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The 2025 REX Talks

The 2025 REX Talks

May 2025 · Back to stories

The Museum Apprentice Program (MAP) at The Children's Museum offers teens a unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience while making a positive impact on the community. MAPs are an integral part of the museum's culture, providing valuable assistance with exhibits and events while developing their own leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. It's a perfect way for teenagers to explore their interests, build their resumes, and contribute to a fun and inspiring environment.

The 2025 REX Talks

Each MAP cohort works together to plan, design, create, and complete a project. This year, the MAPs hosted REX Talks,* providing them the opportunity to present meaningful insights and discoveries that occurred during their experience with the Museum Apprentice Program. Jackson Thomas and Isabella Todd served as emcees and the evening covered a wide variety of topics, ranging from art, to memories, to brain development, to feminism, and much more!

Inspiration was the undeniable theme of the night at REX Talks, as MAP teens took to the stage to share powerful, personal stories that moved the audience and sparked reflection. 

Here are the amazing 2025 REX Talk presenters

Telling the Timeless Story

Katelyn Chen

Katelyn started the night talking about how stories transcend time and the importance of great storytelling. Throughout the museums 100 years, stories often highlight the past, embrace the present, and fuel the future. Being in the MAP program, they often get to hear inspiring stories and get to deliver them too!
Katelyn giving her REX talk behind a podium.
The Evolution of Paleo Art

Veronica Trevathan

Veronica delivered a fun and engaging talk on how dinosaurs "stomped their way" into her heart and inspired her future career in paleontology. Her use of humor, dynamic visuals—and yes, even a dinosaur-themed dress—captivated the crowd.
Veronica giving her REX Talk.
Nice to Meet You Again: A tale of getting lost and finding a MAP

Anna Liao

Anna shared a deeply personal and emotional story about surviving a serious medical condition that nearly stole her life—and her joy. She credited the Museum Apprentice Program (MAP) for giving her a lifeline, saying that without it, she may not have been standing on that stage. Her message was clear: MAP is not only changing lives—it’s saving them. 
Anna Liao giving her REX Talk.
Women in STEM and the Matilda Effect

Savannah Greenbaum

Savannah inspired with her powerful message about breaking barriers in medicine. Drawing on the concept of the Miranda Effect, she highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of women in science and confidently claimed her place in that legacy. Her voice echoed with purpose as she pledged to pave the way for the next generation of women in medicine.
Savannah behind a podium. Giant multicolored letters behind her on stage spell Rex.
The Wonder of Writing

Rory Trevathan

Rory encouraged aspiring writers to pursue their ideas without fear. Her message: if you have a story to tell, it deserves to be heard. Don’t let self-doubt stop you — your voice may resonate more than you realize.
Rory standing in the middle of the stage in front of a giant REX sign
How Memories Shape Us

Emma Foster

Emma used the tale of Winnie the Pooh's Hephalumps to discuss how growing up often means overcoming fears, and the ways that memories shape us into who we are. 
Emma standing behind a podium giving her presentation.
Turtle-y Me: How MAP helped me come out of my shell

Ava Liao

Ava talked about her transformation as a MAP, by way of turtle analogies. Growing up as a shy kid, she was often afraid to share her thoughts and ideas. She learned growth does not happen in isolation—which helped her come out of her shell. As a member of MAP, she now desires to inspire those with quiet curious minds. You are your own turtle, step outside and see the world is waiting for your voice!
Ava giving her presentation.

Each speaker left the audience with a renewed sense of courage, purpose, and belief in their own potential. REX Talks 2025 wasn’t just a night of speeches—it was a night of transformation.

Congratulations to our 2024–25 MAP team 

You all worked incredibly hard all year and it showed!

From the presenters who shared their stories, to the tech and decorating teams who helped create the look of the evening, as well as the teams who created promotional materials and entry activities—you all worked together and put on an amazing event!




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* "Real voices. Extraordinary ideas." The name is also inspired by our mascot Rex.
today at the museum