The Merze Tate Explorers’ Summer S.T.E.A.M. Academy was packed with fun, education, and travel for the 20 participants who visited such places as the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, and Lansing for Hall of Justice and State Capitol tours. In addition, actress Holly Fulger stopped in to inspire the girls as they learned their Legend personality traits in a new, creative way.

Explorer teams also created stories based on their visits. The best summer academy story was created by the team led by Aliah Ward, a senior Explorer. Read their story below.

A Day in the State Capital

The Merze Tate Explorers toured the Michigan Hall of Justice and the Capitol Building in Lansing Michigan during the 2023 Summer S.T.E.A.M. Academy. After an early drive to Lansing, we jumped out of the van for an amazing adventure. 

We walked single file through security at the Hall of Justice. Rachael Drenovsky of the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center served as our knowledgeable guide. Drenovsky informed us about the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government. We listened to her presentation and learned that the judicial branch includes the Supreme Court Justices. Their role is to interpret the law and determine how it relates to a case. 

We each took our places in a mock courtroom and participated in a mock trial. The pretend case was about a neighbor who complained about the height of the fence his neighbor installed. Some Explorers acted as the public, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, the defendant, the plaintiff, and the bailiff. 

After the mock trial, we could interact with items in the exhibit area that helped us understand the history of courts and how they operate. We learned that a case first goes to the trial courts where the facts are reviewed. If the decision is not accepted, the case can then be moved to an appeals court. If the case is still not settled, it can go to the Michigan Supreme Court where final decisions are made.

One exhibit we visited discussed environmental law and how it “is a very large and complex part of the legal system at both federal and state levels” according to the exhibit. We learned some surprising facts, such as it’s illegal to pour hazardous materials into a storm sewer. We learned that environmental law plays an important role in addressing the damage to our world and that many of the environmental laws limit the amounts of regulated chemicals in exhaust gasses, drain water, or solid waste.

After lunch in on the patio of the Hall of Justice, we walked across a long sidewalk to the Michigan Capitol building. With the help of our tour guide, Shayla Croteau, we learned about the building’s history, the artwork, and the 20 spectacular Michigan chandeliers. We had no idea that the first Capitol building was in Detroit, or that the building had so many motifs like the word “Tuebor” which means “I will defend.” Michigan’s coat of arms was also on all the door hinges, and we learned that they built a sandstone exterior and 976 glass tiles that can hold about 40 tons!

The building was under construction during our visit, but that didn’t stop us from learning about the current and past governors whose portraits hang in the gallery area. The Michigan Capitol is truly a wonder.  

Check out the Explorer YouTube Channel to watch mini-episodes of our adventures!