S5:E4 Ron Ottinger on Out-of-School STEM and a Mission to Reach 20 Million Learners

Ron Ottinger, a pioneer in out-of-school STEM education and Executive Director of STEM Next Opportunity Fund, joins the hosts to discuss the untapped potential of afterschool programs and summer learning. From the success of the Million Girls Moonshot to the creation of community-driven ambassador programs like Flight Crew, Ron emphasizes the importance of creating environments where students can experiment, fail, and discover what makes them tick. With the launch of STEM Ready America, the conversation highlights why shifting the STEM narrative matters, especially for students historically excluded from the STEM pipeline, and how out-of-school programs are uniquely positioned to do just that. Learn more at: https://stemnext.org

What is Fresh Perspectives?

Dive into Fresh Perspectives: Conversations with All-Star Innovators in Education, a podcast dedicated to connecting with the visionaries and organizations driving change in education through disruptive and innovative approaches. Join Learn Fresh’s Nick Monzi and Calvin Sibert as they explore a range of topics—from racial and gender equity to social-emotional learning and the evolving educational landscape. Discover more about our work at learnfresh.org.