AAPI STEM Day 2025 at Science Museum

On March 8, 2025, ZIRAN was proudly featured at the Science Museum of Minnesota during the special event "AAPI STEM Day." This unique occasion celebrated the vibrant diversity and cultural richness of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community through various performances and interactive exhibits.

ZIRAN’s exhibit centered on the critical importance of proper recycling habits, providing museum visitors with hands-on demonstrations and practical advice on reducing their carbon footprint in everyday life. A specially designed recycling game became the highlight, attracting many enthusiastic young participants. We were particularly delighted to see many children successfully sorting different types of waste into the correct recycling categories without assistance from their parents. It provided a wonderful opportunity for families to learn and practice recycling together.

Visitors to our booth included Twin Cities residents already familiar with organic recycling, as well as guests from outside the metro area and out-of-state, who learned about this simple yet effective practice for the first time. Their genuine interest demonstrated the importance and impact of ZIRAN’s mission: diverting waste from landfills through education and community engagement.

A fascinating interaction occurred when a sustainability student from Japan visited our exhibit and shared insights about recycling practices in Japan. Notably, Japanese residents meticulously separate bottle caps from bottles, demonstrating a culturally ingrained habit of precision in recycling learned from an early age. This conversation further motivated us to broaden our vision and ambition by learning from global environmental leaders and their varied approaches to recycling. It also inspired us to deepen our commitment to local actions guided by the principle, “Think globally, act locally.”

Alongside ZIRAN, several other nonprofit organizations contributed to broader discussions about sustainability, healthy lifestyles, and environmental stewardship. Lotus Health Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting healthy living and reducing chronic diseases through clean, simple dietary choices, was among the notable exhibitors. They used this opportunity to invite attendees to their upcoming event, "Community of Wellness: Symposium & Gala" scheduled for April 17-18, 2025. This event will feature a distinguished panel addressing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and women’s health. Tickets are currently available online.

Plant-based MN also participated, reinforcing the message that plant-based lifestyles significantly contribute to both personal health and environmental wellness. As part of the Building Healthy Communities action network, affiliated with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and PlantPure Communities, Plant-Based MN regularly hosts educational meetups and speaker series in the Twin Cities area.

Overall, the "AAPI STEM Day" at the Science Museum of Minnesota was a meaningful celebration of cultural diversity, scientific innovation, and environmental consciousness. ZIRAN was honored to participate and looks forward to continued community collaborations and initiatives that promote sustainable living and environmental responsibility.