Meet STEM Next’s 2025 Flight Crew: Our Largest Cohort Yet with 77 Youth STEM Ambassadors from Across the U.S.

The 2025 Flight Crew of STEM Next is ready for takeoff! We are proud to welcome these remarkable students from across the nation to our largest Flight Crew cohort to date. As members of our annual youth ambassador program, these 77 teens will represent their states throughout the year to share their stories on regional, state and national stages and inspire greater access to STEM opportunities in afterschool and summer programs.

Recognized by NASA, SXSW EDU, the National STEM Festival, and others, the Flight Crew has become a national model for how youth voices can help shape the future of STEM.

Since launching in 2022 with 16 members, the Flight Crew has grown into a flagship program of STEM Next with a national network of 111 alumni. The 2025 cohort includes 12 alumni who return to the program as mentors and advisors. This near-peer mentorship model strengthens confidence, builds leadership skills, and fosters long-term engagement in STEM.

As part of STEM Next’s mission to connect young people to career opportunities, Flight Crew members receive training in leadership development, public speaking, social media, resume-building, and interview preparation, plus connections to mentors and career role models who provide guidance as they pursue their STEM goals. In addition to building their own skills, they serve as ambassadors— sharing their stories to inspire their peers and draw more young people into STEM learning beyond the classroom.

“The Flight Crew proves what’s possible when young people are given the tools and a platform to lead,” said Ron Ottinger, Executive Director of STEM Next Opportunity Fund. “These youth are passionate, insightful, and ready to show the country how STEM experiences outside the classroom can change lives.”

The program’s continued growth is supported by national partners including Aramco, BAE Systems, General Motors, and Lockheed Martin.

Meet the 2025 Flight Crew!