Museum to host Youth Science Day on July 16, bringing together over 1,700 students from across Minnesota
ST. PAUL, Minn. — This summer, the Science Museum of Minnesota celebrates 10 years of its pioneering STEM Freedom School, a six-week educational tradition geared toward maintaining literacy during the summer. Developed in collaboration with Emanuel Donaby, the program culminates in Youth Science Day on Wednesday, July 16, 2026, during which participants from all Freedom School locations in Minnesota visit the Science Museum in a day of celebration.
Since launching in 2015, the museum has distinguished itself as the only museum in the country to operate a Freedom School and remains among just a handful of programs nationwide that combine the historic Freedom School literacy model with hands-on STEM education.
The six-week summer program continues a proud educational tradition that dates back to 1964, when civil rights activists established Freedom Schools to provide educational opportunities to Black students in the segregated South. These original schools emphasized Black history, leadership development and civic engagement — subjects often excluded from segregated public schools. Marian Wright Edelman and the Children’s Defense Fund revived the program in 1995, and today all Freedom Schools across the country operate under the Children’s Defense Fund’s umbrella.
The Science Museum’s innovative approach combines traditional Freedom School elements — including the energizing daily Harambee opening ceremony where students “all pull together” — with afternoon hands-on activities that focus on using STEM to solve community problems. The program, one of the first in the country with a STEM approach, serves 130 students from kindergarten through grade 8, igniting both a passion for reading and a love of learning.
“Our STEM Freedom School represents the evolution of an important educational movement,” said Thulani Jwacu, director, Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center at the Science Museum of Minnesota. “We’re proud to carry forward the Freedom School tradition of culturally relevant education and community empowerment while inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.”
The free program, offered in partnership with the St. Paul Promise Neighborhood, includes weekly field trips and provides opportunities for youth and young adults to serve as Student Leader Interns, building valuable skills for future careers in STEM and education fields.
Youth Science Day: A Statewide Celebration
The program culminates with Youth Science Day on Wednesday, July 16, 2026, when the Science Museum will close its doors to the public for this exclusive celebration — the only non-holiday closure of the year. Over 1,700 participants from all 12 of Minnesota’s Freedom Schools will gather to explore exhibit galleries and experience an immersive journey in the museum’s Omnitheater.
The day begins with a special statewide Harambee ceremony, with one scholar chosen from each Minnesota Freedom School site to lead a portion of the opening activities — showcasing each school’s unique perspective through readings, songs, chants, spoken word and more. Guests from supporting organizations, legislative partners and museum staff will join in recognizing the achievements of students across the state.
“Youth Science Day showcases the incredible impact of Freedom Schools throughout Minnesota,” said Alison Brown, president and CEO, Science Museum of Minnesota. “It’s a powerful demonstration of how education can serve as a tool for social change and community organizing, just as the original Freedom School movement intended.”
The STEM Freedom School and Youth Science Day festivities are made possible through generous financial and volunteer support from TRANE Technologies, along with community volunteers who contribute to classroom setup, staff training, daily read-alouds and event coordination.
Images from the program and past Youth Science Days are available; contact [email protected]. Interviews and live coverage opportunities are also available.
About the Science Museum of Minnesota
The Science Museum of Minnesota is one of the state’s most beloved museums, with a reach that extends well beyond its riverfront location in downtown Saint Paul. Along with serving hundreds of thousands of people each year through its unique combination of cutting-edge technology, hands-on STEM exploration, and world-class collection of fossils and artifacts, the museum reaches schools in all 87 Minnesota counties; provides critical STEM workforce development and leadership training for youth; and conducts research on water quality, climate change, paleontology, and archaeology in locations around the world. Equity work is in the Science Museum’s DNA, demonstrated through its commitment to being a resource to the entire community – at a time when science and scientific learning and equitable access to STEM and STEM careers is more critical than ever. For more information, visit smm.org.
