At STEM in Action, we believe K12 students are more likely to pursue STEM futures when learning is active, relevant, and connected to real careers. We design and support high-quality STEM experiences that help young people build confidence, leadership, problem-solving skills, and awareness of both military and civilian career pathways.
Established in 2013, STEM Futures equips JROTC high school cadets with hands-on STEM design challenges and leadership experiences tied to real-world military and civilian careers. The model emphasizes teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and applied problem-solving, helping cadets understand how leadership and technical skill development work together in future workforce roles.
STEM Futures Academies are built to be immersive, practical, and motivating. Cadets engage in experiences that connect classroom concepts to engineering, technology, systems thinking, and national workforce priorities, creating a stronger bridge between student potential and future opportunity.
NEXT WAVE: Join the Crew! expands the STEM in Action mission through blue economy and Gulf Coast-connected learning experiences. This initiative emphasizes maritime, environmental, coastal, and resilience-related STEM pathways that are especially important to Gulf Coast communities and the industries that support them.
Through NEXT WAVE, students explore how STEM applies to waterways, ecosystems, infrastructure, maritime technology, and community resilience. The goal is to show students that the future of STEM is not abstract; it is visible in the industries, landscapes, and civic challenges around them.
Program Design and Research Suport
In addition to direct programming, STEM in Action supports broader STEM education efforts through program design, implementation, evaluation, and research collaboration. This work helps communities and partners develop stronger, more effective approaches to STEM engagement and broader impacts.
Julie Cwikla, PhD
CEO, Board President and T.W. Bennett Distinguished Professor
Dr. Cwikla, CEO, President of the Board, and T.W. Bennett Distinguished Professor, has led over $30 million in STEM education research and programming, creating immersive opportunities for K-20 students, educators, and families across the nation. Her work spans research on JROTC cadet learning and STEM career pathways, professional development for mathematics faculty, out-of-school STEM initiatives, classroom technology integration, interdisciplinary STEM/STEAM curricula, and NASA-funded studies on algae cultivation for Mars.
Her goal is to secure transformative funding that advances STEM learning nationally and internationally. Dr. Cwikla holds degress in mathematics, chemistry, applied matheamatics, and mathematics education. She’s earned research support from the National Science Foundation, NASA, DoD STEM, the U.S. Department of Education, and more. Dr. Cwikla is the author of two books, over 50 journal publications, and has delivered hundreds of presentations worldwide. Read more.
STEM in Action Board Members
STEM in Action’s Board of Directors reflects the range of sectors needed to build meaningful STEM pathways. Board members bring experience from military leadership, education, engineering, energy, environmental science, technology, philanthropy, communications, law, and workforce development.
Together, this leadership helps guide STEM in Action with strategic insight, technical expertise, public service experience, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity for students. The board’s collective perspective strengthens the organization’s ability to build programs that are both educationally strong and aligned with real-world challenges and workforce needs.
VADM (Ret) Fred Midgette
Dr. Nashlie Sephus
Dr. Sandra Knight
Shalaya Morissette
VADM (Ret) John J. Donnelly
Dr. Benjamin Jaffe
Tanya Rankin
LTC (Ret) Robert F. Barrow
Misty Shaw-Feder, Trustee
John Brenke, Board Secretary & Trustee
Ken Flottman, Board Counsel
Jeff Moffett, Trustee