Science Center program outreaches to African-American youth
By Jessica Bassett Of the St. Louis American
At 17, Diamond Williams knows more about science than most adults. The senior at McCluer High School is already a pro at creating solar-powered cars, conducting energy using wind turbines and even extracting DNA from strawberries.
She is just one of many bright, talented teens inspired by St. Louis Science Center’s Youth Exploring Science (YES) program.
YES is a work-based training program that gives underprivileged high school students hands-on experience at learning school, life and job skills that focus on science, mathematics, technology and engineering. The program, developed 10 years ago by the St. Louis Science Center, is designed to make science fun, messy and challenging.
“Our goal was to think about how the Science Center could be a resource to the surrounding African-American community,” said Diane Miller, senior vice president of Community and Science Partnerships and Education.
“We looked at how often times in the community, kids don’t grow up with a real desire to become a zoologist or biologist. We developed a program in which kids will have a comfort and interest in science.”
Currently, there are about 120 teens a part of YES. Many of them learned about the program from family and friends while in middle school or were recruited from community-based organizations throughout the St. Louis area. They start out working as volunteers and then become full-time employees of the Science Center earning minimum wage. The teens participate in the program during all four of their high school years.
“I hope the students become informed decision makers and learn how to think for themselves,” Miller said. “We want to get them to start thinking about their academic careers. These are going to be the people that are going to make a cure for some of the diseases that are plaguing us.”
Out of the Taylor Community Science Resource Center, a 69,000-square-foot facility at 4900 Manchester, YES teens take on a number of science projects throughout the year. Their most exciting one was this summer when they built a geodesic dome greenhouse on the corner of Kingshighway and Manchester to grow fresh vegetables, flowers, fruits and herbs for the surrounding community.
Another big part of the program is teaching. Throughout the year, teens teach afterschool programs and facilitate science workshops for adults and kids who are interested in science.
To Autumn Gordon, the teaching is the hardest part of YES.
“Sometimes, it’s difficult dealing with kids,” Autumn said. “But working here has helped me with personal development, communication and patience. I learned how to interact and work with all different types of people.”
Diamond agreed. “I wasn’t much of a people person at first,” she said, “but I learned how to approach people to get the results needed and so they can understand it.”
After YES, most seniors of the program go on to attend college or higher technical training, and several have received scholarships for their participation in the program.
Diamond plans to go to Rolla in the fall and major in chemical engineering – something she said she knew very little about before joining YES.
“I’ve always loved science, but this program has helped me love engineering too,” she said.
Having been with YES for all four of her high school years, Diamond said she would miss YES just as much as she will miss home when she leaves for Rolla.
“If I need anything, I know that I can call Diane and anybody here,” she said. “This place gives you a comfort level that you can only feel at home.”
For more information on the St. Louis Science Center’s Youth Exploring Science (YES) program contact Diane Miller at 314-289-4400 or dmiller@slsc.org, or go to www.youthexploringscience.com.