The Flight Crew elevates young voices in STEM from across the country to inspire their peers and demonstrate that STEM is for everyone and happens everywhere.
The annual program features remarkable youth leaders who represent their states, show what’s possible, and spark their peers’ curiosity in STEM. Motivated by their impactful STEM experiences beyond the classroom, Flight Crew members share their stories on regional, state and national stages; participate in mentorship opportunities; and lend their voices to push for more STEM opportunities in out-of-school-time.
Since its debut, the Flight Crew has been recognized by NASA, The National STEM Festival, SXSW EDU and more.
The magic of the Flight Crew initiative is its unique ability to foster community and connection for youth in a safe, supportive environment to grow their confidence as STEM leaders and make their voices heard.
Whether it’s sharing what they discovered in their afterschool science club or the excitement of internships and college applications — the connections built by shared experiences help open doors, foster excitement and spark curiosity for each young person participating in the Flight Crew experience. With a near-peer mentorship model at the core of the program, Flight Crew members inspire each other and rally on the sidelines as they each share their STEM journeys with new audiences.
The application to be considered for the 2025 Flight Crew is open until March 12, 2025! As a Flight Crew member, you will receive specialized training in public speaking and content creation, equipping you to effectively share your STEM experiences. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with mentors, participate in exclusive events, and collaborate with fellow youth advocates to drive positive change in your community. Don’t miss your chance to inspire others and advance your leadership skills through this unique program!
To be eligible for the Flight Crew, youth applicants must meet these requirements:
To be eligible for the Flight Crew, youth applicants must meet these requirements:
Flight Crew members should champion afterschool STEM experiences to inspire other young people. While sharing on their own social media accounts is not a requirement, members are encouraged to spread the word about their experiences to their own peer networks. Members will also likely be asked to contribute video content, quotes or photos to be used on STEM Next’s social media channels.
Flight Crew members are encouraged to join us at our in-person event to meet the rest of the cohort in the summer, but attendance is not mandatory. Ability to attend the in-person event will also not influence whether a youth is accepted to the Flight Crew or not.
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.
Applicants are assessed based on their ability to speak about their own experiences, potential for growth as a STEM advocate and in relation to other applicants in a student’s state and across the country.
Youth who have applied in previous years but were not accepted are welcome to reapply for this year’s Flight Crew.
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 will be requested to sign off on certain paperwork, such as in-person participant permission and media releases if their Flight Crew youth is under the age of 18.