STEM Ready VA - Check Out the 2027 Flight Crew!

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Subject: STEM Ready VA - Check Out the 2027 Flight Crew!

STEM Ready Virginia, is a monthly STEM newsletter for Virginia out-of-school time programs. We'll send you up-to-date STEM news, engaging curriculum, and helpful resources straight to your inbox to make sure your Virginia program is STEM Ready.

Recruiting for the 2027 STEM Next Flight Crew

The application for the 2027 STEM Next Flight Crew is now OPEN! STEM Next Opportunity Fund has launched the national search for the next Flight Crew - youth ambassadors who represent their states as they develop leadership and communication skills, share their stories on regional, state, and national stages, and lend their voices to push for more afterschool and summer STEM opportunities.

Please encourage youth in your programs ages 13-18, with experience in afterschool and summer STEM learning and an interest in developing public speaking and leadership skills, to apply today. The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM EST on October 29, 2026.

From January through June 2027, Flight Crew Members:

Build leadership, communication, and advocacy skills through coaching, mentorship, and real-world experience.
Represent their states as members of a national cohort of STEM ambassadors.
Share their STEM journeys through speaking engagements, media opportunities, social media, and other public appearances.
Inspire more young people to explore STEM while championing the value of afterschool and summer STEM learning.

More information and application.

Lights on Afterschool

We're proud to join communities all across America celebrating #LightsOnAfterschool on October 22! There are tons of ways to join the nation's largest showcase of afterschool programs. Sign up now and you'll receive free posters, tips, & guidance.

America After 3 PM: Richmond

America After 3PM is a national online survey of parents or guardians of school-aged children. In Greater Richmond (which includes the City of Richmond and Henrico and Chesterfield counties), the demand for afterschool programs is incredibly high. Parents value the benefits afterschool programs provide for young people - keeping them safe, helping build life skills, and getting the mexcited about learning - and say afterschool programs help them keep their jobs and provide peace of mind. Still, just a fraction of Greater Richmond families who want afterschool programs have them.

Learn more.

OST STEM Workforce Recruitment Table Talk Session - VPOST Conference

The National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST), with generous support from the Overdeck Family Foundation, is investigating effective strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining a high-quality OST STEM workforce, with a focus on afterschool and summer programming. Through this work NIOST expects to inform program leaders and educators how to best obtain, prepare, and support staff to deliver high quality STEM activities in OST programs.

Developing a strong and effective OST STEM workforce is a priority for the OST field, and they will be sharing their findings with attendees at VPOST's conference in Williamsburg, VA on November 2nd.

Register for conference and secure your spot at the NIOST Table Talk Session.

Calling All High School and College Students in STEM!

The Coastal Virginia STEM Hub will host its 6th annual STEM Exploration Community Day at Virginia Peninsula Community College on Saturday, November 7th, from 10 AM - 2 PM. This year's theme is Pathways to Your Future, connecting learners with career opportunities right in the Coastal Virginia Region. The even will feature a panel of industry professionals, student research and internship posters, exhibitors, raffles, food trucks, and MORE!

Do you have students with STEM projects they would like to share with the public? Those students are invited to sign up by October 30th to present at either the high school or college poster session to share the student's STEM research project, an internship or other work-based learning experience, a community engagement project, or other topics relevant to industries in the Coastal Virginia region.

For questions, email covastemhub@gmail.com, see you there!

Region 6 STEM Ecosystem Summit

The Region 6 STEM Ecosystem Summit is a one-day event designed to bring together educators, business and industry leaders, workforce partners, higher education, informal STEM providers, community organizations, and students to strengthen STEM education and workforce development across our region.

Date: October 23rd

Time: 9 AM - 3 PM

Location: Institute for Advanced Learning and Research - Danville, VA

Who Should Attend:

K-12 educators and administrators
Career and Technical Education (CTE) leaders
Higher education faculty and staff
Business and industry representatives
Workforce development professionals
Informal and out-of-school STEM education providers
Community organizations and nonprofit partners
Government and economic development representatives

Register here.

World Space Week: Bringing Aerospace Careers to Life Through STEM

Celebrate World Space Week with STEMNext on October 6 from 2:00 - 3:00 PM with an interactive training for afterschool and summer educators serving youth in grades K-8.

Using examples from meteorology, flight, and aerospace engineering, educators will explore how to connect hands-on STEM activities to the careers, skills, and people behind the work. Participants will leave with practical strategies, ready-to-use activities, and aerospace career profiles to help young people see the possibilities for their own futures.

Participants will also have a chance to win STEM kits or a $100 gift card for their programs.

Register here.

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Subject: STEM Ready VA - Check Out the 2027 Flight Crew!