Interstellar Dreamers Unite! 1800 Jonathan Way Ste #325 Reston,Virginia 20190 Robin.McDougal@interstellardreamspacecenter.org
What We Believe? "The Earth and the universe beyond belong to all of us. The Interstellar Dreams Space Center cultivates an awareness of S.T.E.M. careers in aerospace, beyond being an astronaut. " Robin McDougal, Founder Interstellar Dreams
Who We Are?
EXPLORE IMAGINE DESIGN INTERSTELLAR DREAMS SPACE CENTER
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. 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.
EIN: 46 5249711 "NEVER BE LIMITED BY OTHER PEOPLES IMAGINATION." Mae C. Jemison, NASA Astronaut, Physician, Engineer
Our Mission REACH ONE MILLION YOUTH, ESPECIALLY GIRLS AND UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES
The Interstellar Dreams Space Center is committed to expanding the aerospace workforce by identifying and nurturing Critical Thinking as a Primary Talent Asset through Micro Space Center Programming.
Micro Space Centers Mission Control Space Station Planetary Habitat
Interstellar Dreams Space Station
STATE-OF-THE-ART SIMULATORS IMMERSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WITH MISSION COMMAND, A SPACE STATION, AND PLANETARY HABITAT
Interstellar Dreams Planetary Habitat
“ People who can dream an interstellar dream can solve problems for humanity.” Robin McDougal, Founder Interstellar Dreams Mission Control
MICRO-SPACE CENTER
Explore Imagine Design
What We Do? TALENT CREATION & DEVELOPMENT
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
Developing Exceptional Minds for the Future
MICRO-SPACE CENTER
Interstellar Dreams Space Center Mission Command, George Mason University
Grades 6-12 AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS SUMMER INSTITUTES ANNUAL CONFERENCE INTERNSHIPS HOME SCHOOL PROGRAMS PARENT ACADEMIC COACHING
UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE
TALENT DEVELOPMENT
YOUNG EMERGING ADULTS CORPORATE MODELING CAREER INTERNSHIPS BLAZE ENTREPRENEURIAL ACCELERATOR
Micro Space Center Programs
Why? TALENT CREATION & DEVELOPMENT As space becomes more accessible, especially with developments in small satellites that have greater commercial viability, demand for aerospace engineers is expected to increase.
Critical Mass Begin Exiting by 2030 Employment of aerospace engineers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Aerospace Engineers 57% Age 43.5 16% Age 20-30
Increase Diversity and Inclusion Aerospace Engineers Male: 88.8% Female: 11.2% Asian 11% Developing Exceptional Minds for the Future Hispanic/Latino 10.8% Black or African American, 4.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
DR. ARTI VARANASI, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Mission Interstellar Dreams Space Centers are dedicated to cultivating an awareness of S.T.E.M. careers in aerospace, beyond being an astronaut. By bringing unique, experiential S.T.E.M. learning opportunities to national communities, we are on track to reaching 1 million youth, especially girls. Interstellar Dreams Space Center is the home of space flight simulations, engineering challenges, entrepreneurial endeavors, and critical thinking talent development. The Pearl Project Institute is currently serving public schools, recreational centers, faith-based programs, after-school and home-school communities. 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-to-use themed kits, summer institutes for middle and high school, and internships for college-aged young adults.
Our Goal: Reach 1 million Youth Especially Girls
"Interstellar Dreamers" use their talents and skills to make Earth better for all humankind. Our next generation of global leaders transcends limitations by blending technology, S.T.E.M. expertise, and friendship to launch innovative solutions for society. Follow the adventures of Pearl, Bae, Deepti, Jessie, Alejandra, Lonnie, Amber, and Dakotah as they encounter challenges that require collaboration and creative solutions that keep our world safe.
Our Supporters & Partners TALENT CREATION & DEVELOPMENT
The Pearl Project Institute was named for the pearl found in the body of the oyster. Cultivated over time, the pearl becomes highly valued. CORPORATIONS SOTERYEX, CORP FRAMESTORE GREATER RESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SCHOOLS & UNIVERSITIES VIRGINIA TECH GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
"The Earth and the universe beyond belong to all of us. The Interstellar Dreams Space Center cultivates an awareness of S.T.E.M. careers in aerospace, beyond being an astronaut. " Robin McDougal, M.Ed., MBA Founder & Chief Exploration Officer Robin McDougal is dedicated to creating a pipeline of top-tier tech professionals ready for the global workforce, especially in aerospace. An Advocate for S.T.E.M. literacy, Robin McDougal is the Founder and Chair of The Pearl Project Institute for Innovation in STEM Literacy and Interstellar Dreams Space Center located on the campus of George Mason University. Robin is a TEDx Talk Speaker, the designer of BLAZE Online Accelerator for Commercial Space Entrepreneurs, and the host of the BLAZEi Internship for Emerging Aerospace Professionals. In addition, she serves as Editor in Chief of Interstellar Magazine for Commercial Space Entrepreneurs a bimonthly publication with its finger on the pulse of today’s Cislunar Space Economy. Robin was selected to represent Microsoft to serve as, an entrepreneurial facilitator at the 2017 UNLEASH Global Challenge in Copenhagen, Denmark where she led an international team whose challenge was to design and implement solutions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where her teams won 1st and 3rd place in the global competition.
Join the Movement!
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
SANDRA A. CAUFFMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ASTROPHYSICS DIVISION SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE, NASA HEADQUARTERS
CHE' BOLDEN, PRESIDENT & CEO THE CHARLES F. BOLDEN GROUP
DR. PETER P. PLAVCHAN, DIRECTOR, GMU OBSERVATORIES GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
RENEE WYNN, FORMER CIO, NASA (RETIRED)
SAMUEL WIGGINS COO & EVP BUSINESS INTELLIEGENCE DIVISION SOTERYX CORPORATION
JOYCE BURNETT, SPACE FORCE OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT U.S. AIR FORCE PENTAGON
JASMINE LEFLORE MSE, MBA PROJECT ENGINEER ADVANCED DESIGN COLLINS AEROSPACE
KARL WOOLLEY GLOBAL REAL-TIME DIRECTOR ANIMATION & VISUAL EFFECTS FRAMESTORE
DENNIS PAUL, SENIOR PROJECT LEAD AEROSPACE CORPORATION
CHEYENNE POLIUS, PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER THE ST LUCIA NATIONAL ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION
KEVIN TAYLOR, ANA LITK, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GREATER RESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
CARLOS NIEDERSTRASSER SENIOR STAFF SYSTEMS ARCHITECT NORTHROP GRUMMAN
SHAUN WIGGINS PRESIDENT & CEO SOTERYX CORPORATION
CASEY VEATCH PRINCIPAL, VEATCH COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
MCLEE KEROLLE SPACE LAWYER DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE SPACE COURT FOUNDATION INC.
SHARON REED COMMUNICATION MANAGER FAIRFAX COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SUSANA MARINO PRESIDENT AND CEO NOVA HISPANIC AMERICAN CHAMBER
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
INTER ASTRA
Ready For Launch! 1800 Jonathan Way Ste #325 Reston,Virginia 20190 Robin.McDougal@interstellardreamspacecenter.org