Our Philosophy

The Museum’s Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC) serves as a resource for youth, their families, and community partners through our mission to empower youth to change our world through science. Since 1996, our programming pathway spanning ages 6-25 prepares young people for careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), education, civic engagement, and community leadership. We provide various forms of after-school programming in schools, at the museum, and in the community. The journey begins with Design Team, spanning grades K-8 (ages 5–14), continues through high school (ages 15-18), and extends into the post-secondary years through paid internships and staff positions (ages 19–25). 

Programming encompasses STEM education as a way to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills necessary for modern life and work. We emphasize hands-on learning, collaboration, and real-world applications, preparing youth to tackle complex challenges. We aim to inspire a generation of informed and civically engaged citizens who are able to contribute to a more just and equitable society. 

We also leverage our powerful STEM Justice model to develop youth from learners to teachers and leaders, and ultimately to socially conscious, civically engaged citizens actively building opportunities for self and others. The STEM Justice pedagogy was made possible by a five-year National Science Foundation grant (DRL-1612782), which resulted in the KAYSC establishing a groundbreaking STEM Justice toolkit and professional development curriculum demonstrating how STEM can be used to solve social justice issues. With it, we aim to: 

• Address unsafe cultural norms that many women and people of color experience when they enter the STEM field resulting in low retention rates; 
• Bridge western science and Indigenous traditional knowledge to critically analyze and understand the world around us – naturally, socially and politically;
• Challenge traditional thoughts about STEM fields; and 
• Develop socially conscious, civically engaged citizens who are actively building opportunities for self and others.

Freedom School

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. It was designed to meet the needs of BIPOC youth in Saint Paul’s Frogtown and Summit-University neighborhoods — communities that continue to face wide opportunity gaps.

The six-week summer program continues a proud educational tradition that dates back to 1964, when civil rights activists from the Children’s Defense Fund 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. After the initial Freedom Summer project, the concept evolved and inspired similar educational initiatives across the country.

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 150-200 students from kindergarten through grade 8, igniting both a passion for reading and a love of learning. Curriculum is grounded in the museum’s STEM Justice framework, which empowers scholars to challenge oppression, pursue justice, and build community well-being. 

The museum hosts one of 13 Freedom Schools in Minnesota. Each year the majority of these come together to celebrate Youth Science Day, a culminating celebration with over 1,700 participants. The museum is closed to the public that day — the only day outside of holidays that the museum is closed.

STEM Freedom School and Youth Science Day festivities are made possible by generous financial and volunteer support.

Design Team

Design Team programming for middle school age youth offers an immersive STEM exploration experience where participants dive deep into science, technology, engineering, and math through engaging, hands-on projects that bring learning to life. Rather than simply reading about concepts in textbooks, youth actively build, experiment, and create while discovering how cutting-edge technology operates in the real world. This experiential approach helps you connect scientific principles to your daily experiences, making abstract concepts tangible and relevant.

Design Team member youth cultivate essential leadership and communication abilities through collaborative problem-solving and project presentations. This programming  enhances youth’s interest in STEM subjects, while also preparing them for future career opportunities, and positions you as a confident contributor in your community. The program emphasizes not just technical knowledge, but also the soft skills that employers value most – critical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication.

High School

The High School program allows youth grades 9-12 to launch their  employment journey while making a real impact in your community. High school program participants join the KAYSC as paid museum employees, allowing them to develop professionally while deepening their STEM knowledge and skills, developing relationships with peers, and tackling challenges in our community. This isn’t just a job: it’s a transformative experience that builds essential leadership capabilities, deepens  STEM expertise, and positions youth as agents for positive change in their communities.

Through hands-on work in our specialized programs, youth gain valuable real-world experience while discovering their passions and potential career paths. High School program participants collaborate with peers who share their interests and ambitions, forming lasting connections with like-minded peers who are equally committed to personal growth and community service. This supportive network becomes a foundation for future academic and professional success.

High school programming is led by young adults who represent the diverse backgrounds of our youth. KAYSC “Crew Managers” develop relevant and engaging activities, while also providing mentorship for high school youth. Develop communication skills, patience, and confidence that will serve you throughout your life. Many of our high school participants describe the mentoring experience as one of the most rewarding aspects of their involvement, as they witness firsthand how their guidance helps younger students build confidence and discover their own potential.

Our high school program is focused on four main STEM areas:

• Biological Sciences and Public Health
• Media and Technology
• Environmental Sciences and Sustainability
• Engineering and Design

Each program combines rigorous skill development with practical application, ensuring you graduate with both the technical knowledge and professional experience that colleges and employers value most.

Post-Secondary

Young adult support 

KAYSC’s pathway extends beyond high school through paid opportunities that advance young adults’ careers while supporting our programs. Positions include Design Team Instructors (leading K-8 afterschool programming), Crew Managers (supervising high school youth projects at the museum and in the community), and STEM Justice Interns (facilitating STEM activities at local organizations).

KAYSC supports participants from middle school through post-secondary transition and beyond. Starting in middle school, students and families learn about academic and career pathways through college and career exploration activities. High schoolers receive structured support including individualized advising, portfolio development, college visits, and career fairs. When funding allows, KAYSC continues supporting graduates as they pursue post-secondary education and livable-wage STEM employment.

Post-secondary readiness 

To strengthen post-secondary outcomes, we integrate industry-aligned STEM content across all programs — Design Team, High School, and Young Adult — ensuring every participant gets early access to industry relevant knowledge and tools. We partner with STEM employers to create rigorous learning opportunities and meaningful engagement between participants, staff, and industry professionals.

The KAYSC also supports middle and high school participants with post-secondary preparation programming. This includes a series of age appropriate activities for youth and families that will increase the likelihood of KAYSC graduates’ 1) post secondary education participation and 2) family sustaining employment. 

The KAYSC’s core programming provides a strong skill development foundation through a variety of age appropriate activities that foster social and emotional, STEM, and social justice and civic engagement development. Additionally, youth who participate in the high school program are part of a work-based learning program that is designed to simulate a work environment. 

Moving forward, the post secondary program will complement the KAYSC’s core programming by providing opportunities for all participants to engage in activities that prepare them for successful transition into post secondary education and employment. 

Strategic Partnerships

The KAYSC’s mission to empower youth through STEM Justice requires deep collaboration across multiple sectors. Our strategic partnerships fall into three key categories: industry and workforce partners, educational institutions, and community-based organizations. These partnerships are essential to creating meaningful pathways from K-8 through post-secondary success while ensuring our programming remains responsive to both youth needs and workforce demands.

Industry and workforce partners like Trane Technologies, Best Buy Foundation, and Pentair provide more than financial support: they offer authentic connections to STEM careers through skills marketplace sessions, work-based learning opportunities, and industry-aligned credentialing programs. These partnerships allow KAYSC youth to engage directly with STEM professionals, explore career pathways, and earn credentials like Data Analytics and Decarbonization certifications. By working closely with employers, we ensure our programming reflects current workforce needs while simultaneously challenging these partners to create more equitable and inclusive workplace cultures through IDEAL Center professional development.

Educational partnerships with St. Paul Public Schools, St. Paul College, and Metropolitan State University create a continuum of support from middle school through post-secondary education. School partnerships provide access to youth who would benefit most from our programs, while higher education partnerships support our Design Team Instructors through paid academic coursework and teacher pathway development. Collaborative projects like the St. Croix Watershed Research Station‘s Geopaths initiative and the Teacher Apprenticeship Coalition expand our reach while connecting youth to research opportunities and career pathways in fields like geosciences and education.

Community-based partnerships with organizations like the Children’s Defense Fund and local youth-serving agencies ensure our work remains grounded in the communities we serve. These partnerships enable us to reach youth in nearby St. Paul, co-facilitate STEM Justice programming, and address community-identified issues through youth-led action research. We’re helping to build cross-sector collaborations that bring together government agencies, funders, educators, and community organizations to create collective impact models addressing educational and societal disparities through an intergenerational, equity-centered approach.