Support science for our future. Make a gift to the Science Center’s Curiosity Fund to help support STEM education programs like Youth Exploring Science.
Teens in the Science Center’s Youth Exploring Science (YES) Program gathered inside the McDonnell Planetarium on July 20 for the 2023 YES Networking Extravaganza, where 64 YES Teens had the opportunity to meet with over 30 professionals from a variety of careers and backgrounds to learn about the types of careers available after high school and college, as well as practice important networking skills and discover the power of connections.
For this year’s YES Networking Extravaganza, local KMOV news anchor Maurice Drummond served as the event’s emcee, delivering opening remarks and interviewing a number of attendees, including President of Urban Golf of Greater St. Louis and YES alumnus Jerome Harris. Drummond also spoke with recent YES graduates Alonzo Battle and Cetris Ivy, as well as Kayden Ramsay-Alexander and Nehtia Hazelwood, two current YES Teens.
During the event, the YES Teens took turns visiting each table to speak with the professionals, ask questions, and get inspiration for careers they may not have considered.
“I got some really great advice on how to get my career started,” said YES Teen Rayne.
For YES Teen Du’Rae, the event was an opportunity to dig deeper into engineering: “I was inspired to learn a lot more about engineering, especially aerospace and mechanical engineering.”
Check out the 2023 YES Networking Extravaganza recap video produced by the YES Teens in the Media Arts component:
Attendee organizations included Boeing, Nestle Purina, Bayer, Enterprise, Ameren, and more, offering the YES Teens a chance to meet professionals across a variety of STEM fields and learn more about the range of careers available.
YES Teen Zionna attended the event and said, “I liked meeting people at the Boeing table. A friend and I were able to discuss getting internships there.”
“I liked talking to the professionals about my medical field interests,” said YES Teen Zay. “It was really fun.”
Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s YES Networking Extravaganza!
Show your support for the YES Program.
Generous charitable gifts to the Science Center’s Curiosity Fund help support impactful STEM education programs like Youth Exploring Science.
For 25 years the Science Center’s YES Program has created a legacy of success by working with teens from underserved St. Louis neighborhoods throughout the teens’ high school years to help prepare them for the in-demand STEM careers of the future. STEM programming delivered by the YES Teens at the Science Center and in collaboration with the Science Center’s 60+ community partner organizations typically connects thousands of St. Louis community members with STEM learning each year.
Make a gift to the Curiosity Fund and help inspire the next generation of YES Teens.
Your Support
Support from donors, Science Center members, and Supporting-level members is instrumental in helping the Science Center continue offering connections to science for everyone in our region. If you’d like to show additional support for our mission, please consider donating to the Science Center’s Annual Fund, becoming a member, or becoming a Supporting-level member.
Your Impact
Want to learn more about how the Science Center and its supporters are making a difference for STEAM learning in the St. Louis region?
