May 28, 2026 · 34 min · 11 segments
For Lauren, STEM is about more than science experiments. In this episode of *The Story Place*, Lauren shares why STEM education matters for young people today and how curiosity, creativity, and…
Lauren HunterGuestHost, The Story PlaceHostCo-Host, The Story PlaceHostTom[upbeat music] Welcome to The Story Place, a storytelling podcast from the YMCA of Snohomish County.
Here, we share real stories of people, place, and connection.
Past to present, these are stories of belonging, growth, and impact because there's no place like this place.
Our guest today is affectionately known around the Y as our resident scientist.
A University of Washington graduate in aquatic fisheries science-ies [laughs], Lauren created our YMCA STEM program from the ground up, which now serves around 400- 4,400 kids a year.
She attended Penny Creek Elementary as a student and started her career there providing before and after school care.
She also recently helped harvest a gray whale.
Loves video games, astrology, and is a proud pomplemoose Lacroix fan and [laughs] a cat parent to Bubba.
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[upbeat music] Welcome to The Story Place, a storytelling podcast from the YMCA of Snohomish County.
Here, we share real stories of people, place, and connection.
Past to present, these are stories of belonging, growth, and impact because there's no place like this place.
Our guest today is affectionately known around the Y as our resident scientist.
A University of Washington graduate in aquatic fisheries science-ies [laughs], Lauren created our YMCA STEM program from the ground up, which now serves around 400- 4,400 kids a year.
She attended Penny Creek Elementary as a student and started her career there providing before and after school care.
She also recently helped harvest a gray whale.
Loves video games, astrology, and is a proud pomplemoose Lacroix fan and [laughs] a cat parent to Bubba.
