Third annual festival welcomed 52 National STEM Champions, featured leaders from across government and industry, and opened I Street to the public for a day of hands-on STEM experiences

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The third annual National STEM Festival®, powered by EXPLR, concluded Saturday after bringing together the nation’s brightest young innovators, industry leaders, educators, policymakers and families for three days celebrating American ingenuity as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. The event drew nearly 2,900 visitors from 45 states and territories, featuring 45 speakers and mentors, 52 student exhibitors, 22 organization exhibitors, and 29 live sessions.

AI-powered surgical systems, energy transition, cancer diagnostics and more
The festival featured 52 National STEM Champions representing 40 states and four U.S. territories, selected from thousands of applicants with an acceptance rate of 5%. More than 60 percent of this year’s champions are young women. Students in grades 7–12 showcased PhD-level research, patent-pending inventions, and advanced prototypes addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, sustainability and energy.

Throughout the festival, student Champions presented their work to hundreds of attendees, including leaders from business, government, academia and the scientific community during the festival’s VIP & Media Showcase, participated in podcasts paired with industry experts, and shared their projects with the public during Open Build Day.

“This year’s National STEM Festival demonstrated what’s possible when young innovators are given the opportunity to share their ideas with the people shaping the future of science, technology and industry,” said Jenny Buccos, co-founder and CEO of EXPLR and co-director, National STEM Festival. “These students aren’t imagining tomorrow – they’re building it now.”

Live Q&A broadcast from the International Space Station
One of the festival’s signature moments was a live question-and-answer session with astronaut Chris Williams, who spoke with students directly from the International Space Station during a live broadcast, giving students the opportunity to discuss space exploration and STEM careers with an astronaut currently in orbit.

The festival also featured keynote conversations, demonstrations and remarks from leaders across government and industry, including executive leadership from Boeing, IBM, COSI, Dell Technologies, OPSWAT, Qualcomm, Roblox, Siemens USA, Waymo, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and other organizations advancing STEM education and innovation nationwide.

Open Build Day hosted families for hands-on fun
The festival concluded Saturday with Open Build Day, a free public expo that transformed The Square and I Street into an interactive STEM showcase for visitors of all ages. Families participated in more than 20 hands-on experiences led by industry and community partners, including:

The Curiosity Cube™, where visitors conducted synthetic biology experiments alongside MilliporeSigma scientists.The ACE Mobile Lab, featuring advanced manufacturing technologies including CNC machining and composites.The Future of Making, On Wheels featured a traveling lab packed with the real machines shaping advanced manufacturing.Waymo, where attendees explored a fully autonomous vehicle and learned how self-driving technology works.

The National STEM Festival is an official programming partner of America250, joining organizations advancing innovation and STEM education as the nation marks 250 years. The Festival is made possible by a coalition of organizations across industry, government, and academia investing in the next generation of talent. See the full list of supporters and partners on the festival website.

Press interested in post-event coverage can access a recap video, image selects and more in the folder here.

About EXPLR
EXPLR builds the future-ready talent pipeline by connecting curiosity to career. Students aged 13-19 engage in real-world, career-connected learning through digital content, industry-validated credentials, and live events. The ecosystem includes the National STEM Festival, EXPLR Edge® digital credentials, and programs that enable employers to discover, connect with, and invest in emerging talent. Visit EXPLR.com.

Media Contact
Actum for EXPLR / National STEM Festival
teamexplr@actumllc.com

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SOURCE EXPLR

The article explains how business structure decisions can affect taxes, payroll responsibilities, and long-term growth planning.

What is the difference between an LLC and an S-Corp for a growing small business?

FRANKLIN, Ind., June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HelloNation has published an article that provides the answer, drawing on insights from Tax Expert Joshua Case, CPA, and the American Tax Service LLC Team in Franklin, Indiana. The article explores how business owners can evaluate business structure options as their companies expand and financial circumstances evolve.

The HelloNation article explains that many entrepreneurs start with a limited liability company for its flexibility and ease of administration. An LLC offers liability protection while allowing profits and losses to pass directly through to the owner’s personal tax return. The article notes that this structure often appeals to new business owners because it typically entails fewer administrative requirements and offers flexible management options.

As companies experience small business growth, owners frequently revisit whether their original business structure continues to support their goals. According to the article, one option that often comes up in the discussion is an S-Corporation tax election. The article explains that an S-corp is typically a tax classification that eligible LLCs or corporations can elect rather than a completely separate type of entity.

A primary reason business owners consider S-corp status is the possibility of payroll tax savings. The article describes how profits in a traditional LLC are generally subject to self-employment taxes. When an LLC elects S-corp taxation, however, the owner typically receives a salary through payroll and pays payroll taxes on that compensation. Additional profits may be distributed separately, potentially reducing exposure to self-employment taxes.

The article emphasizes that reasonable compensation plays a central role in this arrangement. Business owners must ensure that salaries paid through payroll comply with IRS standards. Tax Experts Joshua Case, CPA, and the American Tax Service LLC Team explain through the article that businesses often begin exploring S-corp status when profits consistently exceed what would be considered reasonable compensation for the owner’s work.

While potential tax advantages can be meaningful, the article also highlights the added responsibilities that accompany an S-Corporation tax election. Business owners must process payroll, maintain detailed payroll records, submit employment tax filings, and comply with ongoing reporting requirements. The article notes that these obligations can increase administrative complexity compared to a standard LLC structure.

The HelloNation article further explains that consistent profitability is often one of the strongest indicators that a business should evaluate S-corp status. Companies generating enough income to support owner compensation while still producing additional profits may find value in reviewing this option. At the same time, owners should assess whether they are prepared to manage the added compliance and recordkeeping requirements.

Future plans also influence the decision. The article describes how businesses anticipating additional employees, expansion, or increased profits may find that a different business structure better supports long-term tax-planning objectives. Other companies may determine that maintaining the simplicity and flexibility of an LLC remains the most practical approach despite potential payroll tax savings.

The article concludes that there is no universal answer for every business owner. Instead, the most effective choice depends on financial performance, operational priorities, and future goals. Tax Expert Joshua Case, CPA, and the American Tax Service LLC Team emphasize in the article that regularly reviewing business structure can help ensure tax strategies remain aligned with evolving business needs.

LLC vs S-Corp for Growing Small Businesses features insights from Joshua Case, CPA, and the American Tax Service LLC Team, Tax Experts of Franklin, Indiana, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

New Editorial Content Examines the Role of Authentic Nature Photography in Building Public Understanding and Environmental Awareness

ATLANTA, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Saswat Panda Photography has released a new feature examining how honest wildlife storytelling can strengthen conservation efforts and encourage a deeper public connection with the natural world. Published through the company’s online platform, the feature explores the growing importance of authenticity in nature photography at a time when digital media increasingly rewards attention-grabbing imagery over meaningful environmental narratives.

The newly released content reflects Saswat Panda Photography’s ongoing focus on responsible visual storytelling and wildlife photography ethics. Through the feature, the company discusses how photographers can contribute to conservation goals by documenting real ecological challenges, animal behavior, and habitat conditions in ways that educate audiences rather than simply entertain them.

Examining the Relationship Between Photography and Conservation

The feature centers on a question that continues to gain relevance within conservation media: can photography do more than capture beautiful images? According to the editorial, the answer depends largely on the stories photographs communicate and the context that accompanies them.

Wildlife photography has long served as a bridge between people and places they may never visit. Images from remote forests, wetlands, mountains, and coastlines often provide the public’s first exposure to species and ecosystems facing environmental pressure. Saswat Panda Photography argues that this influence carries responsibility.

Rather than focusing exclusively on dramatic moments or visually striking encounters, the feature highlights the value of photographs that help viewers understand ecological relationships, conservation challenges, and the realities facing wildlife populations. The company notes that these narratives often create stronger and more lasting engagement than images designed solely for immediate visual impact.

Moving Beyond Spectacle

One theme explored throughout the feature is the growing tension between authenticity and spectacle in modern wildlife photography.

Digital platforms have made it easier than ever for photographers to share their work with large audiences. At the same time, the demand for attention can encourage content that prioritizes surprise, rarity, or dramatic presentation. Saswat Panda Photography suggests that this trend can sometimes overshadow the educational potential of conservation imagery.

The feature argues that audiences benefit most when photographs are presented within a broader environmental context. Understanding where an image was made, what ecological conditions were present, and why a species matters can transform a photograph from a fleeting visual experience into a meaningful conservation story.

According to the editorial, honest storytelling does not require exaggeration. Nature already contains complexity, beauty, and challenge. Photographers who document these realities accurately can help foster a stronger appreciation for the environments they photograph.

Why Context Matters

Another focus of the newly released feature is the importance of context in conservation communication.

A single wildlife image can communicate emotion and curiosity, but without supporting information, viewers may struggle to understand its significance. Saswat Panda Photography emphasizes that captions, written narratives, and educational content play an important role in helping audiences connect photographs to broader environmental issues.

The feature points to examples where wildlife images have helped raise awareness about habitat loss, ecosystem restoration efforts, and species recovery initiatives. In these cases, photography served not only as visual documentation but also as an entry point for learning.

Saswat Panda Photography notes that conservation messaging becomes more effective when people understand the story behind an image. Photographs gain additional value when they contribute to public understanding rather than existing in isolation.

Building Trust Through Authentic Representation

Trust remains a recurring theme throughout the feature. Saswat Panda Photography argues that authenticity is essential for maintaining credibility with audiences who increasingly seek transparency from content creators and media sources.

The editorial discusses how responsible field practices contribute to that trust. Respecting wildlife, avoiding unnecessary disturbance, and accurately representing natural behavior help ensure that photographs reflect genuine conditions rather than manufactured scenarios.

Saswat Panda Photography explains that honest representation benefits both conservation communication and the photography profession itself. When audiences believe that images are created responsibly and presented accurately, they are more likely to engage with the underlying message.

The feature also notes that trust becomes especially important when photographers address environmental challenges. Conservation efforts often rely on public support, and credible storytelling can play an important role in fostering that support.

A Long-Term Approach to Visual Storytelling

The newly published feature encourages photographers to think beyond short-term engagement metrics and focus on long-term impact.

While viral images may generate immediate attention, Saswat Panda Photography suggests that lasting influence often comes from consistent, thoughtful storytelling. Photographs that reveal environmental realities, document change over time, or highlight lesser-known conservation issues can continue providing value long after their initial publication.

The company argues that meaningful conservation photography requires patience, observation, and a willingness to prioritize substance over immediate visibility. This approach may not always produce the fastest results, but it often leads to stronger educational outcomes.

Within the feature, Saswat Panda Photography presents storytelling as an ongoing process rather than a collection of isolated images. Each photograph contributes to a broader narrative about wildlife, ecosystems, and the relationship between people and nature.

Supporting Greater Public Engagement

The release of the feature is part of Saswat Panda Photography’s broader effort to publish educational content focused on ethical wildlife photography and responsible conservation communication.

By making these discussions accessible to photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, and general audiences, the company hopes to encourage more thoughtful conversations about how nature is represented through visual media.

The feature suggests that conservation photography can play a meaningful role in public engagement when it prioritizes understanding over spectacle. Honest stories help audiences connect environmental issues to real places, real species, and real conservation challenges.

According to the editorial, people are more likely to care about what they understand. Photography that encourages learning and reflection can therefore become an important tool for building support for conservation efforts.

Continuing the Conversation

With the publication of this new feature, Saswat Panda Photography continues to expand its library of editorial content focused on ethical wildlife photography, visual storytelling, and environmental awareness.

The company believes that photographers occupy a unique position within conservation communication. By documenting the natural world accurately and thoughtfully, they can help audiences move beyond passive observation and develop a deeper appreciation for the ecosystems that sustain wildlife.

Through this latest feature, Saswat Panda Photography reinforces its view that honest storytelling remains one of the most valuable contributions photography can make to conservation. As environmental challenges continue to evolve, the company maintains that authenticity, context, and credibility will remain essential components of effective visual communication.

About Saswat Panda Photography

Saswat Panda Photography is a photography platform focused on wildlife imagery, ethical field practices, and conservation storytelling. Through editorial content and visual documentation, the company explores the relationship between photography, environmental awareness, and responsible representation of the natural world.

Media Contact

Saswat Panda Photography
Atlanta, GA, United States
Phone: (404) 555-2379
Email: saswat@saswatphotography.com
Website: https://saswatpandageorgia.com/

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