# Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC)

The Science Museum of Minnesota's youth development program where high schoolers (grades 9-12) work as paid museum employees on STEM crews in public health, media and tech, environmental science, and engineering.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Science Museum of Minnesota |
| Category | stem |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | St. Paul, MN |
| Apply | https://smm.org/educators/kaysc/ |

## About this program

# Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC)

The Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center is the Science Museum of Minnesota's out-of-school youth development program in downtown St. Paul, designed to build leadership skills, career readiness, and confidence in STEM. High school participants join the KAYSC as paid museum employees, working on crews organized around four areas: biological sciences and public health, media and technology, environmental sciences and sustainability, and engineering and design.

## What You'll Do

- Work as a paid Science Museum of Minnesota employee while in high school
- Join a STEM crew focused on public health, media/technology, environmental sustainability, or engineering/design
- Build projects and programming that serve museum visitors and the community
- Develop professional skills alongside museum staff and STEM mentors
- Advance toward post-secondary roles such as Design Team Instructor, Crew Manager, or STEM Justice Intern (ages 19-25)

## Who Should Apply

St. Paul-area students in grades 9-12 who want real work experience in a science museum and a long-term pathway in STEM. Younger students (K-8) can start with KAYSC Design Team programming, and the pathway continues through paid post-secondary positions up to age 25.

## Outcomes

Participants earn a paycheck while gaining STEM and leadership experience, build a professional network inside a major museum, and can progress along a supported pathway from high school employment into post-secondary internships and staff roles.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC) cost?

Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC) is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC)?

Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC) is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC) online or in person?

Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC) is an in-person program based in St. Paul, MN.

### How do I apply to Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC)?

Apply directly through Science Museum of Minnesota's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-06.
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