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Science for All Summit

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Save the Date

February 20-21, 2025

Friday Conference Center | Chapel Hill, NC

On April 5-6, 2023, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosted the inaugural Science for All Summit at the Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill, NC. We hosted the second annual Science for All Summit on February 28-29, 2024. We are already looking forward to hosting the third annual Science for All Summit on February 20-21, 2025.

The Summit is 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 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 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 will provide opportunities to share new research findings, exchange resources, discuss strategies, and demonstrate effective practices and interventions.

The 2024 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. You can learn more about the program below.

Daniel Aguirre

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.

Khalia Braswell

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.

Corey Welch

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 will incorporate keynote presentations, plenary sessions, and networking opportunities to encourage conversation and knowledge building. View the session agenda here.

Tentative Schedule:
Wednesday, February 28, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Friday Conference Center
Thursday, February 29, 8:30 am – 4:30 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 are 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 will feature engaging presentations by book authors and scientists, hands-on creativity as we examine the art of crafting corn husk dolls, and light hors d’oeuvres. The evening will conclude with a private screening of One Sky, Many Eyes in Morehead’s fulldome theater.

There will be a separate $10 ticket per person for the Wednesday evening program. Summit participants may purchase up to 4 tickets for this event.

Featured Presenters:

Dasan Ahanu Ava the S.T.E.M. Princess Nichole Efird Dr. Rhea Miles

Registration for the 2025 Summit will open on December 1Join 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:
$75 student rate
$95 educator rate
$195 nonprofit and college/university rate
$295 corporate rate

You can request scholarship assistance by completing our brief scholarship application here prior to registering. You will be notified about your scholarship status in early December.

Register for the Summit here.

Register for the Evening Program here.

Participants will be able to purchase Summit t-shirts on site at the Friday Conference Center. You can reserve a t-shirt when you complete your registration.

T-Shirts – $30
t-shirt design

Please download our flyer to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Presenting Sponsor

Burroughs Wellcome Fund logo

Summit Champion

BASF logo

Summit Allies

Summit Exhibitors

We are grateful to the following individuals who are volunteering 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 Inclusion 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
Equity and Inclusion 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

Accommodations are the responsibility of individual participants.

A block of rooms has been held at the following properties:

Courtyard by Marriott
100 Marriott Way
Chapel Hill NC 27517
Conference rate: $134/night

Hampton Inn & Suites
6121 Farrington Road
Chapel Hill NC 27517
Conference rate: $134/night

The cutoff for reservations using the group discount is 5:00 pm on January 28, 2024.

I am interested in submitting a proposal. How long will the sessions last and how many people will participate? Plenary sessions will be 1 hour with approximately 20-40 participants depending on the level of interest in the topic.

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 here 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.

We are grateful to Burroughs Wellcome Fund for their generous support as the presenting sponsor.

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