Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are the life force for innovation in our ever-advancing world. Exposing students to STEM firsthand, drives motivation and inspiration to pursue our increasing need for innovation.

Join us for an exhilarating celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at our highly anticipated STEM Day Extravaganza! This event is designed to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and inspire the next generation of innovators, scientists, and engineers. Featuring a wide variety of career fields, students can receive interactive learning experiences in STEM careers. This year, MacDill will be inviting 2,000 students to participate in an exclusive opportunity.

Date: October 31, 2025, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: MacDill AFB

Registration Required (Pending POC)

Event Highlights

Interactive Exhibits: Engage in hands-on activities and interactive exhibits that showcase the wonders of STEM. From robotics demonstrations to virtual reality experiences, explore the cutting-edge technologies shaping our future.

Hands-On Challenges: Challenge your problem-solving skills with fun and stimulating STEM activities. Participate in competitions, puzzles, and experiments designed to foster teamwork, critical thinking, and a love for learning.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to celebrate STEM excellence, explore new frontiers, and ignite the flame of curiosity within you. Join us for our STEM Day Extravaganza where students will be inspired, educated, and discover endless possibilities!

For more information about our STEM Day Extravaganza, contact 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs 813-828-2217

How it began:

MacDill STEM Day started six years ago as a way to fill a local need. Every year MacDill receives over 50 requests from school-aged organizations to tour the base. Realizing we needed to fulfill 35-105's "inspire the best and most qualified candidates to serve" while balancing real-world mission requirements, JROTC day was created.

We cleaned out a hangar and invited all of our school-aged tours on a single day. Instead of touring the base, we brought the experts to the students. The first year only five school-aged groups attended and the next year word spread and 11 groups attended. JROTC day continued to grow and we soon chose to expand beyond ROTC programs, sharing the story of our Air Force with the general student population.

Where we are today:

As the needs of our Air Force shift and with innovation at the forefront, JROTC evolved into STEM Day. With displays from not only MacDill but local student innovations and our industry partners, the event connects brainstorming happening in the classroom today to innovations in the military and workplace. With every branch of service represented, over 1,300 students witnessed how they can shape tomorrow’s military, regardless of their interest area.

This year, MacDill will welcome 2,000 students to see firsthand how student innovations, industry partners and military modernization align.

 How to host your own STEM Day:

Quality over quantity. It is important to start out with a small impactful event, then seek to expand in the years to follow. Whether it’s 20 or 2,000 attendees, if done right, your event can spark an innovator for our Air Force. On this page you will find, numerous links to help you start your own STEM Day.

However, we understand that sometimes it’s best to speak to a human, and we are here to help where we can. You can reach us at 813-828-2217 or email us at communityrelations@us.af.mil.

“In a world where far more innovation is happening outside the government than inside of it, connecting to that broader scientific enterprise is absolutely vital to our future. The creativity, initiative and spirit of the American Airmen and American industry must now be leveraged in new domains in more contexts to solve more problems faster.” - Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson

Q1. Will lunch be provided? A1. No. Schools/groups attending STEM Day will be responsible for providing their own lunch accommodations.

Q2. Is there a chaperone to student ratio number we need to be aware of for the event? A2. On MacDill's side, there is no standard chaperone-student ratio. That will be determined by individual schools/groups. Security Forces will be present to ensure no guests wander into restricted areas such as the flightline.

Q3. Is there time during the three hours for the students to eat lunch (I know lunch is not provided, but didn't know if there was time in schedule for it or if it was better for students to eat after the event)? A3. There will be a designated lunch area for students to eat lunch at the discretion of how/when each school group wants to take lunch.

Q4. Will transportation be provided to the hangar? A4. No. Schools/groups are encouraged to consolidate in a single vehicle/bus to drop students off at the hangar. Drivers will be shuttled to and from the hangar to the designated parking area.

Q5. What gate should we use to enter the base on STEM Day? A5. Schools/groups will use the main gate at the south end of Dale Mabry Highway. 

Q6. Is STEM Day open to the public? A6. No. Only organizations pre-approved will be able to attend. To submit your group’s application to STEM Day, please go here to sign up.

Q7. What do guests wear to STEM Day? A7. Comfortable clothing is encouraged. Closed toed shoes are required to reduce risk of injury in and around static aircraft displays, machinery, and other technology displays. 

For specific questions regarding STEM Day, please contact 6 ARW Public Affairs by email at communityrelations@us.af.milor by phone at 813-828-2217.

While STEM Day happens once a year, we have several flying classrooms per year. A flying classroom is simply a flight on a local training mission that we allow students.

Flying Classrooms allows us to leverage local training missions, transforming them into flying classrooms for students to address the increasing need for science, technology, engineering and  mathematics professionals in the Air Force. Flying classrooms serve as an interactive entry point to the Air Force, ultimately inspiring future generations of aviators.