Light The Fire, Start the BLAZE!

The Dawn Of Space Entrepreneurs

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.

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.

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 DIRECTOR

CARLTON 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

Advisory Board Members

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

Advisory Board Members

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