The Rutgers Science Explorer has its roots in Rutgers' Math and Science Learning Center (MSLC), an academic support and outreach center on Rutgers' Busch campus in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Math and Science Learning Center provides tours of its hands-on demonstrations and science instruction to a limited number of visiting school groups. The MSLC staff's vision of bringing its hands-on science activities and demonstrations to more New Jersey middle school students was made possible by the generosity of the Edison Venture Fund, which provided funding for the purchase of a customized mobile laboratory. The Ohio-based company, OBS Inc., collaborated with Rutgers' MSLC staff to design the mobile laboratory, the Rutgers Science Explorer. Innovative activities developed by fellows who are participating in the National Science Foundation-funded GK–12 Program at Rutgers provide the inspiration for many of the activities that are offered on the Rutgers Science Explorer.