RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina’s capital city is now home to a one-of-a kind interactive power grid exhibit uniquely designed and constructed for children.

Kid Grid is located in downtown Raleigh’s Marbles Kids Museum and is funded by a $1 million grant from power and automation technology firm ABB. The exhibit opened on Saturday.

Kid Grid playfully introduces young children to electricity and power grid technology through hands-on, minds-on play. Kids explore a pretend power grid and learn how to make smart energy choices.

The exhibit promotes early learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, inspiring the next generation of great minds through interaction and energy simulation to power up a bright future. Housed in a new addition at Marbles, Kid Grid marks the first change to the museum’s exterior since Marbles opened in 2007.

ABB employees and families collaborated with Team Marbles during initial design, brainstorming creative ways to get kids talking about energy. Engineers and experts from ABB continued to provide guidance and knowledge throughout design and construction to ensure Kid Grid accurately reflects a real power grid. Kid Grid is complete with play versions of cables, control systems, motors, towers and transformers as well as real equipment provided by ABB.

ABB and Marbles announced the project in October 2012 as the single-largest gift in the museum’s history.

North Carolina’s Research Triangle has quickly developed into a technology hub. Earlier this year, President Obama announced the creation of a National Network of Manufacturing Innovation institutes. ABB was named one of the companies involved in the research and development for the institute, which is located at NC State University and has a focus on power electronics.

“The Triangle is the perfect location for an innovative exhibit like Kid Grid,” said Sally Edwards, president of Marbles Kids Museum. “Opportunities in energy and technology-related fields are expanding in our area, and Marbles is a leader in providing creative STEM learning experiences for children growing up here.”

ABB’s North American corporate headquarters is based in Cary, and ABB’s Power Products/Power Systems divisional headquarters is located on NC State University’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh.

ABB employs more than 800 people in the Triangle and nearly 2,000 throughout North Carolina.