This week marks the first networking event for the Youth Exploring Science program housed in the Taylor Community Science Resource Center at the St. Louis Science Center.  YES is a structured work-based program launching fourteen-year-olds on a four-year journey of self-discovery providing them opportunities to explore scientific concepts through inquiry-based experiences and then to teach others.  In their teaching initiative YES teens take museum science education out into the community and facilitate science and mathematics activities.  YES teens begin as volunteers and then become employees of the Saint Louis Science Center earning minimum wages.  The invitation for the event is below.

Other educational programs in the St. Louis area for young Science, Math and Engineering students include a program started by my friend Dr. Ken Mares at the University of Missouri, St. Louis.  Students and Teachers As Research Scientists (STARS) is an incredible program that takes the best and brightest high school students (often with perfect SAT scores!) who are interested in pursuing careers in science, math and engineering research and launches them into a supportive and dynamic basic research environment.  Some of the collaborating institutions include Saint Louis University, Washington University, University of Missouri, St. Louis, and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.  Solutia is a longstanding sponsor of the program.  Ken and I worked for four years to pass state legislation to fund the program -- unfortunately we were unsuccessful -- but I keep a positive outlook for passing the legislation in the near future because it has become so important for the future of Missouri's standing in the global economy. 

Another resource for students and educators is provided by the Missouri Biotechnology Association.  I worked with Monsanto in 2001 to add this platform to MoBio's mission, and it is slowly-but-surely impacting many conversations regarding the future of Missouri's life sciences community.


The Saint Louis Science Center Requests Your Participation at the

Inaugural Youth Exploring Science Networking Extravaganza

July 25, 2008

The Saint Louis Science Center cordially invites you to attend a complimentary breakfast and/or luncheon as part of a special networking opportunity for teens in our Youth Exploring Science (YES) Program.  They are bringing together professionals from the Saint Louis area in hopes of building communication skills and bridging experiences to their aspiring careers. As role models and mentors to our YES teenagers, this event will give you a very unique opportunity to have direct impact on our teens by allowing them to practice professional skills in a realistic and safe environment.

The YES Program works with 250 teenagers facing multiple risk factors throughout the course of their high school career, providing them with a work-based, inquiry-learning environment that focuses on science, mathematics, and technology. Participants of YES gain professional, academic, and real world skills that assist in building self-confidence and personal success.

Please consider joining them for this special event, which will include a formal breakfast and luncheon and the opportunity to mingle with other community leaders and teenagers from the YES Program.  They understand that you are busy, so please feel free to pick either the breakfast or lunch session if you cannot attend the whole day.

Friday, July 25, 2008

9:00-11:30 a.m. or 12:00-2:30 p.m.

Please RSVP by Friday, July 18 by contacting Priscilla Thomas at (314) 289-1487 or via e-mail at pthomas@slsc.org. Hope to see you on July 25, 2008!