STEM Next Opportunity Fund Announces 2025 Flight Crew: 77 Youth Nationwide Selected for National STEM Ambassador Program

SAN DIEGO, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- STEM Next Opportunity Fund today announced the newest cohort of its Flight Crew youth ambassador program, welcoming 77 students from across the nation to its largest cohort to date. These teens will participate in leadership development, public speaking and social media training to elevate their voices and inspire greater access to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) opportunities in afterschool and summer programs.

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 build skills such as 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 youth 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.

To learn more about the Flight Crew and meet the 2025 members, visit stemnext.org/2025-flight-crew.

About STEM Next Opportunity Fund
STEM Next Opportunity Fund is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to making STEM learning more engaging, effective, and widely available to all youth across the nation through afterschool and summer programs. With more than a decade of experience and a network of afterschool leaders in every state, STEM Next has reached more than 12.5 million youth and supported more than 390,000 afterschool and summer program educators. Through its signature efforts—the Million Girls Moonshot and the Institute for a STEM Ready America—STEM Next helps more young people build the curiosity, confidence, and skills they need for whatever comes next. Learn more at stemnext.org.

SOURCE STEM Next Opportunity Fund