The Science and Technology of Emerging Materials Symposium (STEMS 25) was held at UCF on November 15–16, 2025, and was organized by the PREM Center for Quantum Materials Innovation and Education Excellence. The symposium’s objectives were to: (i) introduce PREM students to cutting-edge materials research topics, (ii) enhance research collaboration and provide training opportunities to PREM students, (iii) build a strong PREM student community, (iv) provide opportunities for professional development and network building to PREM students, and (v) give opportunities to students to present their research work in front of other materials experts and receive feedback.

The symposium drew 79 participants and featured invited speakers from the University of Washington, Georgia Tech, the University of Maryland, the University of South Carolina, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and North Carolina A&T. Programming included six technical sessions with 9 invited talks and 18 contributed talks spanning novel emerging materials synthesis, characterization, and applications in energy, catalysis, biology, electronics, photonics, and magnetics. Among the 18 contributed talks, 10 were presented by UCF PREM graduate and undergraduate students.

A poster session showcased 31 posters and concluded with a reception.

Beyond the technical program, an industry panel discussion offered students direct insight into industrial career pathways. Panelists from Lockheed Martin, Kepler Scientific, Horiba Instruments, and 3M shared their industrial career experience and addressed student questions on topics including typical day-to-day responsibilities, work-life balance, networking, resume building, the importance of a LinkedIn profile, the transition from graduate school to an industry career, the usefulness of publications in securing industry roles, and the transition from an industry career to graduate school.

The symposium also included a session on the PREM experience and opportunities. Two PREM graduate scholars and three PREM undergraduate scholars shared their experiences in the program, discussing their backgrounds and future plans, how being part of PREM changed their outlook, how visiting UW or other institutions impacted them, and an exciting moment in their research career so far. They also answered audience questions.