OUR HISTORY

In 2024, educator Amanda Voss turned a lifelong dream into reality by founding Yavapai Exploration and Science (YES!). After more than fifteen years in education, Amanda envisioned a place where children and families could experience the excitement of hands-on discovery, ask questions, solve problems, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

 

Inspired by her passion for education and her daughter, Amanda believed every child deserves opportunities to explore, create, and discover through meaningful STEAM experiences. That vision became the foundation of YES!, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making high-quality, hands-on learning accessible to all families throughout Yavapai County.

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Although YES! began without a permanent home, the mission never waited for a building. Through partnerships with libraries, schools, parks, community organizations, and local events, YES! brought engaging STEAM programs directly into the community. What started as a small outreach initiative quickly grew into a countywide movement powered by volunteers, community partners, donors, and supporters who shared the belief that curiosity changes lives.

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In just over two years, YES! has impacted more than 34,000 children and family members through free community events, school programs, STEAM labs, camps, family activities, and educational outreach across Yavapai County.

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In 2026, YES! reached another exciting milestone by opening the YES! Exploration Center in downtown Prescott. The center serves as a hub for hands-on exploration, offering the Little Explorers Learning Lab for young children, STEAM labs for elementary-aged students, birthday parties, field trips, camps, family programs, and community events that inspire children to think critically, solve problems, and discover the world around them.

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Today, YES! continues to grow while remaining focused on its mission:

To inspire young minds to explore, discover, and protect the natural world through hands-on learning experiences.

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Our vision is to cultivate a community where curiosity is celebrated, creativity is encouraged, critical thinking is developed, and every child has the opportunity to become a confident lifelong learner.

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As we look toward the future, we are expanding programs, strengthening community partnerships, and working toward creating even more interactive exhibits and educational experiences that make STEAM accessible, engaging, and inspiring for generations to come.

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The story of YES! is still being written, and we're just getting started.

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Founding Board

• Amanda Voss, Founder

• Amber Ohnemus

• Samara Rice Cummings

• Carlene Voss

• Ariana Bennett

• Lindsey Whetstone