Become an IEEE STEM Champion: A Leader Builds Other Leaders
How to Build a STEM Champion: A Leader Builds Other Leaders
A spark of curiosity can begin with a simple question. With encouragement, experimentation, and mentorship, that spark can grow into something much greater—a young person’s confidence that they can become an engineer, scientist, technologist, artist, or future leader.
The new music video, “How to Build a STEM Champion,” illustrates that journey through an uplifting animated story of discovery, teamwork, perseverance, mentorship, and service.
Watch the video:
From Curiosity to Leadership
The story begins with a curious young learner and follows the progression from asking questions to building circuits, exploring science and mathematics, designing solutions, and collaborating with others.
But technical knowledge is only part of becoming a STEM Champion.
The video emphasizes that meaningful progress is rarely achieved alone. Practice develops skill. Teamwork strengthens ideas. Mentorship builds confidence. Service transforms individual achievement into lasting community impact.
The central message is simple:
A leader builds other leaders.
A STEM Champion does more than teach a lesson or demonstrate a technology. A Champion helps another person discover what may be possible—and then gives that person the confidence, resources, and encouragement to help someone else.
Light the Spark and Let It Grow
The song’s chorus summarizes this leadership journey:
Light the spark and let it grow,
Share the path so others know;
Learn, create, and serve together—
A leader builds other leaders.
This is the multiplier effect of mentorship. One IEEE volunteer can inspire a student. That student may encourage a classmate. An educator can equip additional teachers, and an experienced volunteer can prepare new volunteers to lead outreach programs of their own.
In this way, STEM outreach becomes more than a collection of individual events. It becomes a growing pathway of curiosity, capability, mentorship, and service.
Become an IEEE STEM Champion
The IEEE STEM Champion Program recognizes active IEEE members who conduct pre-university STEM outreach for school-aged students and/or educators on behalf of IEEE.
STEM Champions serve as local connectors to IEEE educational resources, encourage other volunteers to become involved, and help strengthen STEM opportunities in their communities. Selected Champions also gain access to a worldwide community of outreach volunteers, recognition, specialized resources, webinars, and potential STEM funding opportunities.
Eligible applicants must be active IEEE members by 7 September 2026 and be conducting qualifying pre-university STEM outreach.
The 2026 application deadline is:
11 September 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Learn about eligibility, responsibilities, and the application process on the official IEEE TryEngineering STEM Champions page.
If you are already helping students or educators experience science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, consider taking the next step. Apply to become an IEEE STEM Champion—and invite another IEEE member to join you in building the next generation of technology innovators and leaders.
One curious mind.
One serving heart.
A leader builds other leaders.