One Tennessee Teen Among 77 Youth Selected Nationwide for the 2025 Flight Crew, a Youth STEM Ambassador Program of STEM Next Opportunity Fund. The 7th grader from Franklin, TN will learn leadership skills to advance the national conversation about STEM learning in afterschool.
Nashville, TN, May 15, 2025: A Williamson County 7th grade student has been selected among 77 students across the nation to represent Tennessee in this year’s Flight Crew, a national youth ambassador program for teens in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The Flight Crew is a program of STEM Next Opportunity Fund, a national nonprofit working to expand high-quality STEM learning through afterschool and summer programs. It helps youth build leadership skills and raise awareness about the importance of STEM beyond the classroom by amplifying their voices in local communities and on state and national platforms.
The Flight Crew cohort for 2025 includes Akaansh Goel, a 7th grader from Franklin, Tennessee, who attends Woodland Middle School. While he participates in programs such as Boy Scouts, Citizenship, Meditation, Spanish, Robotics, Youth in Government, Model United Nation, and Math Club, it is his participation in Williamson County’s 4-H STEM program – provided through the UT Institute of Agriculture Extension Services – that brought him to the attention of STEM Next. His 4-H Club instructor, Mrs. Jennifer Stockdale, nominated him for the opportunity. Goel is the only Tennessee Student chosen for this honor in 2025.
“STEM learning outside of school has helped me become a better problem solver and leader,” noted Goel. “Competing in robotics taught me how to think critically and work as a team, which has helped me in math and science at school. My 4-H STEM projects, like the potato battery demonstration, made learning hands-on, showing me how science connects to real life. These experiences have made me more confident in STEM, and I hope to use what I’ve learned to solve big problems in the future!”As a Flight Crew member, Goel will receive training in public speaking, social media and leadership development to support his growth as a teen ambassador who champions the power of afterschool STEM and inspires thousands of peers to explore STEM opportunities. The experience also includes resume and interview coaching, plus access to mentors and career role models who provide guidance and insight as he pursues his STEM goals.
The Flight Crew program has grown significantly since its launch in 2022 with 16 members. Now a flagship initiative of STEM Next, the program’s 2025 cohort is the largest yet, with an additional 12 program alumni returning as mentors and advisors. This near-peer model strengthens confidence, leadership skills and long-term engagement in STEM.
The Flight Crew’s continued growth is made possible through the generous support of STEM Next’s partners including Aramco, BAE Systems, General Motors and Lockheed Martin.
Recognized by NASA, SXSW EDU, the National STEM Festival and others, the program demonstrates the power of youth voice and the critical role of out-of-school experiences in opening pathways to future careers in STEM.
About Tennessee Afterschool Network
The Tennessee Afterschool Network is a state-based nonprofit organization that supports children, youth, families, and communities by advocating and building capacity for sustainable investments in safe, healthy, and nurturing afterschool experiences.
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 is helping more young people build the curiosity, confidence, and skills they need for whatever comes next. Learn more at www.stemnext.org.