Science for All Summit
Save the Date!
February 20-21, 2025
Friday Conference Center | Chapel Hill, NC
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosted the inaugural Science for All Summit in April 2023 and the second annual Summit in February 2024. We are already looking forward to hosting the third annual Summit on February 20-21, 2025.
The Summit is a community convening to advance access and opportunity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. The purpose of the Summit is 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 will provide opportunities to share new research findings, exchange resources, discuss strategies, and demonstrate effective practices and interventions.
The 2025 program will include keynote addresses by Dr. André Isaacs, Dr. Valencia Hicks-Harris, Dr. Terrell R. Morton, Dr. Stephani Page, 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.”
As the Managing Director of Programs, Strategic Initiatives, and Community Engagement for WEPAN and the Community Manager for the ARC Network, Dr. Stephani Page is a community engagement professional with over 15 years of experience. She is the creator of the #BLACKandSTEM community which has a social media following of nearly 17,000 individuals and organizations. Page has been recognized for her work in outlets like Fast Company, NPR, Nature, and Forbes.
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 will incorporate keynote presentations, workshops, breakout and poster sessions, and networking opportunities to encourage conversation and knowledge building.
Tentative Schedule:
Thursday, February 20, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Friday Conference Center
Friday, February 21, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm, Friday Conference Center
Registration for the 2025 Summit is now open. Join our mailing list to stay up to date on all Summit announcements.
The registration fee includes 2 continental breakfasts and 2 lunches as well as digital access to Summit resources including presenter slides and handouts. CEUs may be available for qualifying participants.
Registration Rates:
$85 student rate
$105 educator rate
$205 nonprofit and college/university rate
$305 corporate rate
Please download our flyer to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Presenting Sponsor
Summit Champion
Summit Allies
Summit Exhibitors
We are grateful to the following individuals who are volunteering 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
Accommodations are the responsibility of individual participants.
A block of rooms will be held at the following properties:
Courtyard by Marriott
100 Marriott Way
Chapel Hill NC 27517
Conference rate: $139 per night
Book your group rate
Hampton Inn & Suites
6121 Farrington Road
Chapel Hill NC 27517
Conference rate: $139 per night
Book your group rate
The cutoff for reservations using the group discount is 5:00 pm on January, 29, 2025.
I am interested in submitting a proposal. How long will the workshops and sessions last and how many people will participate? Workshops will be 2 hours with a maximum of 25 participants, depending on the level of interest in the topic. Breakout sessions will be 1 hour with approximately 70-90 participants depending on the level of interest in the topic. There is also an option to submit a poster proposal for the 2025 Summit. Poster sessions will be incorporated within the schedule for ~30 minutes in the Friday Center lobby area.
What information is required to submit a proposal? You can preview all the questions on the proposal submission form here.
Are there scholarships available to ensure the Summit is accessible and inclusive? Yes! Please complete our brief scholarship application prior to registering. You will be notified about your scholarship status in early December.
Where is the Friday Conference Center located? The address for the Friday Conference Center is 100 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.
Please contact scienceforallsummit@unc.edu with general inquiries.
Please contact Adam Phelps to discuss sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.