Science Museum of Minnesota celebrates 10th anniversary of groundbreaking STEM Freedom School program

Museum to host Youth Science Day on July 17, bringing together over 1,700 students from across Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. – This summer, the Science Museum of Minnesota celebrates the 10th year of its pioneering STEM Freedom School, a six-week educational tradition geared toward maintaining literacy during the summer. The program culminates in Youth Science Day on Thursday, July 17, 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. 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 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 St. Paul City School and 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 Thursday, July 17, 2025, 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. 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. 

This program is organized under the museum’s Center for Equity and Systems Change, which aims to create systems-level impact by combining successful museum programs to advance equity, inclusion and sustainability both within the museum and in broader regional/national initiatives. Key initiatives include workforce innovations that prepare diverse young people for STEM careers while helping employers adapt to more socially conscious workers, along with various professional development programs and systems-change convening efforts.

Images from the program and past Youth Science Days are available; contact pr@smm.org. Interviews and live coverage opportunities are also available.