What is the name of your organization?
Scoutlier by Aecern
What is the name of your solution?
Scoutlier Pathways
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Through real-world challenges and mentorship, Scoutlier Pathways helps students discover their strengths and turn them into future-ready careers.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Tampa, FL, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
USA
What type of organization is your solution team?
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
In the U.S. alone, nearly 4 million youth are not engaged in education, employment, or training (NEET). Research shows this often begins with a lack of early exposure to meaningful, career-connected learning that integrates workforce needs with required educational standards.
Schools operate with about 180 instructional days per year, and are expected to meet a wide range of academic mandates. While many educators want to prepare students for future careers, they are not equipped to teach the rapidly evolving skills demanded by the modern workforce. Employers urgently need adaptable, entry-level workers who can think critically to solve problems, and apply emerging STEM technologies like AI and automation.
Before Scoutlier, there was a lack of structured, scalable methods to connect industry with public education; with disengagement beginning at 13 and deepening as students progress through systems focused on test performance, not career relevance. By the time students are eligible for most workforce programs at 16, many have already lost interest or confidence.
This cycle of insecurity is compounded by inaccessible government programs and impersonal hiring systems. Many youth accept survival jobs, not because they lack potential, but because they never had a chance to see where their strengths could take them.
What is your solution?
Scoutlier Pathways is a career-connected learning model powered by Scoutlier.com. It trains educators and STEM industry leaders to co-create experiential STEM opportunities that align with real workforce needs. The platform uses AI and engagement tools to provide real-time insight into how students interact with content, giving mentors and educators actionable feedback to improve learning and participation.
The process begins with a virtual interview between educators and industry mentors, where they discuss how their fields intersect and highlight the STEM advancements shaping their work. AI then generates a Rapid Innovation Challenge that ties workforce needs to K–12 learning standards, offering students an opportunity to learn through real-world problem-solving.
Challenges are evaluated with virtual rubrics that help mentors identify high-potential candidates and guide educators in delivering timely support. As students progress, they earn blockchain-backed microcredentials—tangible proof of their workforce readiness and a tool for employers to identify emerging talent.
Pilot programs have shown that successful participants were offered virtual internships and entry-level positions with STEM industries, many while still enrolled in high school. Scoutlier Pathways creates an integrated, scalable model that empowers students to build confidence, gain relevant experience, and move toward careers in AI, automation, and sustainable technology.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Scoutlier Pathways serves middle, high school, and early college students—particularly those in the lower quartiles of standardized testing—who are often overlooked. They’re excluded from advanced academic programs due to grades and missed by workforce initiatives based solely on income or language acquisition. These students are frequently mislabeled as unmotivated. In reality, they’ve rarely had meaningful opportunities to apply their strengths. Many live far from innovation ecosystems, lack transportation, or at-home support to navigate options independently. Often balancing school with jobs or caregiving, they are creative and capable, but need access, context, and encouragement.
We’re piloting Scoutlier Pathways in Florida, California, Massachusetts, and Texas—states that offer free community college. These programs provide opportunity, but without early career-connected experiences, many students enroll without direction. When unsure of their interests or strengths, even “free” education can lead to disengagement or decisions that drive debt.
This isn’t about pushing students into narrow tracks. It’s about helping them discover where they thrive and understand that AI, automation, and problem-solving will shape every future career. When students build these skills early, they’re more confident choosing the right path—and more empowered to break cycles of generational poverty.
