January 2017 THF Newsletter

Words from our founder, Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr.

Happy New Year from The Harris Foundation!

We're just a few short weeks into 2017, and the foundation is charging full steam ahead with our sights set on exploring new territories in education. One of those is our new initiative, the Igniting STEAM After School program, launched in partnership with Intel at McClymonds High School in Oakland, California this month. The high school program incorporates art into our already successful STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum with the objective to help McClymonds meet their school's goal of placing students on the "Engineering Pathway" and ultimately in STEAM-related careers. It will also provide students with numerous opportunities to develop skills needed to be competitive in this global workforce. We are thrilled to partner with McClymonds and be a part of their process while at the same time, reinforcing our foundation's mission. Read more.

Words that Empower

Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. speaks to youth about "change" and "choices"

Dr. Harris shares a few words after addressing approximately 100 youth at the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center on December 19, 2016. This marks the 16th year Dr. Harris has spoken to the youth at the center and encouraged them to think about "change" and "choices". View his inspiring message.

Red Ribbon Rally

Dare to Dream attends the DEA's Annual Red Ribbon Rally in Houston

With support from our partnership with the Houston Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office, we are able to provide valuable information and insight to our crime prevention and community activism portion of our Dare to Dream (DTD) curriculum. By joining with the DEA, our DTD students were given the opportunity to participate in the DEA's Annual Red Ribbon Rally at Houston City Hall. Take a look at these snapshots of our future leaders having fun.

"I want to become an FBI agent..."

FBI teaches Dare to Dream students the science behind fighting crime

HOUSTON - The crime-scene investigation process came to life at Atherton Elementary School (Houston ISD) when agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation descended to show the science behind their crime-solving methods. Houston FBI agents teach our Dare to Dream students the science behind fighting crime. View the full story here.

A Look Back at Dare To Dream 2016

Creating moments to boost self-esteem

Dare to Dream (DTD) began in 1995 as a program to boost self-esteem and provide positive role models for children in elementary and middle schools. The program seeks to encourage STEM education, motivate youth to stay in school, foster youth leadership and citizenship as well as instill the values of responsibility, fairness and respect. With support from our co-sponsors, the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, Communities in Schools, the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Houston Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, we are able to continue our mission to dream.

Click here to view some of the best moments and dreams from 2016.

Not your average camp experience!

Since 2006, the EMBHSSC has reached more than 12,000 underrepresented middle-schoolers and its impact has extended well beyond the camp

Dr. Bernard Harris and the ExxonMobil Foundation have partnered for eleven consecutive years to provide math and science camps to underserved students across the country in an effort to close the learning gap and encourage youth to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. Read more.

We are Igniting STEAM in Oakland, California

The Harris Foundation is charging "full STEAM ahead!" with Intel

The Harris Foundation and Intel joined forces to host an incredible and empowering Igniting STEAM Tour for McClymonds High School in Oakland to inspire their students to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) career fields. See how we are #IgnitingSTEAM! in Oakland.

Bridging the Gap in STEM Education

Dr. Bernard Harris speaks at The White House during the Conference on Inclusive STEM Education for Youth of Color

Dr. Harris was the moderator for the main panel discussion on "Attainment and Retention" for The White House Conference on Inclusive STEM Education for Youth of Color. The main topics of discussion centered around the statement that education is a "Civil Right" for all American youth. Watch the video of the full panel discussion.

Do you want THF programs in your area?

Become a STEM Center of Academic Excellence NOW

The Harris Foundation STEM Centers of Academic Excellence (STEM-CAE), is an education initiative, designed to build the capacity for STEM education for all students with a goal to enhance the academic success of K-16 students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Centers will offer project-based inquiry learning experiences designed to engage learners in the knowledge, understanding and application of STEM concepts and principles. Read more.

Career Day at The Imani School

"Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating" -John Wooden

On January 19, 2017 The Imani School in Houston, Texas hosted a "dressed to impress" career day for a classroom of Pre-K scholars. The students were in for a special treat when veteran NASA Astronaut, Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. showed up to the classroom in his own flight suit and wowed the crowd of future young professionals. Read more.

Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. joins the NFL 1st and Future Event at Superbowl LI

The league's annual Super Bowl Sports-tech Startup Showdown

The National Football League (NFL) and the Texas Medical Center (TMC) announced that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and GE CEO and Chairman Jeff Immelt will kick off 1st and Future, the league's annual Super Bowl start-up competition, at the TMC Innovation Institute in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, February 4, at 9:00am. Moderated by TMC President and CEO Dr. Robert C. Robbins, the conversation will focus on marketplace disruption through industry partnerships and open-innovation challenges. Read more.

2017 ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships available now

Four $5,000.00 scholarships to be awarded

Named for the first African American to walk in space, ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships are available to 2017 graduating high school seniors in school districts represented by the Council of the Great City Schools. Deadline for submissions is April 10, 2017. Click here to apply.

Remembering America's first Space hero

Dr. Harris remembers one of his personal heroes - the late Astronaut John Glenn

(July 18, 1921 - December 8, 2016)

December 9, 2016 - "Yesterday as I arrived into Washington, DC, I learned of the passing of America's Great Hero- Senator and Astronaut John Glenn. He was a REAL HERO, especially to me. In 1962, I watched along with other children my age as he blasted into space. It was these early pictures of him and the other Astronauts of that time that lead to my decision to follow in his footsteps.

One of my fondest memories of Astronaut Glenn was when he came to the Spacehab facilities in preparation o f his second flight into space, some 36 years later. As a veteran Astronaut of two space shuttle missions, I was honored to escort him around and provide an orientation of the shuttle and Spacehab module that would be flying on his upcoming mission on board the space shuttle Discovery - STS-95.

His life has inspired us all both on earth and in space. John Glenn's legacy is the foundation for future generations to come.

Godspeed..."

Bernard A. Harris, Jr. MD
Astronaut, STS-63 & STS-55

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