As technology reshapes the workforce, opportunity is growing fastest for workers fluent in STEM skills like data literacy, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. Yet too many young people lack meaningful exposure to careers or chances to build these skills in real-world settings. What America’s youth needs now is widespread access to hands-on learning opportunities that go beyond the classroom — with high-quality experiences designed to help them discover their passions, build durable skills, and connect to real career pathways.
Fewer than half of US teens have attended a job fair, visited a workplace or spoken to a career advisor, and only a third feel “very prepared” for life after high school.
9 in 10 job postings require durable skills such as problem solving, teamwork, communication, and leadership — but more than half of U.S. employers report difficulty finding applicants with these skills.
Today, just 13% of kids in the U.S. have access to out-of-school STEM experiences that are proven to increase interest, skills, and career readiness — leaving millions without access to growing economic opportunity.
STEM Next is a national nonprofit leading the movement to make the power of STEM discovery available to all young people through afterschool and summer programs. Our systems-based approach has engaged 12.5 million young people in STEM across the nation — and we’re on a mission to excite 20 million more by 2030.
We’re exciting young people’s curiosity and confidence in STEM through career-connected learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
We’re leading the national movement to expand access to high-quality STEM experiences outside of school.
Our efforts over the past decade have scaled programs that built STEM capacity in more than 200,000 programs nationwide and engaged more than 450,000 educators across all 50 states.
“Nurturing the future of STEM.”
Alejandra Ceja
Executive Director, Panasonic Foundation
“Transformational for thousands and thousands of youth”
Susan Stanton
Act Now Illinois
“Changed the landscape of how we provide support to youth programs across the state”
Billy Mawhiney
Executive Director, South Dakota Afterschool Network
No one understands this work better. Building, growing and expanding access to afterschool and summer STEM is who we are–and we have the track record to prove it.
Our work has positively impacted more than 15 million young people through out-of-school STEM.
Local afterschool and summer programs have been directly impacted by our work.
Our comprehensive resources have supported more than 450,000 out-of-school educators nationwide.
100% of the 2023 Flight Crew program participants reported that they feel like they belong in STEM.
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Help us shape the future for a STEM-ready generation.
