Inspiring young minds to explore the world of STEM is a key objective for the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS), which has embarked on a mission to enhance educational access through strategic partnerships. One such collaboration is with the Nevada Flight Crew, a program designed for students aged 12 to 16 under the Nevada Afterschool Network umbrella, offering them a unique chance to delve into STEM fields outside their regular school curriculum.
This year, nine students completed the third installment of the Nevada Flight Crew program, which focuses on fostering STEM skills, leadership, advocacy, and public speaking, while also introducing participants to potential career opportunities. On June 12, these students had the chance to engage with NNSS teams involved in Enhanced Capabilities for Subcritical Experiments and Stockpile Experimentation and Operations, observing firsthand the collaborative efforts of scientists and engineers in national security.
The students were treated to a comprehensive tour that included witnessing a gas gun in action, demonstrating how diagnostics are gathered as a projectile travels over 1,200 miles per hour into a target chamber. They also visited the Integrated Test Stand, where modules for the Advanced Sources and Detectors Scorpius project are being assembled and tested before their deployment underground.
“We are always looking for opportunities to partner with organizations that place an emphasis on STEM education, so the Nevada Flight Crew was a great fit for us,” said NNSS Strategic Engagement & Communications Senior Administrative Specialist Brianna Majdanac. “We were thrilled to give these students the unique opportunity to tour our facility and have the chance to speak with our engineers and scientists one-on-one. These interactions can be crucial for students as they decide what path to take in their educational career. Through our partnerships with local organizations and our own STEM programming, it is our mission to provide as many impactful learning experiences as we can to students of all backgrounds.”
Among the 2024-2025 Nevada Flight Crew participants was Emma, who received mentorship from NNSS Technical Manager Dr. Amber Guckes during the academic year. Dr. Guckes, a University of Nevada-Las Vegas alumna and recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, guided Emma in exploring educational and career paths, with a focus on nuclear engineering.
“Nevada Flight Crew first sparked my interest to grow my leadership and communication skills and advocate for STEM,” said Emma, who is entering the 10th grade. “Amber and I worked on exploring engineering. I’m interested in engineering, but not sure exactly which way I’d want to go with it, so we focused on exploring nuclear engineering as a whole. There are many opportunities in STEM in Nevada — you just have to be able to look for them and seek them.”
“At this stage in her academic career, the best thing I can do for Emma is to be a guide for her: introduce opportunities in STEM that she hadn’t considered or known about and help her navigate tough technical and personal challenges to build her confidence,” said Dr. Guckes. “Participating in the Nevada Flight Crew or similar program gives students like Emma an edge when it comes to entering into a STEM career. They gain access to information and resources to help them pursue their dreams. These things may not be readily available to a student who doesn’t participate in such a program.
The NNSS also partnered with Nevada Flight Crew during the April 2025 STEM Saturday session, where students presented how the cohort has influenced their pursuit of STEM fields.
“The NNSS is a hub of STEM innovation and outreach in Southern Nevada,” added Dr. Guckes. “We are well-connected and ever-present within the scientific community and our local community. It is my wish that even more students had access to and knew about the opportunities that the NNSS provides to K-12 students, college students and those ready to jump into a STEM career.”
Read More Here
