National Space Club Huntsville makes STEM education more accessible and inclusive through support for HudsonAlpha’s Summer of STEM programs

The next generation of the STEM workforce is a priority for many aerospace and defense-focused corporations in Huntsville, AL. Community leaders across sectors are investing in today’s students with the knowledge they will be tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.

National Space Club Huntsville, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the aerospace industry in north Alabama, is a champion of STEM education. Since 2008, one of the organization’s primary mission areas is advancing youth education in all areas of STEM by providing funding to partners and programs in the Huntsville community.

Among the organizations National Space Club Huntsville supports, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology has received steadfast support since 2020 for the Institute’ STEM student experiences such as field trips and summer camps. This year, National Space Club Huntsville made a generous donation to become one of HudsonAlpha’s Summer of STEM sponsors, providing essential funding for summer camps, internships, and teacher training programs held on the Institute’s biotech campus.

“The National Space Club has been excited to support HudsonAlpha’s STEM education initiatives over the years,” said Andy Johnston, Education Committee Co-Chair at National Space Club Huntsville. “We admire HudsonAlpha’s concerted efforts to make STEM accessible across the state of Alabama and are excited about the impact the Institute has in STEM education.”

HudsonAlpha has hosted summer programs every year for over 10 years, recognizing the importance of out-of-school experiences that allow students and educators to learn STEM skills hands-on. Johnston believes these programs help make STEM accessible and inclusive to all students, with a particular focus on providing opportunities to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

“HudsonAlpha, like National Space Club, has identified a need among schools that serve underrepresented students and has made an effort to reach Title I schools and communities,” said Johnston. “We’re grateful to support HudsonAlpha in making opportunities to engage with STEM available to those who may not have access otherwise. The Summer of STEM program absolutely fills that need and aligns with our own priorities.”

This year’s Summer of STEM will run from early June through the end of July, impacting nearly 10,000 students from 28 Alabama counties and 8 states.

HudsonAlpha’s Summer of STEM sponsorships are a powerful way to demonstrate your commitment to our community’s future. As a nonprofit organization, HudsonAlpha relies on philanthropic support to help make STEM opportunities available.

If you are interested in learning more about how you become a 2025 Summer of STEM Sponsor at HudsonAlpha, please contact Elizabeth Herrin, Senior Director of Advancement, at eherrin@hudsonalpha.org