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.
Our Programs
STEM Futures
The Leadership & Workforce Academy for JROTCThese residential programs combine traditional JROTC leadership challenges with STEM workforce development in the form of robotics training and regional worksite visits.
NEXT WAVE
Join the Crew!This program introduces high school students across the northern Gulf Coast to traditional and emerging STEM careers through field trips, internships, and educator training.
STEMonDemand
Online K12 STEM lesson portalThis partnership with The University of Southern Mississippi showcases video lessons in science, engineering, and math for use in traditional and nontraditional learning spaces.
In addition to direct programming, STEM in Action supports broader STEM education efforts through curriculum and program design, implementation, evaluation, and research collaboration. This work helps communities and partners develop stronger, more effective approaches to STEM engagement in order to broaden impacts.
Program Design and Research Support
Our Team
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.