Growing up in a single parent home on the south side of
Chicago, IL, Justin J. Shaifer had little awareness of the potential of a STEM
career. His worldview drastically transformed after experiences at Hampton
University. Justin graduated with a bachelor's degree in marine and
environmental science with the highest departmental GPA, and was also president
of Hampton University's student body while receiving scholarships from NASA and
NOAA that covered 100% of his tuition and room and board. Now 24 years old,
Justin travels the country empowering young students to "embrace their inner
nerd" despite their surroundings, and developing culturally responsive STEM
curricula for New York City institutions.
Justin is executive director of Fascinate, Inc., an
organization created to excite underrepresented students about STEM. He is known
for his work on the Magic Cool Bus Project. Past partners of his organization
include Microsoft, MIT Media Lab, and the Children’s Aid Society. Justin is
studying these programs’ effects as a PhD student at Columbia
University.
SPEAKERS:
Justin Shaifer (Fascinate, Inc.: New York, NY)