The clocks will soon spring forward (for most of us), but there's still plenty of time to settle in and learn about the world of STEM Opportunities in Prison Settings (STEM-OPS). Within this issue of STEM-OPS News, you'll find a wealth of exciting announcements, valuable insights from our esteemed partners, and much more. |
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Please share this newsletter with your friends and colleagues.
Newsletter at a Glance - From the Desktop of STEM-OPS Leadership
- Featured Stories
- The sySTEM Impacted Podcast
- STEM-OPS Blog
- STEM-OPS Partner Updates
- STEM-OPS Network “In the News”
- Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- Resources Recommended by STEM-OPS Core Partners
- Job Openings/Boards
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| From the Desktop of STEM-OPS Leadership |
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Dear Resilient Minds,
In the pursuit of knowledge and dreams, let me share a message of unwavering encouragement with those who have faced the challenges of incarceration and are now aspiring to thrive in the world of STEM.
I stand before you as Dr. Stanley Andrisse, an endocrinologist scientist who once faced the confines of incarceration but emerged stronger, more determined, and committed to the transformative power of education. Your past does not define your future. You are not limited by the walls that once surrounded you, but rather are empowered by the boundless potential within. |
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In the realm of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), brilliance knows no boundaries. Regardless of where you've been, your intellect and passion are the keys that unlock the doors to discovery and innovation. Embrace the challenges as stepping stones, for they have sculpted the resilient individual you are today.
Remember, diversity of thought and experience enriches the scientific community. Your unique journey brings perspectives that can drive groundbreaking solutions and insights. Your past may be a chapter in your story, but it does not dictate the ending.
Every equation, every hypothesis, every experiment is an opportunity to transcend the limitations imposed by society. Seize it with unwavering determination. Your journey might be unconventional, but let it be a beacon of hope for others who have faced adversity.
Surround yourself with mentors and allies who appreciate the strength that arises from overcoming adversity. Seek knowledge voraciously, for education is the great equalizer. Your mind, fueled by curiosity, can shatter preconceived notions and pave the way for a brighter future.
Believe in your capacity to contribute, innovate, and inspire. The scientific community welcomes those who defy expectations and challenge norms. Forge ahead, for your journey not only transforms your life but serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit.
In STEM, we embrace the power of change and discovery. Your journey is part of that narrative. The laboratory, the classroom, the research facility – these are your arenas of triumph. Let your brilliance shine, and may your pursuit of knowledge echo as an inspiration for generations to come.
With unwavering support,
Dr. Stanley Andrisse Executive Director, Prison-to-Professionals (P2P) Assistant Professor, Howard University College of Medicine |
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| In Memoriam: Remembering Eddie Bernice Johnson |
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Eddie Bernice Johnson, who represented a district in Texas encompassing downtown Dallas, made history as the first person of color to chair the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Her legacy extends as the oldest member of the House, departing from office in January 2023. |
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| We bid farewell to Nadia Foster, STEM-OPS project director since 2022. Nadia's dedication and skills were invaluable to the project. Her leadership extended to proactive communication, project management, and facilitating successful multi-partner collaborations. We are grateful for her contributions and wish her all the best. |
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| We are thrilled to share our biggest announcement yet: the publication of the STEM internship toolkit and more new resources on the way!
STEM-OPS Working Groups, in collaboration with our esteemed partners—From Prison Cells to PhD (P2P), Princeton's Prison Teaching Initiative (PTI), Operation Restoration (OR), the Initiative for Race Research and Justice at Vanderbilt University (RRJ), and Education Development Center (EDC)—have dedicated thousands of people hours of research, discussion, and creativity to crafting these toolkits, white papers, and practical solutions in key areas such as internship, technology, speaking bureaus, lab-based education, and measurement tools for higher-education-in-prison (HEP) programs. Stay tuned as we unveil each deliverable one by one, to be promoted through news articles, exclusive interviews, and more. |
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| It’s our sincerest pleasure to present our FIRST toolkit, titled Creating Inclusive Internship Programs for Justice-Impacted Scholars. STEM-OPS, led by partner PTI, created a STEM internship program for justice-impacted undergraduates at Princeton University. The toolkit was developed for universities to build their own internship programs. It highlights effective strategies from the research literature as well as from the practical approaches that PTI took in building its own program. By supporting organizations in scaling and sustaining these initiatives, we envision a future where STEM opportunities are transformed for directly impacted individuals. You can learn more at our website or download the toolkit here. |
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| The sySTEM Impacted Podcast |
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The sySTEM Impacted podcast, led by Chris Etienne (PTI), shares stories of system-impacted people’s successes and struggles in accessing STEM education and careers.
In "Episode 7, Bridging the Divide: Exploring Educational Equity, Part 2," Etienne and Boris Franklin continue their discussion concerning access to educational opportunities for students in low-income and more affluent communities. They use personal narratives, coupled with research, to explore inequities in K–12 education and discuss current impacts and potential strategies that could be implemented to create more-equitable access. |
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It is with heavy hearts that we at STEM-OPS share news of the passing of Eddie Bernice Johnson, the namesake of our National Science Foundation (NSF) INCLUDES grant. Her legacy has provided a profound impact in STEM, healthcare, and social justice. Eddie Bernice Johnson was born on December 3, 1934, in Waco, Texas, to Edward Johnson. Read more ...
PTI and NSF have combined their efforts to provide nine-week REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) STEM summer internship opportunities to justice-impacted students in undergrad programs. Ali Muslim participated in the REU internship in Computational Biology this past summer; his research focused on the compression of phononic. Read more ...
When you are on the inside, education becomes an essential means of survival and, luckily, in most carceral institutions, those serving time can participate in classes. However, the presence of classes alone does not guarantee your acceptance into them. Some classes require a high school diploma or equivalent. As in the outside world, conflicts with. Read more ...
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We have a lot more content on the way, so make sure to check our blog on the STEM-OPS website often!! |
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| STEM-OPS Core Partner Updates |
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Operation Restoration
Empowering Justice-Impacted Women: Operation Restoration Brings Mardi Gras Spirit to Capitol Hill Operation Restoration (OR) brought a touch of Mardi Gras spirit to Washington, DC, during their recent Hill Day. This engaging event allowed OR to connect with key stakeholders and advocate for the needs of their community. The day wasn't just about raising awareness—OR also fostered collaboration by bringing together leaders from businesses and nonprofits to discuss and prepare for the challenges and opportunities of 2024.
We applaud OR's "The Closet" initiative! This program empowers justice-impacted women by providing clothing, shoes, toiletries, and other essentials. If you're local (New Orleans area), consider donating to support their mission of helping women rebuild their lives.
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Congratulations to OR Founder, President, and CEO Syrita Steib for being named by The Advocate as one of eight winners of its inaugural Inspirit Award! |
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From Prison Cells to PhD (P2P)
P2P recently graduated its 35th Prison to Professionals cohort and already started its 36th cohort last month. The Prison to Professionals cohort helps people with criminal convictions obtain a college education. In addition, in collaboration with Light to Life, the P2P Womxn’s Cohort is launching their fourth cohort of the year. The Womxn’s Cohort provides virtual workshops, interactive activities, circles, and challenges to 500+ womxn nationally who are survivor-centered with healing justice approaches in the movement to support justice-impacted womxn and survivors of gender-based violence. |
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| P2P also announced its new partnership with Flikshop in its Pen Pal Program. Flikshop allows you to send photos delivered as postcards, prints, or photo books instantly. You can stay connected with your incarcerated loved ones, military personnel, or your family members across the country with no subscriptions or hidden fees. |
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Princeton University’s Prison Teaching Initiative
PTI Holds Launch Party for new Toolkit PTI recently presented STEM-OPS’s groundbreaking internship toolkit to friends, colleagues, and invited guests at the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning at Princeton, Creating Inclusive Internship Programs for Justice-Impacted Scholars offers universities a roadmap to building their own STEM internship programs. The toolkit combines research-backed strategies with the practical experience of PTI's successful program for justice-impacted undergraduates.
PTI is offering two paid summer research internships: Coding Foundations of Research and Computational Biology Research: Gateway to STEM. Gain valuable skills in computer literacy, coding, and scientific research. Applications are due March 8th, 2024. Contact ce6411@princeton.edu for more information. |
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Initiative for Race Research and Justice (RJJ)
RJJ Hosts their Restorative Weekend The Initiative for Race Research and Justice at Vanderbilt University‘s Restorative Justice Weekend held February 17, March 2, and March 9, offered a chance to delve into restorative practices and connect with a passionate community. Designed for both beginners and those seeking to deepen their understanding, the workshop fostered a space for learning and dialogue. Vanderbilt professors and educators from around the US joined the discussions, creating a rich exchange of ideas. Originally planned as a two-day event, the Justice Weekend was extended to a third day due to its popularity, making this valuable experience accessible to more. |
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| Don't miss EDC at CIES 2024 in Miami, FL March 10–14! They'll be leading discussions on critical education issues across several key areas. From strengthening higher education and fostering literacy to combating climate change and promoting mental well-being, EDC is committed to accessible and transformative learning. Join them at table R12 in Riverfront Hall. |
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| Upcoming Events and Opportunities |
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| Resources Recommended by STEM-OPS Core Partners |
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BOOKS: VIDEO: MIXED MEDIA: OTHER: |
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ALSO, FICGN welcomes job posts from other organizations on their website. If you’d like to add a job there, use this link to their job board. |
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Become part of the solution! Join the ever-growing *** REQUEST FOR YOUR FEEDBACK: STEM-OPS is striving to improve and provide quality information and resources that demonstrate our commitment to our mission—providing access to all people to STEM education and workforce development. How can we do better? Send us feedback about this newsletter by taking this survey.
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If you have any comments or questions about this newsletter, please email info@stem-ops.org. |
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