Christy Lattin
Students interested in STEM subjects and leadership development are encouraged to apply for the Nevada Flight Crew Youth Ambassador Program, a year-long opportunity led by the Nevada Afterschool Network. The program helps Nevada students advocate for STEM learning beyond the school setting. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The state program, launched in 2023, is grant-funded by the national Million Girls Moonshot program, which aims to engage more students in STEM learning through afterschool and summer programs. Each group of students is called a Flight Crew cohort, and they progress through the months-long program as a team.
“The main goal is to expose students to various fields and careers in STEM so they can explore and refine their interests,” said Margaritte Bouffard, the Flight Crew Coordinator. “We also help train them to be leaders and to speak in public at conferences.”
The Nevada Flight Crew is open to students ages 12 to 16 who are passionate about STEM and have participated in an afterschool program. Once selected, students participate in monthly training sessions held over Zoom and are paired with a STEM professional in their city. Training topics include leadership, public speaking, advocacy, and exploring STEM careers. Fallon student Melody Garcia-Bishop, 14, wrapped her year-long training in 2024 and is grateful for the skills she gained. Interested in nursing, she was partnered with a local nursing professional, meeting over three months to discuss her career goals and tour the hospital’s ambulance bay.
At the end of the year-long program, the cohort gathers in Las Vegas for a final event, nicknamed “Reach for the Stars” by the first Nevada Flight Crew. This year’s group called their event “Reach for the Stars – Nevada Flight Crew Goes Nuclear,” held at the Atomic Museum in Las Vegas.
Bouffard said students play a major role in planning their final event, from choosing the venue and theme to speaking on stage. Some serve as spotlight speakers, while others moderate a panel of STEM professionals who share their experiences.
Following the Reach for the Stars celebration, many students attend a STEM-related summer camp. Garcia-Bishop was sponsored to participate in a nursing camp at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“As a teen, it’s hard to get people to listen to you, let alone to your ideas,” Garcia-Bishop said. “The Flight Crew program gives you knowledge and training to snap people to attention.” She plans to stay in touch with the other members of her cohort to build her network for the future.
Garcia-Bishop’s mother, Stephanie Winder, said she promoted the Nevada Flight Crew to other parents after seeing the positive influences in her daughter’s life.
“I’ve seen significant growth in Melody’s confidence and communication skills during her time with Nevada Flight Crew. I’ve watched her become a beautiful young woman who can articulate her ideas clearly and enthusiastically, engaging with both kids her own age and adults effectively,” Winder said.
“This has been a great way for students to grow—both within the program and within themselves,” Bouffard said. “They have more confidence after the program, and we love to see them blossom.”
Applications for the 2026 Nevada Flight Crew are open until Sept. 17. The first meeting will be held on Sept. 24. For more information or to apply, visit nevadaafterschool.org/nvflightcrew.
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