Empowering the Next Generation: Inland Empire Tech Bridge Hosts Final Day of STEP’s STEM in Defense Program

Students participating in the STEM in Defense program share their ideas during a team discussion at the Inland Empire Tech Bridge, wrapping up a week of hands-on learning focused on innovation, national security, and real-world problem solving.

Norco, CA—In June 2025, the Inland Empire Tech Bridge proudly hosted the culminating day of the Science and Technology Education Partnership’s (STEP) STEM in Defense program—a dynamic, five-day initiative designed to introduce local high school students to career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), with a special focus on national defense and dual-use innovation.

Held across multiple innovation-focused sites throughout the region, the five-day experience provided students with an immersive introduction to in-demand fields like cybersecurity, data science, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. Throughout the week, students visited key Inland Empire innovation hubs, including Cal Baptist University’s Aviation School, UC Riverside’s Data Visualization Lab, the Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center, and Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona Division.

The Inland Empire Tech Bridge hosted students on the final day, offering a collaborative and supportive environment for the presentation of their Design Challenge solutions—team-based projects that tackled real-world regional and national security problems. With guidance from mentors, students pitched their final solutions in front of family members and innovation leaders, demonstrating both technical creativity and public speaking skills.

Students also had the opportunity to hear from Navy personnel and Tech Bridge leadership, including Troy Clarke, Strategic Advisor at NSWC Corona and Director of the Inland Empire Tech Bridge. His remarks emphasized the importance of innovation, regional collaboration, and the role of the next generation in advancing both national defense and local economic development.

The STEM in Defense program not only showcased the incredible potential of Inland Empire youth but also reinforced the region’s commitment to building a pipeline of diverse, technically skilled talent. The Inland Empire Tech Bridge remains dedicated to supporting initiatives like STEP that invest in future innovators and strengthen our regional innovation ecosystem.

Stay connected with the people, programs, and partnerships driving technology, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across the Inland Empire by checking out innovationempire.us.