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Our Mission is to provide quality & engaging STEM education

EVERY KID. ANYWHERE.

Who We Are

We are a non-profit organization dedicated and determined to advance economic development by improving STEM literacy for all students. STEM 101’s approach is designed to improve under-represented minority and low-income student growth, close achievement gaps, decrease dropout rates, increase high school graduation rates, and improve teacher and principal effectiveness and ultimately raise the quality of life for all through STEM. We represent a national next-generation high impact academic model that targets all schools and is for all students. We’re going to make our world a little bit brighter for our youth by showing them the possibilities are endless, rewarding and impactful through STEM.

We Focus on Kids

No Matter Their Zip Code.

What We Love to Do

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS & CURRICULUM

We are proud to partner with schools and districts throughout the United States, Bermuda and India. We offer meta-disciplinary, state and national standards-based STEM curriculum that inspires and creates pathways for students in industry and post-secondary advancement. We validate instructor and school competency through national standard STEM instructor certification and STEM school accreditation practices. We also can customize the curricula based on your state’s standards.

HANDS-ON LEARNING

Industry inspired activities designed by educators with students in mind to support all learning styles. Projects are taught through learning Kits to provide the student an experience to understand technical content as well as develop their own creative solutions with their new learning and skills. These kits can be provided for a whole classroom or for one student.

CONNECTIONS PROGRAM

Thanks to our Industry Partners, we are able to inspire students annually to consider STEM careers through our Connections Program which provides free educational content. This program includes Virtual Mentors to provide students real academic and working expectations in various STEM fields and introductory lessons relevant to each Industry. This simple exposure to the opportunities that are out there have increased the number of students choosing to pursue STEM fields.

MEET THE

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Jess Boon

Director of Operations

Katie Crowley

Director of Community & Government Relations

Hannah Degrow

Teacher Care Specialist

Tom DiCamillo

Director of Technology

Al Gomez, PhD

President and CEO

John Gruender

Director of Partnership Development

Russ Hermann

Academic Improvement & Professional Development

Dr. Chris Neff

Director of Academics

Jennifer Steiner

Academic Advisor

Justin Wilke

Finance Operations Specialist

MEET THE

BOARD

Dr. Bryan Albrecht

Secretary/Treasurer (2009-Present)

President Emeritus Gateway Technical College

Al Gomez, PhD

Board Member (2009-Present)

President and CEO, The STEM Academy

Scott Gutschow

Department Chair (2009-Present)

Department Chair, Howard Suamico School District

Khalil Jackson

Vice President (2015-Present)

Chief Information Security Officer, New York Federal Reserve

Carlos Medina

Board Member (2021-Present)

Director of Finance Shine Medical

Joseph Patrick

Board Member (2021-Present)

COO, Charter School Compliance

Joe Schmidt

Board Member (2022-Present)

Pre-Construction Executive, Selzer-Ornst

MEET THE

BOARD ADVISORS:

Pauline Vosberg, CPA

Board Advisor (2020-Present)

Reiley, Penner & Benton, LLP

Jessica Harrison, J.D.

Board Advisor (2020-Present)

Scholz Nonprofit Law, LLC

Dr. Monica Kelsey-Brown

Board Advisor (2021-Present)

Superintendent, Brown Deer Schools

Keep current with STEM 101:

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Jessica Boon, the Director of Operations for STEM 101, is a seasoned professional whose career journey reflects a commitment to excellence in leadership, community engagement, and youth mentorship. With a foundation in successful restaurant ownership and management, Jessica’s stores were not only recognized for Legendary Guest Service but also acclaimed at the national brand level for Exceptional Leadership Training. Her passion for creating exceptional experiences extended beyond the business realm, as she led her establishments to become some of the highest-performing in community involvement and fundraising efforts.

In her current role at STEM 101, Jessica brings her multifaceted expertise to oversee the operational aspects of a dynamic organization dedicated to STEM education. Her strategic leadership ensures the smooth execution of STEM programs, fostering an environment where innovation and education thrive. A standout aspect of Jessica’s commitment lies in her dedication to STEM 101’s vision of providing quality STEM educational opportunities to every student, anywhere. She actively works towards refining processes, searching for new areas of opportunity, and collaborating with educators to continuously improve STEM resources and make them more accessible to the schools that need them.

Before joining STEM 101, Jessica made significant contributions to a national restaurant brand, where she played a pivotal role in crafting training and culture content. Her dedication to fostering a positive work environment and prioritizing both guest and team experiences set her apart in the industry. Academically, Jessica pursued studies at UW Fond du Lac and holds an associate degree from UW Oshkosh.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jessica finds joy in exploring the outdoors with her family. Her holistic approach to life, blending professional excellence with personal fulfillment, makes Jessica Boon a notable figure in the realm of operations, community engagement, and leadership within the STEM education sector.

About Katie

As the Director of Community and Government Relations for STEM 101, Katie Crowley brings a vast skillset from her years working in higher education and the public sector. Her experience working with local, national and international groups ensures STEM 101 programming reaches communities, institutions and organizations across the country. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a master’s degree from Texas A&M University. Her expertise is in Government Procedure and Regulation, Real Estate and Economic Development and Higher Education Data Analytics. She has served on boards for both Brazos Valley Counseling Services and the Aggie Pride LGBTQ+ Ally Former Student Network. She fundraises for and volunteers at the Brazos Valley Food Bank. Katie spends free time with her family, animals, gardening and as an accomplished runner, participating in both marathons and ultra running.

About Hannah

Hannah DeGrow is the Teacher Care Manager for our newest division. She provides support and data for the teachers, administrations and the schools we are partnered with.


Hannah comes to us with 20 years of experience in business and finance. She is a graduate of Maranatha Baptist University with a background in Humanities. Her dedication to detail and passion for helping others shines through at STEM 101. In her personal time, she is a busy mother to her family with whom she enjoys sharing her love of science and the world around her.

About Tom

Thomas DiCamillo leads STEM 101 as its Chief Technology Officer. Tom and his team are responsible for STEM 101’s web site and digital content, which ranges from the corporate Connections program to STEM 101’s Learning Management System and STEM 101 curriculum. Tom’s long career in Information Technology Systems includes working for an Autodesk Educational Reseller where he trained and consulted with universities, colleges and high schools promoting and maintaining Computer Aided Drafting programs. He attended Glendale Community College and Arizona State University studying CAD technology in its infancy. He likes to spend free time traveling, off-roading, and motorcycle riding around the southwestern states.

About Alan

Alan Gomez, Ph.D, is President and Chief Executive Officer of the STEM Academy (STEM 101). Dr. Gomez – or “Al” as he is known – leads the STEM 101 team, overseeing program and curriculum development and implementation, and partnerships. Al believes that all students can succeed in education and in life with proper guidance and mentorship.  A highly regarded educator with a background in engineering and CTE, Dr. Gomez is the principal author of “Engineering Your Future: A Project-Based Introduction to Engineering” and of “Survey of Engineering,” textbooks for use at the college freshman/high school and middle school levels. He has also published materials in professional journals including the Proceedings for the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and keynoted or presented at major conventions and conferences in more than 40 states. In addition, he has reviewed conference proceedings for the American Society for Engineering Education and the National Science Foundation. A former NASA Astronaut Candidate, Al holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

About John

John Gruender has over 23 years of experience as a publisher of best-selling engineering and STEM education resources for students from middle school through post-secondary level.

Additionally, he has spent many years partnering with organizations of all sizes (including Fortune 500), helping them to meet their strategic educational and developmental objectives.

Early in his varied career, he enjoyed experiences as General Manager of a radio station, National Sales Director for a technology company, as well as Marketing for the St. Louis Baseball Cardinals organization.

John obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri—Columbia, and his graduate degree at Saint Louis University.

About Russ

Director of Academic Programs for STEM 101, Russ Hermann works closely with numerous institutions throughout the country. His responsibilities include consulting, onboarding, curriculum development, support and professional development. Russ comes from a long career in secondary education. He is currently in his 27th year teaching CTE at a Wisconsin high school whose district adopted the STEM 101 curriculum in 2010. In 2012, his department was named Wisconsin’s high school Technology and Engineering Department of the year. Russ also earned the “Award of Excellence” from the WTEA (Wisconsin’s Technology Education Association) in 2017.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Technology and Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a master’s degree in Educational Technology from Marian University. Russ serves as a regular presenter at various state and national conferences, including the WTEA conference as well as the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (WSST) conference.

About Chris

Christopher Neff, Ed.D, is Director of Curriculum for the STEM Academy. Dr. Neff’s career has been rooted in developing and leading Career & Technical Education (CTE) curriculum development, implementation and instruction at high school and post-secondary education. “Students are the center of decisions” has been Chris’ mission throughout his career. Born and raised in a city rooted in manufacturing, he began his academic journey “being average” in high school and went on to pursue an Associate’s degree with the encouragement of a CTE teacher and his family. Today, Chris is a proud holder of degrees from Waukesha County Technical College (AAS) and the University of Wisconsin – Stout (BS, MS, EdD). Advocating for student success in the workforce has led to experiences with the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Ford Next Generation Learning, the Arbinger Institute, and transforming K12 education in a midwestern city through purposeful connections of employers with high school academic and work-based learning programming. Chris enjoys supporting his children, pre-teen and teenager, in their experiences and playing strategy board games with the family. In any time that remains, he enjoys exploring communities and learning new skills. 

About Jennifer

Jennifer Steiner serves as an Academic Advisor on the STEM 101 leadership team. In this capacity, she collaborates with teachers and school teams to support the implementation of STEM 101 programs. Her experience teaching the middle level STEM 101 courses, her previous work as a STEM 101 curriculum consultant, and her instructional coaching experience has provided her with an extensive knowledge of innovative pedagogical methods for project-based learning. Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University where she specialized in middle level math and science education. She earned a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University, and is currently working on her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership at Liberty University. Today Jennifer is an assistant principal at White Knoll High School where she heads the Office of Accountability. Previously, she taught middle school math and science at White Knoll Middle School, was a STEM teacher and robotics coach at Meadow Glen Middle School, and digital learning coach at River Bluff High School. While at River Bluff High School, she served as an instructional coach, assisting teachers with the impactful use of technology, and led professional development on EL Education strategies. She also sponsored the Girls Who Code club, hosted Women in Science and Engineering conferences for students, presented at International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), was a pilot member of Digital Promise’s Dynamic Learning Project, and became a Google for Education Certified Coach. 

About Justin

Justin Wilke actively supports STEM 101’s mission in his role as a Finance Operations Specialist. Drawing from experience in cost accounting, financial analysis, and management, he contributes a wealth of expertise to the team. Holding a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Justin has honed his expertise in financial operations, contributing to the success of various initiatives.

Beyond the professional realm, Justin is an avid sports enthusiast. His love for snowboarding, basketball, and tennis reflects a passion for both thrill-seeking and team dynamics. Justin’s dedication to the Milwaukee Bucks goes beyond cheering; he humorously considers himself eligible to coach, having invested significant time supporting the team. Justin embraces a mamba mentality in his approach to challenges, valuing the relentless pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement. He believes in learning from failures and past experiences, fostering a mindset that fuels personal and professional growth.

In his current role, Justin enjoys leveraging his diverse experiences to contribute to the growth of Stem 101, channeling his expertise to make a positive impact on the students the organization supports on a daily basis. His commitment to excellence, combined with his passion for sports and sustainability, shapes Justin as a dynamic and forward-thinking professional.

About Chris

Christopher Neff, Ed.D, is Director of Curriculum for the STEM Academy. Dr. Neff’s career has been rooted in developing and leading Career & Technical Education (CTE) curriculum development, implementation and instruction at high school and post-secondary education. “Students are the center of decisions” has been Chris’ mission throughout his career. Born and raised in a city rooted in manufacturing, he began his academic journey “being average” in high school and went on to pursue an Associate’s degree with the encouragement of a CTE teacher and his family. Today, Chris is a proud holder of degrees from Waukesha County Technical College (AAS) and the University of Wisconsin – Stout (BS, MS, EdD). Advocating for student success in the workforce has led to experiences with the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Ford Next Generation Learning, the Arbinger Institute, and transforming K12 education in a midwestern city through purposeful connections of employers with high school academic and work-based learning programming. Chris enjoys supporting his children, pre-teen and teenager, in their experiences and playing strategy board games with the family. In any time that remains, he enjoys exploring communities and learning new skills. 

About Jess

Jessica Boon is the Social Media Manager for STEM 101. She brings her extensive experience in social media marketing and customer communications, to assist our team in educating the public about our mission, educational services, and partnerships. Jess comes from a successful career in restaurant ownership and management, social media, and community relations. She has passion for serving others, youth mentorship, and community engagement. She assisted in creating training and culture content for a national restaurant brand. Her stores were recognized in the communities they served, and at the national brand level for Legendary Guest Service and Exceptional Leadership Training. She also led her business as one of the highest performing community involvement restaurants in the chain through fundraising efforts. Her expertise in social media was paramount in her success.  She attended UW Fond du Lac and holds an associate degree from UW Oshkosh. She enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family, serving others, and finding new ways to learn and grow.

About Susan

Susan Falk is Director of Marketing for STEM 101. Susan brings a wealth of background in communications and marketing, having developed and implemented campaigns for Fortune 100 companies, technology start-ups, associations and non-profits, including Growing Power, the American Society for Quality, among others. In recent years, through the Building2Learn Consortium, she has been instrumental in helping develop a workforce pipeline in the construction trades for students interested in apprenticeships. Her campaigns have been recognized by the National Women Executives in Public Relations, the National Association for Women in Communications, the Public Relations Society of America – Southeast Wisconsin Chapter, and the Business Marketing Association Milwaukee Chapter. Susan has served as past president of the Nicolet High School Foundation, Board Secretary of the Building2Learn Consortium, and on the boards of TEMPO Milwaukee, the Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University, and the marketing committees of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra board and Sojourner Family Peace Center.  Susan, who has instructed at both UW-Madison and Marquette University, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Wisconsin with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication. 

About Lauri

Lauri leads STEM 101 as the Director of Logistics. She has been a part of STEM 101 since 2020. She works with the management materials and delivery of STEM kits.

Lauri comes from a long career of education. She is a holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Families studies and a Masters’ degree in Guidance and Counseling from University of Wisconsin-Stout. She strives to see students and teachers succeed.

She enjoys being outdoors, helping others, and spending time with her family.

About Jennifer

Jennifer Steiner serves as an Academic Advisor on the STEM 101 leadership team. In this capacity, she collaborates with teachers and school teams to support the implementation of STEM 101 programs. Her experience teaching the middle level STEM 101 courses, her previous work as a STEM 101 curriculum consultant, and her instructional coaching experience has provided her with an extensive knowledge of innovative pedagogical methods for project-based learning. Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University where she specialized in middle level math and science education. She earned a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University, and is currently working on her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership at Liberty University. Today Jennifer is an assistant principal at White Knoll High School where she heads the Office of Accountability. Previously, she taught middle school math and science at White Knoll Middle School, was a STEM teacher and robotics coach at Meadow Glen Middle School, and digital learning coach at River Bluff High School. While at River Bluff High School, she served as an instructional coach, assisting teachers with the impactful use of technology, and led professional development on EL Education strategies. She also sponsored the Girls Who Code club, hosted Women in Science and Engineering conferences for students, presented at International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), was a pilot member of Digital Promise’s Dynamic Learning Project, and became a Google for Education Certified Coach. 

About Russ

Director of Academic Programs for STEM 101, Russ Hermann works closely with numerous institutions throughout the country. His responsibilities include consulting, onboarding, curriculum development, support and professional development. Russ comes from a long career in secondary education.  He is currently in his 27th year teaching CTE at a Wisconsin high school whose district adopted the STEM 101 curriculum in 2010. In 2012, his department was named Wisconsin’s high school Technology and Engineering Department of the year. Russ also earned the “Award of Excellence” from the WTEA (Wisconsin’s Technology Education Association) in 2017.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Technology and Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a master’s degree in Educational Technology from Marian University. Russ serves as a regular presenter at various state and national conferences, including the WTEA conference as well as the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (WSST) conference. 

About Katie

As the Director of Community and Government Relations for STEM 101, Katie Crowley brings a vast skillset from her years working in higher education and the public sector. Her experience working with local, national and international groups ensures STEM 101 programming reaches communities, institutions and organizations across the country. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a master’s degree from Texas A&M University. Her expertise is in Government Procedure and Regulation, Real Estate and Economic Development and Higher Education Data Analytics. She has served on boards for both Brazos Valley Counseling Services and the Aggie Pride LGBTQ+ Ally Former Student Network. She fundraises for and volunteers at the Brazos Valley Food Bank. Katie spends free time with her family, animals, gardening and as an accomplished runner, participating in both marathons and ultra running.

About Tom

Thomas DiCamillo leads STEM 101 as its Chief Technology Officer. Tom and his team are responsible for STEM 101’s web site and digital content, which ranges from the corporate Connections program to STEM 101’s Learning Management System and STEM 101 curriculum. Tom’s long career in Information Technology Systems includes working for an Autodesk Educational Reseller where he trained and consulted with universities, colleges and high schools promoting and maintaining Computer Aided Drafting programs. He attended Glendale Community College and Arizona State University studying CAD technology in its infancy. He likes to spend free time traveling, off-roading, and motorcycle riding around the southwestern states.

About Alan

Alan Gomez, Ph.D, is President and Chief Executive Officer of the STEM Academy (STEM 101). Dr. Gomez – or “Al” as he is known – leads the STEM 101 team, overseeing program and curriculum development and implementation, and partnerships. Al believes that all students can succeed in education and in life with proper guidance and mentorship.  A highly regarded educator with a background in engineering and CTE, Dr. Gomez is the principal author of “Engineering Your Future: A Project-Based Introduction to Engineering” and of “Survey of Engineering,” textbooks for use at the college freshman/high school and middle school levels. He has also published materials in professional journals including the Proceedings for the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and keynoted or presented at major conventions and conferences in more than 40 states. In addition, he has reviewed conference proceedings for the American Society for Engineering Education and the National Science Foundation. A former NASA Astronaut Candidate, Al holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.