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Celebrate Ford FREE FunDays at The New Detroit Science Center

FunDays Begin with Four-Day Celebration of Science Center's Fourth Anniversary

DETROIT, July 22 -- Sundays will be more fun than ever when Ford FREE FunDays at The New Detroit Science Center begin on July 31, 2005! Ford FREE FunDays will offer complimentary General Admission for visitors (up to 2 adults and 4 children per party) and will feature family-oriented workshops and special science-based, hands-on activities on one Sunday every month. Families will enjoy a variety of themed make-and-take activities, science projects and workshops, as well as special performances and engaging demonstrations throughout each Ford FREE FunDay.

Ford FREE FunDays are made possible by Ford Motor Company.

"Ford FREE FunDays are a wonderful gift to our community. There's no better time to launch this great new program than during our four-day, four- year anniversary celebration," said Shawn M. Kahle, President and CEO of The New Detroit Science Center. "Since we reopened our fully expanded, hands-on Science Center in 2001, more than 1.3 million visitors have enjoyed the dynamic, hands-on science experiences we provide. Thanks to the generous support of Ford Motor Company, we will help ensure that all families who are committed to learning and laughing together have the opportunity to celebrate with us."

While the first Ford FREE FunDay will be on Sunday, July 31, 2005 from noon to 6:00 p.m., the four-day celebration begins on Thursday, July 28, 2005 -- the fourth anniversary of The New Detroit Science Center. Plans for the four-day celebration of family learning include:

* Thursday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. -- free General Admission (including 2 adults and up to 4 children).

* Friday, July 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. -- free admission to the Dassault Systemes Planetarium with paid General Admission. Maximum capacity of 110 visitors per show.

* Saturday, July 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. -- free admission to the Amazing Music Studio special exhibit with paid General Admission and a free Summer Science Concert Series performance by Candy Band.

* Sunday, July 31, from noon to 6 p.m. -- inaugural Ford FREE FunDay featuring make-and-take activities, special prizes and free General Admission for families (including 2 adults and up to 4 children).

"Ford Motor Company is pleased to partner with The New Detroit Science Center to support Ford FREE FunDays. This program will engage families and offer a special opportunity to view and experience the museum's innovative exhibits and activities free of charge," said Sandra E. Ulsh, President, Ford Motor Company Fund. "At Ford, we are committed to enriching our communities through programs like Ford FREE FunDays and are proud to continue this tradition here in Southeastern Michigan, our home for over 100 years."

Nationwide Ford Motor Company Fund, through their Ford Free Museum Days program, allows people in five additional cities to visit partner museums free of charge. Along with The New Detroit Science Center, other participants include the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (the California Palace of the Legion of Honor), the Art Institute of Chicago, the St. Louis Art Museum, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. In 2004 alone, more than 600,000 visitors across the country experienced the Ford Free Museum Days program.

Upcoming Ford FREE FunDays themes will be:

August 28 - Invention Convention - Take part in activities and demonstrations during National Inventors Month that inspire and encourage solutions to everyday challenges.

September 25 - Safe Science - Explore back-to-school, driving and traffic safety as well as engineering advancements that make everyone safer.

October 30 - Spooky Science - Participate in a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt, watch robotic pumpkin carving or enjoy fun science tricks and treats.

November 27 - Cornucopia of Science - Celebrate the science of nature's bounty during Thanksgiving weekend.

December 18 - Science of the Season - Enjoy frosty science fun that explores the essence of snowflakes, ice and all the wonders of the season.

For more information on Ford FREE FunDays at The New Detroit Science Center, please call 313.577.8400 or go to http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org/

The New Detroit Science Center features 110,000 square feet of scientific exploration, including Michigan's only IMAX(R) Dome Theatre; the Dassault Systemes Planetarium; the Ford Learning Resource Center; the DTE Energy Sparks Theater; the DaimlerChrysler Science Stage; an 8,700 square-foot Science Hall for traveling exhibits; five exhibit laboratories -- General Motors Motion Laboratory, Dow Foundation Life Sciences Laboratory, Waves & Vibrations Laboratory, Jean and Sam Frankel Matter & Energy Laboratory and SBC Children's Gallery; and a Special Events Lobby. It has served more than 1.3 million visitors since its grand re-opening on July 28, 2001. For more information, please call 313-577-8400 or visit the website, http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org/

Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, supports programs that enhance and enrich the communities where Ford Motor Company does business. Ford Motor Company Fund is committed to creating educational opportunities that stimulate creativity and promote cultural diversity. In 2004, Ford Motor Company Fund contributed more than $50 million to educational pipeline initiatives and cultural programs, including nationally touring exhibitions and performing arts events. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund, visit http://www.ford.com/ .