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Executive Director Jeremiah J. White, Jr. For the past 30 years, Jeremiah White has built, restructured, and managed a number of highly successful businesses and non-profit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area, including White & Associates and Osiris Group, Inc. Known for his strategic leadership, dynamic interactive style, and entrepreneurial determination, Jeremiah’s leadership has made a positive and enduring impact on quality of living for thousands of citizens residing in low to middle-income multicultural communities throughout the region. Program Director Meagan Hopkins-Doerr In America today, there is a great concern about a lack of innovation and scientific experts. This gap is greatly compounded if you look at the number of minorities in the scientific fields. We cannot hope to fill this void without changing the status quo. One of the fundamental issues is that students need to be exposed to experiential science exploration at a young age, and iPRAXIS enables this to happen. We bring together a Scienteer and a curious student to work on a project chosen by the student. This enables the student to understand the scientific process of continual questioning and evaluating while being supported by a scientific expert. Not only does the student gain from increasing scientific knowledge and advanced cross-curricular work, they forge a relationship with a mentor. Being able to learn from another is an invaluable skill. Yet we cannot hope for students to have these skills without fostering their development. By working together, students and scienteers can create a relationship that transcends well beyond the project. As a former teacher, Meagan understands how difficult it can be to develop all the necessary skills, instill a love of learning, and teach an in-depth scientific curriculum. This is where iPRAXIS is an invaluable tool. During both in school and after school programs, iPRAXIS absolutely supported and improved her educational program and increased her students’ scientific understanding and opportunities, and she is thrilled to now be part of this wonderful program. Please join us to continue providing this support. Program Assistant
Tim Robinson
This is Tim's third year working with iPRAXIS and second year on staff. He started in 2009 as a Scienteer (volunteer scientist), working with students at Henry C. Lea and Alain Locke Elementary Schools and joined the staff the next year as an on-site coordinator. His current responsibilities include finding and coordinating volunteers, serving as a Scienteer when needed, and working as a liason between schools and Scienteers. "My goal," he says, "is to get Scienteers and students working together comfortably so that Scienteers can push students to work hard and do high quality science projects."
Tim is in his final semester at Community College of Philadelphia and plans to continue working towards his undergraduate degree in education. Ultimately Tim wants to teach middle school science and continue sharing his love of science education. "Working at iPRAXIS has really helped clarify what I want to do," he says, "I knew I wanted to teach but I was wary of science and didn't find it very interesting. But helping students with projects and doing experiments has really given me an appreciation of science and shown me that teaching it can be fun and exciting for everyone involved."
Tim believes the real value of iPRAXIS is that it gives students the chance to do hands-on, inquiry-based learning in science, a rare opportunity in many public schools. Learning the procedures of science is important he says - "It allows students to learn by doing which is exciting and also valuable. This is how we get students interested and proficient in science!" Email Tim Event Planner and Public Relations Coordinator
Zofia Wleklinski This year, Zofia is planning iPRAXIS' annual celebratory event, iFUNCTION, which is set to take place on Wednesday, May 23 from 6-8 pm at Drexel University's George D. Behrakis Hall located in the Creese Student Center. iFUNCTION brings together students, Scienteer mentors and leaders in the scientific community to recognize the achievements made in the past year. Students whose projects placed are honored for their success and outstanding mentors and scientists are also recognized. Zofia is responsible for organizing the event and is looking for sponsors to help with funding and donations to ensure that the night is a success. If you are interested in sponsoring this amazing event, please contact her at the email address below. Email Zofia |
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