2025 Science for All Summit
March 3 – 4, 2025
From IDEA to Action
Friday Conference Center | Chapel Hill, NC
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosted the third annual Science for All Summit on March 3 – 4, 2025. The Summit was designed to be a community convening to advance access 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 access 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 2025 program included keynote addresses by Dr. André Isaacs, Dr. Valencia Hicks-Harris, Dr. Terrell R. Morton, and Dr. Crystal Harden.
A native of Jamaica, Dr. André Isaacs is an Associate Professor at the College of the Holy Cross. In addition to conducting research and teaching Organic Chemistry, Isaacs is one of the co-founding members of Outfront – the college’s LGBTQ faculty and staff alliance. He also uses his social media platform to challenge and dismantle the normative culture in STEM and to increase the visibility of queer and BIPOC folks.
The Executive Director and Founder of Empower All, Inc., Dr. Valencia Hicks-Harris boasts over 13 years of expertise in elementary and STEM education. As one of the first two graduates in the Educational Equity Doctoral Program from NC State University, she is a trailblazer, dedicated to diversifying the teacher pipeline, increasing representation in STEM, and ensuring equitable education for all students.
A self-described Scholar-Activist, Dr. Terrell R. Morton is an Assistant Professor of Identity and Justice in STEM Education at the University of Illinois Chicago. His work strives to transform the positioning and understanding of Blackness in mainstream education, seeking justice and joy for Black women, Black students, and other minoritized individuals. Through every endeavor, Morton strives to “walk it like he talks it.”
The founder of the Science for All Summit, Dr. Crystal Harden manages educational programs and access initiatives for Morehead, including on-site and outreach opportunities. She collaborates with faculty, researchers, and communities to develop and implement accessible STEM curricula. Harden’s research interests include the science identity expression of rural African American middle school-aged girls.
Location: 100 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
The two-day Summit incorporated keynote presentations, workshops, breakout and poster sessions, and networking opportunities to encourage conversation and knowledge building.
Schedule:
Monday, March 3, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Friday Conference Center
Tuesday, March 4, 8:00 am – 2:30 pm, Friday Conference Center
| Monday, March 3 | Tuesday, March 4 |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am – Check-In and Breakfast | 8:00 am – Check-In and Breakfast |
| 9:00 am – 10:00 am – Keynote, Dr. André Isaacs | 8:45 am – 9:45 am – Keynote, Dr. Crystal Harden and Dr. Valencia Hicks-Harris |
| 10:15 am – 12:15 pm – Workshop 1 | 10:00 am – 12:00 am – Workshop 3 |
| 10:15 am – 11:15 am – Session 1 | 10:00 am – 11:00 am – Session 5 |
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Session 2 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm – Session 6 |
| 12:35 pm – 2:00 pm – Lunch | 12:20 pm – 1:20 pm – Lunch |
| 12:35 pm – 2:00 pm – Keynote, Dr. Terrell Morton | 1:25 pm – 2:00 pm – Poster Session |
| 2:15 pm – 4:15 pm – Workshop 2 | 2:00 pm – Closing Remarks |
| 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm – Session 3 | |
| 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Session 4 |
Presenting Sponsor
Summit Champion
Christy & Joel Shaffer
Summit Allies
Summit Exhibitors
We are grateful to the following individuals who volunteered their time to serve on the 2025 Steering Committee.
Ashley Boyette
Aftercare and Enrichment Manager, Jewish Community Center
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
Crystal Harden, EdD
Director of Program and Access Initiatives, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Trudie Henninger
Education Outreach Manager, The North Carolina Arboretum
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
Adam El-Ramly
Senior, Durham School of the Arts
Alina Azhar
Senior, J.D. Clement Early College
Please contact scienceforallsummit@unc.edu with general inquiries.