The STEM to Stern program was started in Milwaukee, WI at the Milwaukee Rowing Club as a way to eliminate the barriers of participation and to increase representation on the team.  The main barriers to rowing include transportation, swimming lessons and club fees.  By creating ways to address these barriers, students are able to participate, regardless of where they are from. 

Rowing is the focal point of STEM to Stern.  Clubs are able to use rowing to build relationships among students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to interact, or to compete together.  One of the many benefits of STEM to Stern is the diverse and competitive environment that is developed through this program.  By adding more athletes from all around your city, rowing teams become more competitive and more diverse.  

STEM education is another focal point of our program.  Many of the students don’t have access to high quality STEM education.  By having a STEM component as part of the program, we help set students up build a strong academic foundation, to think critically, problem solve and be successful on and off the water.  

Our STEM to Stern team has worked with clubs around the country to help them develop their own program.  Our mission is to create fourty STEM to Stern programs and serve over 400 student-athletes across the United States in 2023.  

STEM to Stern has grown tremendously from a single club in Milwaukee to reaching its goal of 25 programs nationally.