs for students, teachers, and visitors, serving as a hub for innovation in science education.

Hyundai Motor Group and the Exploratorium share a vision that "individual curiosity creates a creative future" and have agreed to pursue a global collaboration to provide future generations with differentiated scientific experiences through the establishment of an experiential science museum.

The Hyundai Motor Group Science Museum, which will be established based on this partnership, is planned as a participatory exhibition space where visitors actively explore, experiment, and learn, moving beyond passive viewing and listening.

Furthermore, to promote and innovate Korea’s science culture, experts from diverse backgrounds—including scientists, educators, and artists—will directly participate in exhibition planning and research. The museum will also function as a "science community platform," developing and operating educational programs in connection with schools and local communities, enabling the public to easily relate and expand their scientific thinking.

The science museum aims to open in 2032 and is being planned as the flagship exhibition space of Hyundai Motor Group’s Global Business Complex (GBC). It is expected to offer differentiated scientific experiences not only to local residents but also to domestic and international visitors.

A Hyundai Motor Group representative stated, "The experiential science museum will be a participatory learning space where all visitors can directly explore and experiment. Together with the Exploratorium, we will contribute to innovating Korea’s science ecosystem and lead the way in nurturing creative talent to drive advanced future industries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.