"TheEarthandtheuniversebeyond belongtoallofus. TheInterstellarDreamsSpaceCenter cultivatesanawarenessofS.T.E.M.careers inaerospace,beyondbeinganastronaut."
Robin McDougal, Founder Interstellar Dreams
Established 2014
EIN: 46-5249711
The Pearl Project Institute for Innovation in STEM Literacy is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization founded in 2014 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.
The Pearl Project Institute's Interstellar Dreams Space Center is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of aerospace and cislunar economy leaders.
The Interstellar Dreams Space Center specializes in embedding critical thinking as a primary talent asset through simulation and immersion as an educational tool.
Our goal is to reach 1 million youth, especially girls,
EXPLORE IMAGINE INTERSTELLAR DREAMS SPACE CENTER"NEVER BE LIMITED BY OTHER PEOPLES IMAGINATION."MaeC.Jemison,NASAAstronaut,Physician,Engineer
S.T.E.M. jobs are projected to grow at a fast pace relative to other occupations. S.T.E.M. workers help drive our nation's innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas and new companies. As a result, workers need critical thinking and technical skills as their primary assets. According to Morgan Stanley (May 2022), "there is an accelerated rush to explore the expanding frontiers of the space economy." From Earth monitoring satellites to national security debris mitigation, the next generation must have the ability to solve problems that we do not yet know exist.
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.
"IMAGINATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN KNOWLEDGE, KNOWLEDGE IS LIMITED WHILE IMAGINATION ENCIRCLES THE WORLD"
ALBERT EINSTEIN
Grades 6-12
AFTERSCHOOLPROGRAMS
SUMMERINSTITUTES
ANNUALCONFERENCE
INTERNSHIPS
HOMESCHOOLPROGRAMS
PARENTACADEMICCOACHING
UNDERGRADUATE&GRADUATE
YOUNGEMERGINGADULTSCORPORATEMODELING
CAREERINTERNSHIPS
BLAZEENTREPRENEURIALACCELERATOR
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.
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.
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.
Our Goal: Reach 1 million Youth Especially Girls
"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
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ROBIN MCDOUGAL, FOUNDER & BOARD CHAIR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORCARLTON CARTER, PHD BOARD TREASURER
LATISHA DURHAM, NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, MARYLAND BOARD SECRETARY
Board of Advisors
AUDIE SERRANO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT-STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
JENNY OH, BUSINESS STRATEGY BOOZE ALLEN HAMILTON
ALLYSON MCDOUGAL, CO-FOUNDER WORKCHEW
EUGENE MCDOUGAL, RETIRED NATIONAL INSTITUE OF HEALTH
CHIMENE DAVIS, CEO SUBURBAN ENTERTAINMENT
LAUREN STUCKEY, M.ED.
MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATOR
SANDRA A. CAUFFMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ASTROPHYSICS DIVISION SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE, NASA HEADQUARTERS
DR. PETER P. PLAVCHAN, DIRECTOR, GMU OBSERVATORIES GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
MCLEE KEROLLE, SPACE LAWYER DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE SPACE COURT FOUNDATION INC.
CHE' BOLDEN, PRESIDENT and CEO, THE CHARLES F. BOLDEN GROUP
KEVIN TAYLOR, COMMUNICATION BY DESIGN-X, GREATER RESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
RENEE WYNN, FORMER CIO, NASA (RETIRED)
BRITT DUFFY ADKINS, FOUNDER AT CELESTIAL CITIZEN SPACE URBAN PLANNER
KARL WOOLLEY
GLOBALREAL-TIMEDIRECTOR ANIMATION&VISUALEFFECTS FRAMESTORE
CHEYENNE POLIUS, ASTROPHYSICIST; SPACE COMMUNICATOR
PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER OF THE ST LUCIA NATIONAL ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION
CARLOS NIEDERSTRASSER SENIOR STAFF SYSTEMS ARCHITECT NORTHROP GRUMMAN
JASMINE LEFLORE MSE, MBA
PROJECT ENGINEER ADVANCED DESIGN COLLINS AEROSPACE
DENNIS PAUL, SENIOR PROJECT LEAD AEROSPACE CORPORATION
RACHEL CHEETHAM
FOUNDER/CEO FINAL OFFSET LLC
FORMER SR. STAFF, DEFENSE INNOVATION BOARD, SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SHIREEN GERHOLD, INTERIOR ARCHITECT DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, OPX
MARY KENNEY LISCOMBE
RETIRED DIRECTOR EMERITUS, CHRISTA CORRIGAN
MCAULIFFE CENTER
CHALLENGER CENTER
CASEY VEATCH
PRINCIPAL, VEATCH COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
SPONSORS & PARTNERS INTER ASTRA
