Shifting Math Narratives Through Afterschool: Insights From our Virtual Panel
When a young person says “I’m not a math person,” it’s rarely the math itself standing in the way. It’s the mindset. That idea ran through STEM Next’s recent Shifting M
Engineering Your Tech Future: A Youth-Led Career Chat with Qualcomm and Aramco
When a high school teacher told Mira Velasco she didn’t “look like an engineer,” she turned that doubt into motivation. Instead of letting someone else define her future, she
New Issue Brief from STEM Next: Afterschool Holds the Power to Reimagine Math Learning for the Next Generation
In a world increasingly shaped by data and advanced technology, mathematical thinking is a life skill young people need to navigate their futures. Yet today, far too many are falli
Career-Connected Summer: How summer STEM camps shaped career aspirations for these teens
Each summer, students across the country step into STEM camps and internships where they get to explore hands-on learning experiences like launching model rockets, dissecting speci
STEM Next Welcomes New Board Members Who Bring National Leadership in Aerospace, Tech, Engineering and Education
STEM Next Opportunity Fund is proud to welcome these distinguished, national leaders to our Board of Directors: Dean Acosta, Kumar Garg, Leanne Caret, Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., and J
Eliminating Afterschool Funding Is a Mistake America’s Economy Can’t Afford
This article was originally published as a LinkedIn article by STEM Next Executive Director Ron Ottinger. Each afternoon, across cities and small towns alike, afterschool and summe
Helping Youth See What’s Possible: A New Framework for Career-Connected Learning Beyond the Classroom
Afterschool and summer programs provide something school often can’t: the freedom to explore, experiment, and connect learning to real life without the added pressures of grades
STEM Next and Teen Science Café Network Bring Real STEM Careers to Life for Students Nationwide at STEM Fest 2025
We’re still riding the wave of excitement from STEM Fest 2025—a three-day, nationwide celebration of curiosity, creativity, and all things science! Held in honor of the Nationa
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 membe
‘Supporting each other’s growth:’ Why near-peer mentorship works to build STEM confidence
As we celebrate Mentorship Month this January, we’re focusing on the profound impact that peer mentors can have on young people’s STEM journeys. Near-peer mentorship—where ol