STEM is everywhere. It’s in the curve of a basketball shot, the pattern of a tiger’s stripes, the waves rolling onto a beach. The problem? Most people walk right past it without noticing.
That’s where you come in.
talkSTEM Ambassadors are curiosity-sparkers, STEM-spotters, and everyday explorers who help people see the math, science, engineering, and technology hidden in plain sight. One photo. One question. One spark. That’s all it takes.
What’s the Program All About?
The talkSTEM Ambassador program is open to anyone ages 14 and up, who’s ready to share the STEM they spot in the real world. Your mission? Post once a week with a photo or short video from somewhere in your life (a zoo trip, a soccer game, your neighborhood — anywhere!) and pair it with a question that makes people think.
It could be:
- Why do giraffes have different patterns?
- How are ocean waves made?
- Why does a pencil in water look bent?
- What science is behind a shot put throw?
We have a simple yet powerful framework for developing your STEM questions, so that they are grounded in your observations and the places you visit. It comes down to these 3 steps:
- Notice: spend a few minutes making note of your observations at the place you selected
- Brainstorm questions grounded in what you noticed at your specific location
- Curate or select a question
We’ll hook you up with branded frames and graphics so your posts look pro. You just bring your curiosity. Want further inspiration? Check out our Instagram, which features recent ambassador contributions.
Why It Matters:
Once you start looking for it, STEM shows up everywhere. And once you start sharing it, you’ll be surprised how many people get hooked on your questions. Here’s why it’s worth your time:
- You make STEM relatable. People see math and science in your posts that they might’ve missed in their own lives.
- You lead with questions. You’re not just giving answers but modeling curiosity.
- You rep your world. Whether it’s your school, a skate park, or your favorite hiking spot, you’re showing off the places you know best.
- You join a community. Ambassadors are students, educators, athletes, artists, gamers, and more, all united by one thing: making STEM part of everyday life.
How It Works:
Post: Once a week, share your question + photo/video on Instagram, Facebook, or X (Twitter) using #STEMlens and #talkSTEMAmbassador, and tag @talkingstem so we can repost.
Engage: Like, comment, and share other ambassador posts. We hype each other up.
Time commitment: About an hour a week, but plenty of room to do more if you’re feeling it.
Post Inspo from Current Ambassadors:
- Wildlife deep dives: A tiger’s orange coat is actually perfect camouflage from its prey, who see it as greenish-gray.
- Physics in a glass: Light bends differently in air and water, which is why that pencil looks broken.
- Sports science: Shot put technique is all about biomechanics — kinetics, kinematics, and power.
- Ocean vibes: Waves form because wind creates friction with the surface of the water.
Why You Should Sign Up:
- You get to be creative. Find the weird, the beautiful, the puzzling in your everyday life — and share it.
- You build skills. Photography, storytelling, social media engagement, even science communication — it all goes in your toolkit.
- You stand out. Great for college apps, résumés, or just having an awesome “What I do” story.
- You inspire people. Your posts might be the reason someone starts noticing patterns in leaves, symmetry in buildings, or physics in their favorite sport.
- Work with the biggest organizations in science. At the NSF75 celebration, our ambassadors in the area connected with 500+ people, showed off math scavenger hunts, and previewed the MathFinder app.
- For teachers and community educators. This is a great opportunity for you to model curiosity, inquiry, and your STEM mindset to your students
How to Join:
Deadline for the Fall 2025 cohort: Monday, September 15, 11:59 PM ET
Requirements:
- Age 14+
- Smartphone or computer
- At least one public profile on Instagram, Facebook, or X
- One post/week + engagement
- About one hour/week commitment
Steps:
- Fill out this application form
- Wait for your acceptance email
- Get your welcome kit + branded graphics
- Start posting and tagging
Questions? Email: hebba.gouda@hellosci.com
To Summarize:
When you ask a question like “Why are fish different colors?“, you’re not just filling a feed but giving people a reason to stop, think, and maybe see the world differently.
That’s the heart of being a talkSTEM Ambassador. You’re proof that STEM is all around us — at the park, in the cafeteria, on the field, in the sky. And once you start looking, you’ll never stop seeing it.
So grab your phone, open your STEM lens, and let’s make the world more curious… one post at a time.
