Pittsburgh 12th Grader is Selected as One of 51 Youth Representing 50 States to Champion STEM Learning as Part of the STEM Next Opportunity Fund’s Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew

Youth ambassador program gives young leaders the skills to advance the national conversation about STEM learning in afterschool

Marh 1, 2024

HARRISBURG, Pa. – STEM Next Opportunity Fund announced Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew – a youth ambassador program championing access to STEM learning opportunities in afterschool and summer for all youth across the nation.

The 2024 cohort includes Oluwatomisin, a 12th-grader from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “Regardless of how other individuals might treat you in your field of interest, keep focusing on yourself because, at the end of the day, you are the one in control of your future and your overall life decisions,” said Oluwatomisin.

Motivated by their impactful STEM experiences beyond the classroom, Oluwatomisin and other Flight Crew members will elevate youth voices to break down stereotypes and spark their peers’ curiosity in STEM. These young leaders embody the Moonshot mission to engage millions more girls in STEM learning opportunities and inspire more youth to pursue a STEM career.

“PSAYDN is delighted to tap into the expertise of the Flight Crew,” said Contrell Armor, director of the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN). “Youth voice and insight into their afterschool STEM experiences will help us amplify the importance of our work and its impact on the lives of Pennsylvania’s young people, their families and communities.”

The 2024 Flight Crew cohort includes 51 youth, ages 13-18, from all 50 states. Having worked to solve challenges in their communities and participated in hands-on STEM experiences outside of the classroom, the Flight Crew were selected to share their life-changing experiences in afterschool and summer programs. Seeking to reimagine what builders, inventors, and engineers look like, Oluwatomisin will serve as a role model for youth in Pennsylvania and the nation, showing other young people what is possible with STEM. Learn more about the 2024 Flight Crew.

Eight months of leadership development and public speaking training will be provided, as the Flight Crew simultaneously acts as champions of afterschool STEM. Skill building will include resume and interview coaching, connections with STEM professionals, and social media training for the members to gain life-changing social capital.

“We are excited to implement new training and ideas to amplify the experiences and voices of these inspiring young people. The Flight Crew is a part of STEM Next’s strategy to grow STEM leaders so that we can make out-of-school STEM opportunities a reality for millions of young people to help them thrive for whatever comes next in their lives. We have so much to learn from these students,” said Teresa Drew, Deputy Director of STEM Next Opportunity Fund and Executive Director of the Million Girls Moonshot initiative.

Launched in 2020, the Million Girls Moonshot builds field capacity for afterschool and summer programs and educators to prepare students for a future fueled by science, technology, engineering, and math. To achieve the ambitious goal of reaching millions of girls in five years, the Moonshot partners with the robust 50 State Afterschool Network to empower and support afterschool and summer STEM programs in every state across the country.

About STEM Next Opportunity Fund

As a national leader, strategic guide, policy advocate and investor, STEM Next is making out-of-school STEM opportunities a reality for millions of young people to help them thrive in STEM and beyond. In September 2020, STEM Next launched The Million Girls Moonshot, which inspires and prepares the next generation of innovators by engaging millions more girls in STEM learning opportunities through afterschool and summer programs over 5 years. By investing early in the lives of our children, STEM Next is transforming their lives and preparing them for the 21st-century economy. Learn more at STEMNext.org. Connect with STEM Next on Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Learn more about the Million Girls Moonshot at milliongirlsmoonshot.org and connect on Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram.

About PSAYDN

Founded in 2004, Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) at Center for Schools and Communities is one of 50 statewide afterschool networks funded through the Mott Foundation and a host of other funders. Its mission is to promote sustainable, high quality out-of-school time (OST) youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the welfare of Pennsylvania’s children, youth and families. With nearly 3,000 members, over 6,000 recognized OST providers, over 100 partners, and serving in all 67 counties, PSAYDN has grown the network by providing services and supports that influence and impact afterschool on national, statewide, and regional levels. Learn more about PSAYDN at psaydn.org and connect on Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.