Interstellar Dreams
"TheEarthandtheuniversebeyond belongtoallofus. TheInterstellarDreamsSpaceCenter cultivatesanawarenessofS.T.E.M.careers inaerospace,beyondbeinganastronaut."
Robin McDougal, Founder
MaeC.Jemison,NASAAstronaut,Physician,Engineer
The Pearl Project Institute for Innovation in STEM Literacy is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization founded in 2014 and is designed to create a direct pipeline of STEM literate youth ready for the global workforce. Our mission is to fan the flames of invention and innovation between experts, novice professionals, and our youth.. Our goal is to reach 1 million youth, especially girls through summer STEM institutes, Space Science Center, Teacher Training, STEM Ready-to-Go Kits, Tell-A-Girl social media campaign, animated Pearl Project characters, BLAZE entrepreneurial challenge, and space flightEXPLOREwww.thepearlprojectinstitue.orgsimulations.IMAGINEDESIGN TRAVEL WHERE YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS "NEVER BE LIMITED BY OTHER PEOPLES IMAGINATION."
WHAT IS S.T.E.M. LITERACY? STEM jobs are projected to grow at a fast pace relative to other occupations. S.T.E.M. workers help drive our nations innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas and new companies. As a result, workers need critical thinking and technical skills that come with STEM training. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce 2017 Report; STEM workers drive innovation (as measured by patents), STEM occupations are projected to grow by 8.9 percent from 2014 to 2024. NURTURING STEM LITERACY 6CharacteristicsofSTEMLiteracybyRobinMcDougal,M.Ed.(2012) INTERSTELLAR THINKING Design Thinking Set & Achieve Goals Persistence Behavior Precision & Accuracy Collaborative Leadership Communicate Problem Solving Ideas
The Pearl Project Institute was named for the pearl found in the body of the oyster. Cultivated over time, the pearl becomes highly valued. Like the Pearl, we cultivate the next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) leaders especially girls. With a focus on aerospace, we want to ensure today’s youth are groomed for career opportunities as they take their place in the next frontier of space exploration.
EXPLORE IMAGINE DESIGN "IMAGINATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN KNOWLEDGE, KNOWLEDGE IS LIMITED WHILE IMAGINATION ENCIRCLES THE WORLD" ALBERT EINSTEIN Developing Exceptional Minds for the Future
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROBIN MCDOUGAL, FOUNDER & BOARD CHAIR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AUDIE PARTNERSHIPSCONSULTANT-STRATEGICBUSINESSSERRANODEVELOPMENT ALLYSON CO-FOUNDERMCDOUGAL,WORKCHEW JENNY OH, BUSINESS STRATEGY BOOZE ALLEN HAMILTON CHIMENE DAVIS, CEO SUBURBAN ENTERTAINMENT Board of Advisors CARLTON CARTER, PHD BOARD TREASURER LATISHA DURHAM, NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS BOARDMARYLANDCOMMAND,SECRETARY "THE PEARL PROJECT INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION IN STEM LITERACY is a non-profit organization designed to create a direct pipeline of STEM literate youth ready for the global workforce by fanning the flames of invention and innovation between experts, novice professionals and youth, especially girls." Robin McDougal –Founder LAUREN STUCKEY, M.ED. MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLSEUGENEADMINISTRATORMCDOUGAL, RETIRED NATIONAL INSTITUE OF HEALTH
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS SANDRA A. CAUFFMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ASTROPHYSICS SCIENCEDIVISIONMISSION DIRECTORATE, NASA HEADQUARTERS DR. PETER P. PLAVCHAN, DIRECTOR, GMU OBSERVATORIES GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY MCLEE KEROLLE, SPACE DEPUTYLAWYEREXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE SPACE COURT FOUNDATION INC. BRITT DUFFY ADKINS, FOUNDER AT CELESTIAL CITIZEN SPACE URBAN PLANNER CHEYENNE ASSOCIATIONNATIONALCO-FOUNDERPRESIDENTCOMMUNICATORASTROPHYSICIST;POLIUS,SPACE&OFTHESTLUCIAASTRONOMY KEVIN COMMUNICATIONTAYLOR, BY DESIGN-X, GREATER RESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NORTHROPARCHITECTSENIORCARLOSNIEDERSTRASSERSTAFFSYSTEMSGRUMMAN CHE' PRESIDENTBOLDEN,and CEO, THE CHARLES F. BOLDEN GROUP SHIREEN DEVELOPMENT,DIRECTORINTERIORGERHOLD,ARCHITECTOFBUSINESSOPXMARYKENNEYLISCOMBERETIREDDIRECTOREMERITUS,CHRISTACORRIGANMCAULIFFECENTERCHALLENGERCENTERJASMINELEFLOREMSE,MBAPROJECTENGINEERADVANCEDDESIGNCOLLINSAEROSPACECASEYVEATCHPRINCIPAL,VEATCHCOMMERCIALREALESTATE
In Partnership with
THE DAWN OF SPACE ENTREPRENEURS
Light The Fire, Start the BLAZE!
Today's space entrepreneurs are a mixed bag of talent, skills, and professions at varying stages of launching their BIG idea. By developing space-driven technology in the areas of robotics, drones, AI, wearables, and satellites, our founders are positioned to solve earth-based problems as a launchpad for offplanet needs. The BLAZE Accelerator identifies the next generation of frontier technology by nurturing emerging and early-stage space entrepreneurs, especially women. Our entrepreneurs are artists, fashion designers, product developers, UX designers, game developers, educators, engineers, architects coders, journalists, and environmentalists collaborating on the next BIG idea.
Our Goal: Reach 1 million Youth Especially Girls
The Pearl Project Institute is currently serving the Washington DMV ( Wash DC, VA, MD) Title 1 public school, county recreational centers, area‘s faithbased programs, after-school community, and homeschooling community. Since 2012, the Pearl Project’s STEM curriculum has guided, teachers, administrators, parents, and community leaders through the “how-to” of STEM learning with easy-touse themed kits.
DR. ARTI VARANASI, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY Not-for-Profit 501 (c) 3 was established in 2014 EIN: 46-5249711
Mission Interstellar Dreams Space Center will be the home of space flight simulations, engineering challenges, entrepreneurial endeavors, and talent development. By bringing unique, experiential STEM learning opportunities to our community, we are expanding our mission to inspire the next generation of global leaders. Based in Northern Virginia’s Dulles high-tech corridor, Interstellar Dreams Space Center is rooted in Northern Virginia, the 10th largest school district in the United States. Interstellar Dreams Space Center will be conveniently located steps from rail transportation, minutes from the 495 beltway, 95 interstate highway, and 2 airports.
TALENT DEVELOPMENTBLAZECAREERYOUNGPARENTHOMEINTERNSHIPSANNUALSUMMERAFTERSCHOOLPROGRAMSINSTITUTESCONFERENCESCHOOLPROGRAMSACADEMICCOACHINGEMERGINGADULTSCORPORATEMODELINGINTERNSHIPSENTREPRENEURIALACCELERATOR UNDERGRADUATE&GRADUATE Grades 6-12 In Partnership with
ReadyForLaunch!