2024 Science for All Summit
February 28-29, 2024
From IDEA to Action
Friday Conference Center | Chapel Hill, NC
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosted the second annual Science for All Summit on February 28-29, 2024. The Summit was designed to be a community convening to advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The purpose of the Summit was to engage educators, practitioners, researchers, thought leaders, and other change agents in conversation and knowledge building around emerging issues and innovative strategies related to advancing IDEA in STEM. Putting these ideals into practice requires an intentional focus on creating authentic and adaptive environments while simultaneously cultivating a community that collaborates, innovates, and implements promising practices shown to effect sustainable change. At the Summit, we provided opportunities to share new research findings, exchange resources, discuss strategies, and demonstrate effective practices and interventions.
The program included keynote addresses by Daniel Aguirre, Khalia Braswell, PhD, K. Renee Horton, PhD, and Corey Welch, PhD as well as a cultural evening at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center with a private screening of One Sky, Many Eyes in Morehead’s fulldome theater.
Daniel Aguirre is a father, son, grandson, brother, partner, seeker of equity, and Mexican. His experience was built through community organizing, working in and with cultural institutions, supporting STEM professionals and communicators of many backgrounds, and bridging the divisions of formal and informal education.
Dr. Khalia Braswell is an award-winning technologist whose personal mission is to make social change using technology. She is the Founder and Former Executive Director of INTech Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire girls and gender-expansive youth to create innovative solutions for social good.
Dr. K. Renee Horton is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM and works diligently in the community for STEM education and outreach. Renee believes in changing the face of STEM. She is the founder of Unapologetically Being, Inc., a nonprofit for advocacy and mentoring in STEM.
Dr. Corey Welch is the Director of the STEM Scholars Program at Iowa State University. His goal is to diversify who succeeds in science, thereby benefiting both STEM disciplines and our larger society. He is a proud member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe and a first-generation college graduate.
Location: 100 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
The two-day Summit incorporated keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities to encourage conversation and knowledge building. View the session agenda here.
Schedule:
Wednesday, February 28, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Friday Conference Center
Thursday, February 29, 8:30 am – 4:15 pm, Friday Conference Center
| Wednesday, February 28 | Thursday, February 29 |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am – Check-In and Breakfast | 8:30 am – Check-In and Breakfast |
| 9:00 am – 10:00 am – Keynote, Dr. Khalia Braswell | 9:00 am – 10:00 am – Keynote, Daniel Aguirre |
| 10:15 am – 11:15 am – Session 1 | 10:15 am – 11:15 am – Session 5 |
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Session 2 | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Session 6 |
| 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm – Lunch Keynote, Dr. Corey Welch | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Lunch |
| 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Session 3 | 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm – Session 7 |
| 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm – Session 4 | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Keynote, Dr. K. Renee Horton |
| 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm – Affinity Groups and Meetups | 4:00 pm – 4:15 pm – Closing |
Location: 250 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Summit participants and their guests were invited to a captivating cultural event—”An Evening of Many Eyes”—hosted at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center on Wednesday, February 28, from 6:00-8:00 pm. This unique experience featured engaging presentations by book authors and scientists, hands-on creativity as we examined the art of crafting corn husk dolls, and light hors d’oeuvres. The evening concluded with a private screening of One Sky, Many Eyes in Morehead’s fulldome theater.
Featured Presenters:
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| Dasan Ahanu | Ava the S.T.E.M. Princess | Nichole Efird | Dr. Rhea Miles |
Presenting Sponsor
Summit Champion
Summit Allies
Summit Exhibitors
We are grateful to the following individuals who volunteered their time to serve on the 2024 Steering Committee.
Ashley Boyette
Teacher, Carrington Middle School
Keyma Clark, EdD
Personal and Professional Development Coach, Wake Forest University
Eisha Clyde
Founder and Executive Director, The HBCU STEMulUS
Rene Daughtry
President/Founder, Aisymmetry
Linda Dion, NBCT
Program Coordinator, Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership
Ariana Eily, PhD
Lecturer, Elon University
Atrayus Goode
President and CEO, Youth Mentoring Collaborative
Dulce Guiliana-Skye
Student, Holly Springs High School
Crystal Harden, EdD
Director of Program and Access Initiatives, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Trudie Henninger
Education Outreach Manager, The North Carolina Arboretum
Kyla Keenan
Student Fellow, Education Justice Alliance and Director of Advocacy, Bay Society for Disability Justice, Holly Springs High School
Jamie Lathan, PhD
Vice Chancellor for Extended Learning, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Connie Locklear, EdD
Director of Indian Education, Public Schools of Robeson County
Alfred Mays
Chief Diversity Officer and Strategist, Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Stephani Page, PhD
Director of Strategic Initiatives, WEPAN – Women in Engineering ProActive Network
Josmell Perez
Director, Carolina Latinx Center
Keaundra Robinson
Equity Leadership and Strategy Coordinator, Durham Public Schools
Davron Rorie
Access Initiatives Specialist, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Torri Staton, PhD
Director of Equitable Economic Development and Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
Mark Townley
Assistant Director of Programs, Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership
Deanna Townsend-Smith, EdD
Senior Director, Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity & Opportunity
Megan Vinh, PhD
Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
Please contact scienceforallsummit@unc.edu with general inquiries.