Full STE(A)M Ahead!

It takes a village to raise a kid. You've probably heard this expression before.

But did you know it takes a kid to raise a village! 

It's true! 

Where there are happy and healthy kids you will find a happy and healthy community.

That's why, at the Yes Network, we are on a mission to ensure that ALL kids in Central Minnesota have the resources and support they need to grow, learn, and lead.  

Here's the problem:  Many kids from low-income families in St. Cloud, MN do not have access to quality out-of-school learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and many do not see themselves reflected in these fields of study. This disparity in education has been exacerbated in light of Covid-19.

And now, the opportunity!   

With your support, the Yes Network will launch the Full STE(A)M Ahead! project, a community-based initiative to develop young leaders and increase access to after-school STEM and Art activities in apartment buildings throughout St. Cloud, MN.

Building on the success of previous initiatives, the Full STE(A)M Ahead project will pair high school students with college mentors from a nearby university who are studying to become teachers in STEM fields. High schoolers will also attend leadership training sessions with professionals from the Yes Network. 

With their newfound knowledge and interest in STEM + Art, and with their leadership development training, program participants will in turn lead afterschool activities for young children in their respective neighborhoods. A great opportunity to utilize our new neighborhood STEM Boxes! (More here.)

This project gives young people an opportunity to add value to their community. And by gaining early exposure to STEM + Art subjects and diverse mentors in the field, participants will be likely to pursue these subjects on their own and see themselves in leadership positions both in the classroom and the community.

So please join us as we look to the future, support young leaders, and move Full STE(A)M Ahead!