A pinewood derby typically has a lot of rules— and while rules can be fun, they can also be fun to break. That’s where the Imagination Station’s Nerdy Derby comes in.

This weekend, visitors can design, build and race their own derby car during a no rules, all fun celebration of imagination.

Leave the supplies at home— the science center will have that covered. Young engineers can experiment with supplies, tinker with toy cars, brainstorm ideas and build their own derby car.

Once the little inventor completes their derby car, it’s off to the races. They can send the car down the hills and valleys of a 40 foot track to test out how fast— or slow— their little car can go.

“Activities like the Nerdy Derby allow visitors to think creatively and solve problems through trial and error,” said Sloan Eberly Mann, Director of STEM Education. “It’s important for kids to make discoveries so they can better understand the world around them.”

Of course, no derby experience is complete without a thinking cap. Visitors can make their own derby hat to get into the engineering excitement, or reward their automotive accomplishments.

Now— on your mark, get set… derby!

Read more about the Nerdy Derby here.

Activities are included in the cost of admission.  
​10am-5pm Saturday, July 30 & noon-5pm Sunday, July 31.
Imagination Station, 1 Discovery Way. 419-244-2674. imaginationstationtoledo.org

The power of a role model is unimaginable— they help us see what’s possible and discover what we’re capable of. The Girl Scouts know young girls need good women to look up to, so every year, they recognize community leaders with the Women of Distinction Program.

Here are 2016’s Toledo Women of Distinction award recipients:

Holly Bristoll​
​president of ProMedica Bay Park Hospital and chief integration officer for academic affiliations
for Healthy Living

Suzette Cowell
CEO of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union
for Financial Empowerment

Lori Hauser
CEO of the Imagination Station
for S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts, and/or math)

Karen Marquardt
Assistant Chief of the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department
for Leadership

Mary Arquette
Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Lourdes University
for Community Responsibility

This annual program invites members of the community to nominate women who have made significant contributions to their career field, which provides a positive example of success for young girls. The program’s award categories were identified by The Girl Scouts Research Institute as key areas that influence girls toward leadership roles.

“It's such a pleasure to celebrate these local leaders who are champions for community service, sustainable change, and supporting opportunities for girls,” said Angela Tennaro, director of regional services for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. “These women are inspiring role models, dedicated to making our community a better place and demonstrating Girl Scout values in all they do.”

The award recipients and the community’s nominees will be celebrated during the annual Women of Distinction event on October 6 at the Toledo Museum of Art. RSVP for the free event online at gswo.org/wodtoledo.

Most kids don’t love school. They have to wake up early, do homework during the night and take tests during the day. For some kids, however, school anxieties can be a lot more serious.

According to a press release from the United Way of Greater Toledo, “More than 70 percent of children entering kindergarten in Toledo are physically, emotionally and academically unprepared,” slowing their track to educational success.

The United Way of Greater Toledo also reports that 2,200 TPS student are currently homeless, and nearly 65 percent of Toledo Public School (TPS) students qualify for free and reduced lunch— often making school the only place where they receive a meal.  

Since many children are unable to purchase basic school supplies, the United Way of Greater Toledo wants to help. As part of the 98th United Way Campaign Kick-Off, more than 5,000 backpacks will be filled with essential school supplies and donated to local students to give them everything they need to succeed in the classroom.

These backpacks are one way the United Way is helping to increase rates of school attendance, class attentiveness, test scores, and graduation rates.

“In the past, we’ve kept our Campaign Kick-Off and Days of Caring events separate from one another,” said United Way President and CEO Karen Mathison. “But this year, we’re combining the two, because students in our region desperately need these resources to start their school year off right.”

Volunteers who would like to help fill backpacks during United Way’s Kick-Off to Caring Event can come to the Huntington Center on Thursday, July 21 from 8-9am.

To register, or simply donate supplies, visit unitedwaytoledo.org/KOC16.  

United Way’s community partners— PNC, Owens Corning, Owens-Illinois, The Andersons and The Salvation Army— are help making the event possible. PNC will also be matching all donations made to the event, up to $15,000, via PNC’s Matching Challenge Grant.

8am Thursday, July 21. | Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave. | 419-255-3300 | unitedwaytoledo.org/KOC16

School is almost in session, which means money it’s time to fork over money for new school supplies. Backpack, pens, pencils, notebooks, and folders might not seem costly, but just like groceries, the price quickly adds up, burning a hole in your pocket. If this time of year stresses you out financially, fear not. The Salvation Army strives to help those who might not be able to start school with the supplies needed for academic success.

In order to apply for assistance, parents or guardians need to bring photo ID, proof of address (i.e. utility bill) current within 30 days, proof of income current within 30 days, and a birth certificate or proof of custody for each child.

Applications will be accepted from 9-11am and 1-3pm on both days, Wednesday, July 20 and Thursday, July 21.

The Salvation Army Admin Office, 620 North Erie St. 419-241-1138 x116. salvationarmynwohio.org.