Dear Friends of the Saint Louis Science Center,

With each new year, we wonder at the potential discoveries, advancements and breakthroughs we’ll see in science and technology and the ways they will impact each of us. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt our world and our daily lives, STEAM—science, technology, engineering, art and math—also continues to show its importance and its promise. We see it in the effectiveness of vaccines, potentially lifesaving new medicines and treatments and the heroic, resilient work of healthcare workers around the world. We also see it in the newly launched James Webb Space Telescope continuing our never-ending search for answers about our universe. And right here in our own backyard companies across the spectrum of science and technology—from aerospace and engineering to financial technology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and more—are demonstrating that St. Louis is a home for STEAM.

In fact, with recent reports like the STL 2030 Jobs Plan showing that our region’s future shines bright with possibility when it comes to science and technology, it’s more important than ever that we serve our community as a place to connect with curiosity. Thank you, as always, to our philanthropic partners, members and community. Every lightbulb moment our mission sparks is because of supporters like you.

In this issue of NewScience you’ll read about just some of the fun and exciting ways we’re continuing to bring STEAM to the St. Louis region, from our newest special exhibition, HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever, where guests will discover more about the science and history inside this exciting sport, to the ancient treasures in our latest Planetarium tunnel exhibit, Inside the Vault—the largest display of the Science Center’s Collections items in 30 years.

Read about what’s new in the GROW Gallery’s Root Towers exhibit, our Esports Program, First Fridays and more. I’m thrilled to see our community finding STEAM in such unique and surprising ways.

Learn how a partnership between the Science Center and the Sheldon Concert Hall is bringing the science of sound to local schools, and meet some of our senior-year YES Teens as they prepare to graduate from the program and step into the opportunities of STEAM. Our YES Teens achieve great things, and I cannot wait to see what they accomplish in the future.

Look close enough and you find that STEAM is everywhere. There’s always something new to discover, and truly, curiosity can connect us all.

Sincerely,

Todd Bastean
President & CEO

To ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning.

Mission of the Saint Louis Science Center