Join the STEM Next Flight Crew

To be eligible for the Flight Crew, youth applicants must meet these requirements:

1. Youth must be 13-18 years old at the time of application submission
2. Youth must reside in the United States.
3. Youth must be a participant or have participated in an out-of-school program, club, or other extracurricular activity focused on STEM. 
4. Youth must be willing to share their STEM stories publicly.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59PM EST Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. 

Applications for the 2027 program year must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST Oct. 29, 2026. Our team will review applications throughout November, and selected Flight Crew members can expect to be notified in December 2026. 

The application asks for basic information about you, your out-of-school STEM experiences, and your career interests. You’ll also submit a 1-minute introductory video, answer three short written questions, and upload a recent photo. 

Yes, applicants should review the 2027 Flight Crew Official Rules before submitting an application. The rules include full eligibility requirements, application guidelines, selection details and other terms for participation.

Yes. A core focus of the STEM Next Flight Crew is preparing young people to serve as ambassadors for STEM learning in afterschool and summer programs. As part of that experience, Flight Crew members are expected to participate in public-facing opportunities, including conferences, events, media interviews, videos, and/or social media. Members receive coaching and support to help them build confidence and develop these skills. Opportunities for public appearances vary based on each member’s interests, availability, experience and other factors.

Flight Crew members may have the opportunity to attend in-person engagements or events during their program year to participate in advocacy, storytelling, networking, or other unique STEM opportunities. Participation in any in-person event is encouraged but not required, and the ability to attend will not influence the selection process. Travel and related expenses are covered by STEM Next for invited participants.

The core program for the 2027 Flight Crew runs from January through June 2027. During this time, members are expected to participate in monthly virtual meetings, training sessions, and other program activities. After completing the core program, Flight Crew members become alumni and may choose to stay involved in the program as mentors for future cohorts, and be invited to future speaking engagements, events, media opportunities, and other STEM Next initiatives.

Flight Crew members are expected to attend one 1-hour virtual cohort session and one 30-minute small-group check-in each month. Additional opportunities may be offered throughout the program and are optional.

Flight Crew Zoom calls are held on a monthly basis, typically in the later evening to accommodate for a variety of time zones. If a Flight Crew member is unable to attend a call, a recording and call recap will be sent out afterwards via email.

Applications are reviewed holistically based on factors such as leadership potential, commitment to out-of-school-time STEM, communication skills, growth potential, and alignment with the Flight Crew program. We also consider building a cohort with diverse experiences and geographic representation from across the United States. Youth who are not selected are encouraged to apply again in future years.

Parents/guardians and program staff are critical supporters and champions of youth in their STEM journey. Parents/guardians and program staff do not participate directly in Flight Crew programming, meaning they do not attend monthly Zoom meetings and do not complete any projects. However, for in-person events, chaperones may be required to accompany minors.

Parents/guardians of Flight Crew members under the age of 18 will be asked to sign forms related to program participation, such as permission forms for in-person events and media releases

Young people applying to the Flight Crew should be comfortable talking about their experiences with out-of-school-time STEM. Youth do not currently need to be doing advocacy or promotional work in their communities at the time of application.

Applicants should have previous experience or currently be enrolled in an out-of-school STEM program or activity.

Monthly cohort sessions and small-group check-ins are required. Additional opportunities, including leadership development, public speaking, mentoring, resume and interview coaching, and scholarship and internship support, are optional but highly encouraged. Most opportunities require no more than about an hour per month, although time commitments vary.