Traveling high-tech-dining exhibit draws families

This traveling pop-up exhibit, introduced last year in Chattanooga, Tenn., encourages healthy relationships with technology and inspires youngsters to embrace STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and math). Among the experiences are 3-D-printed s'Mores; candy-controlled robots; liquid nitrogen; an edible chemistry experiment; and treat-dropping drones.

Sue's Tech Kitchen, as this brainchild of Randi Zuckerberg (sister of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg) is called, will travel to nine up-and-coming U.S. tech hubs this year — among them Atlanta; Cedar Park, Texas; Glen Allen, Va.; Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Schaumburg, Ill.; and Tacoma, Wash. 

Five of the units will operate at ShopCore Properties’ shopping centers. "When Randi explained her new tech concept to me, I couldn't wait to bring it to our centers," said ShopCore President and CEO Luke Petherbridge. "We are committed to bringing innovative and educational experiences to our centers and are thrilled to be partnering with Sue's Tech Kitchen. As a parent, I understand the importance of introducing children to the world of technology, and I am pleased to be able to bring this opportunity to our communities."

The pop-up exhibit runs for about two days and each ticket is $24.95. "We are so excited to continue our Sue's Tech Kitchen national tour in these soon-to-be-major tech markets," said Zuckerberg. "Making sure kids and families have access to the tools they need to explore STEM education has always been a driving force for us, and as we continue our stops, we're developing more-interactive stations that are exciting our guests and teaching them critical skills at the same time."