A K-12 STEM pathway for Ohio students

From curiosity to career.

NextGEN STEM takes students from their first hands-on science lesson in kindergarten to real careers in aerospace, microelectronics, AI, and quantum computing.

Explore Programs Partner With Us
700+

students at Ohio Tech Day Cleveland 2026

350

students served across all programs

5

schools and community partner sites

K-12

one connected pathway, kindergarten to career

The pathway

One pathway. Five stages. Every step builds on the last.

See all programs
Grades K-2 Girls of Tomorrow Hands-on science and microelectronics that spark curiosity.
Grades 3-5 STEM Explorers Discovery, design, and problem solving that build confidence.
Grades 6-8 STEM Rebels Middle school girls taking on real engineering challenges.
Grades 9-12 STEM Vanguard Institute Advanced learning and career exposure for high schoolers.
High school Pre-Apprenticeships Career training in quantum computing, microelectronics, and AI.

Why it matters

Closing the gap for girls in STEM

Breaking Barriers

Many students, and girls in particular, never get early access to hands-on STEM learning. NextGEN STEM brings that access into schools and community sites, starting in kindergarten.

Shattering Stereotypes

Students who see themselves as scientists and engineers early are more likely to stay with STEM. Our programs give girls hands-on wins, real role models, and the experiences to picture themselves in these careers.

Cleveland and Dayton

Ohio Tech Day

A statewide day of STEM career exploration. In 2026, more than 700 K-8 students from Cleveland Metropolitan School District explored AI, quantum, and aerospace careers at the Great Lakes Science Center.

See Ohio Tech Day Sponsor 2027
800+
students, 2026
Presented by Nordson Corporation
Logo of Parallax Advanced Research featuring a stylized yellow shooting star with sparkles and the text "Parallax" in dark blue above "Advanced Research" in lighter blue.
Logo of Daily Dose of Reading, featuring an orange and black stylized book icon and gray text.

Made Possible by our Partners

Logo of the Hawaii Space Grant Consortium featuring a stylized flame inside a circle with a surrounding orbit.
The logo features a blue curved line at the top left, with the word 'Nordson' written in blue text next to it.
NASA logo with a blue circular background, white stars, a white trajectory line, and a red arrow intersecting the NASA text.
A logo featuring a circular maze-like design with a vertical line crossing through it, representing focus or direction. Below, the text reads "CATALYZED IMPACT" in bold, and beneath that, the slogan "WHERE PURPOSE MEETS PERFORMANCE".
Logo of Ohio Aerospace Institute featuring a stylized map of Ohio with stars and curved lines representing motion or air, set within a circular design on a blue background.
Logo for DO STEM in Dayton, Ohio featuring stylized gear and orbit design.

Help build Ohio's next generation of innovators.

Sponsor a program Fund a cohort, a program, or Ohio Tech Day. Bring it to your school Host NextGEN STEM for your students. Share your expertise Speak, mentor, or host an exhibitor table.