On Thursday, July 17, the Saint Louis Science Center’s McDonnell Planetarium transformed into a hub of inspiration and connection at the annual Youth Exploring Science (YES) program Networking Extravaganza. This special morning event brought together YES teens with more than 55 professionals from across the St. Louis community, creating valuable opportunities to develop the communication and networking skills essential for future career success. The YES program provides exceptional youth with meaningful exposure to STEM concepts and science-related careers through hands-on experiences and connections with real STEM careers and professionals. YES teens don’t just learn about science—they connect with it, live it, and envision their place within it.
Opening Doors to Possibilities
Welcoming remarks from Siinya Williams, Senior Director of Community Science, captured the event’s goal: “We have a wide variety of careers represented here today, but the thing that stands out to me—and is often overlooked—is the role that STEM plays in each and every one of those fields. Whether you’re in medicine, engineering, aerospace, media, manufacturing, agriculture, communication, design, education, finance, government roles, non-profits or work for yourself, it’s impossible to be successful without a working knowledge of STEM.” Events like the YES Networking Extravaganza help open the teens’ eyes to the vast possibilities before them, showing how their passion for science can lead anywhere their dreams take them.
Meaningful Connections
The event facilitated valuable connections between the YES teens and the professionals who generously shared their time and expertise. Many of these professionals were themselves former YES program participants, creating a full-circle moment that demonstrated the long-term impact of the YES program. Of course, impactful events like the YES Networking Extravaganza wouldn’t be possible without each of the companies and organizations who provided professionals to engage with the YES teens. The Science Center’s deepest gratitude, however, goes to those organizations who demonstrate their commitment to STEM education by sharing their most valuable resource—their people—in addition to their ongoing philanthropic partnership. At the YES Networking Extravaganza, partners like Ameren, Boeing, Burns and McDonnell, CaseIH, Heartland Coca-Cola, the Missouri Farm Bureau, and Nestlé Purina stood as prime examples of this dual dedication, embodying their investment in nurturing tomorrow’s innovators. By providing comprehensive support, from financial partnership to personal engagement, they are helping sustain a powerful foundation for teens in the YES program to build upon. These relationships represent more than corporate responsibility; they reflect a shared vision of a future where today’s curious teens become tomorrow’s problem-solvers, leaders, and changemakers in the St. Louis community and beyond.
For the teens, the event was more than an opportunity to get career advice—it was a chance to practice an essential life skill. Networking isn’t just about meeting people; it’s about building relationships that broaden knowledge and open doors to future opportunities. The YES Networking Extravaganza shows that while approaching someone new can feel daunting, these conversations often become the foundation for lasting professional connections.
Looking Forward
Events like this are a reminder why the YES program exists: to nurture the next generation of STEM leaders by providing them with both knowledge and real-world connections. As the teens left the Planetarium that day, they took away more than just business cards and LinkedIn connections but also expanded horizons and increased confidence in their ability to shape their own futures.
Thank you to all the professionals who joined us and continue to support the YES program. These meaningful interactions don’t just benefit the YES teens—they strengthen the entire community by building bridges between today’s leaders and tomorrow’s innovators.
