It Started With Straws and Tape. It Could End With Kansas City's Next Engineers.

In this episode of The Movement, the podcast from the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, host Mark Hulet visits Sunset Valley Elementary School in the Lee's Summit School District, where campers are learning about the digestive system by building it themselves with straws, paper, tape and other materials.

Richard Irwin, STEM educator with the Missouri AfterSchool Network, explains how the STEM Mobile Lab brings hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math activities to after-school programs across Missouri. He also discusses why STEM education supports more than career readiness – it helps young people develop critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and confidence.

Mark is also joined by YMCA Youth Development leaders Darcy Swan and Andi Gilbertson to explore the bigger picture behind YMCA summer day camp, before- and after-school care, social-emotional learning, financial assistance and the YMCA's growing STEAM Alliance with Kansas City-area engineering firms.

Learn how the YMCA of Greater Kansas City creates safe, engaging experiences where kids can build relationships, discover new interests and develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

To learn more about YMCA of Greater Kansas City visit https://kansascityymca.org/

👉 Stay connected with us!

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kansascityymca

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ymcakansascity/

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/kansascityymca

🧵 Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ymcakansascity

00:00 Welcome to The Movement Podcast

00:40 Inside YMCA Summer Day Camp

01:44 What Is the STEM Mobile Lab?

03:38 Why STEM Education Matters

07:42 How the Hands-On Activity Works

09:16 Why STEM Continues to Grow

10:51 Debunking Myths About STEM

13:11 The Bigger Picture of YMCA Youth Development

13:55 What YMCA Summer Day Camp Looks Like

14:54 What Makes YMCA Camp Different

18:30 A YMCA Camper's First Camp Experience

19:21 YMCA Before- and After-School Programs

25:42 How Kids Grow Through YMCA Programs

27:25 Financial Assistance for Families

29:17 Recruiting and Training YMCA Camp Staff

31:52 Introducing the YMCA STEAM Alliance

35:38 What's Next for YMCA Youth Development

38:21 How to Get Involved with the Y