Our Mission
Breaking the barrier to STEM excellence by expanding access to competitions and empowering underrepresented students to reach their full potential in STEM.
Message from the Founders
Through our experiences in STEM olympiads, we've seen firsthand how talented students can be discouraged when they don't see themselves represented or supported. When students from diverse backgrounds are given the opportunity and confidence to participate, the entire community is strengthened. Expanding access to competitions can open doors to opportunities, scholarships, academic pathways, and futures that students never believed were possible.
We started Next Horizon with the belief that every student deserves access to these STEM opportunities. By creating a supportive and inclusive space for STEM preparation, we work to empower underrepresented students to build confidence, develop skills, and reach their potential in STEM.
-Wenhao, David, Andrew, Jonathan
Why Diversity Matters
Even at the middle school level, students from historically underrepresented backgrounds are significantly underrepresented in STEM competitions. A national survey of MathCounts participants found that students from minority groups made up only about 10.6% of participants, despite making up roughly 40-45% of the school-age population. Early exposure and participation in competitions often lead to advanced coursework, opportunities, and STEM career pathways. So when these students are underrepresented, it perpetuates inequalities in education and the future STEM workforce.
Underrepresented students earn only about 18% of science and engineering bachelor’s degrees and account for approximately 24% of STEM professionals in the U.S. workforce, despite making up a larger proportion of the population. This highlights the ongoing need to provide access, mentorship, and supportive environments that empower and encourage all students to succeed in STEM.
Increasing diversity strengthens the entire STEM community by allowing every student to shape the future of STEM.
What We Stand For
We strive for excellence in everything we do, pushing students to reach their full potential.
Creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
Fostering the next generation of innovaters and leaders.
Supporting continuous learning and development in STEM that go far beyond competitions.
Our Vision
We envision a future where every student, regardless of their background, has access to high-quality STEM education and opportunities. Through our programs, we aim to bridge the gap in STEM education and create a more diverse and inclusive community of learners.
What We Do
- •Host regular competitions to encourage participation and strengthen problem solving skills
- •Provide guidance from experienced mentors in order to inspire confidence and guide learning
- •Offer free STEM courses to help students build skills and confidence to succeed in competitions and future STEM careers
- •Build a supportive community of learners and leaders