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Reinforcing positive role models…
Over 151 STEM professionals serve as role models for our programs.
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Solutions to STEM Attrition
THI Student HS Graduate Rate is over 98% with 85% attending college as STEM majors
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RISING KNOWLEDGE IN FINANCIAL LITERACY
More than 1,000 students have participated in the financial IQ programs.
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EXPOSING STUDENTS FROM STEM TO STEAM
Over 5,000 students per year participate in THI programs nationwide.
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ENABLING TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS IN MEDICINE
Innovative Medical Missions have provided healthcare for developing nations: HAITI – PERU - ETHIOPIA
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TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE
Over 271 Community Health Leaders
throughout the US

about us

The Harris Institute/Foundation are a 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization founded by former NASA Astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., to serve socially and economically disadvantaged communities locally and across the nation striving to reach the most underserved populations in the areas of Education, Health, and Wealth.  

We utilize our “Pillars of Success” to empower students and communities throughout the nation and the world.

about

 

our pillars


EDUCATION

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Empowering youth to develop their potential and pursue their dreams.

HEALTH

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Partnering with communities to provide optimum health and wellness

WEALTH

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Securing futures by teaching financial skills and entrepreneurship


Our Sponsors

Scholar

Educator

Contributor


Let's change these statistics!



Education: workforce stats in Science and Engineering


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STEM jobs in Computing
 
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Qualified graduates to fill STEM jobs in 2020
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Female qualified graduates to fill STEM jobs in 2020
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Black scientists (S) & engineers (E) working in S & E
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White scientists (S) & engineers (E) working in S & E

Health: Disparities and Inequalities.


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Hispanics under 65 years without health insurance coverage
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African American women 20 years and over with obesity
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African American men 20 years and over with hypertension*

Wealth: the gap has grown since the 2007-2009 Recession


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Hispanic households wealth *decline* 2010 to 2013
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White households wealth *increase* 2010 to 2013

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Homeownership rates for blacks


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Homeownership rates for whites


 

what we do

We offer interventions for your school district or organization from motivational speeches by Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. to full-blown workshops for teachers and science camps for students from elementary to high school.

  • Professional development01
  • Motivational tours02
  • curriculum design03
  • STEM-CAE04
  • Community outreach05
  • Online learning06
  • Volunteers07
  • Scholarships08

Professional development

Professional Development is available to assist teachers with enhancing their content knowledge and pedagogy by focusing on specific concepts and designing content-rich, student-centered materials using a variety of instructional strategies and resources, including technology. In addition, THI supports teachers in planning, implementing, and evaluating student-centered activities and programs. For more information on our 2017 Professional Development sessions, click here.

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Motivational tours

The Igniting STEAM Tour is a Student Assembly designed to encourage students to set goals and consider STEAM careers. The tour program informs students about the educational opportunities for middle school students, their teachers, parents and school administrators in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) fields in the United States.

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curriculum design

The Harris Institute develops curriculum frameworks for programs that can be hosted at educational institutions. In designing these frameworks, THI follows a process that will result in activities, experiences and events designed to enhance teachers’ content knowledge and pedagogy and to boost students’ academic success.

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STEM-CAE

The STEM Centers of Academic Excellence (STEM-CAE) seeks to provide students with access to educational opportunities in order to develop knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their goals, cultivate lifelong learning and to promote respect for diversity in our global community.
The Harris Foundation’s STEM-CAE are educational institutes, youth-based and professional organizations that host one or more foundation programs. STEM-CAE’s goal is to enhance the academic success of K-16 students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Each STEM-CAE membership level contains a list of programs that institutions/organizations can select to offer. Programs include Saturday Academies, Residential and Non-Residential Summer Academies, Leadership Academies, After School Programs, STEM Clubs, Field-Based Programs, Academic Challenges and Competitions, Virtual Science Camps, Day Camps as well as Professional Development Training.

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Community outreach

The Institute champion initiatives designed to address several aspects of life in Houston, the state of Texas, and beyond. They include youth development, education, financial literacy, and information for a balanced, healthy life.

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Online learning

Online learning has become a reputable alternative - or complement - to traditional face-to-face "seat time". The Harris Institute is no exception to this trend, offering a number of online and blended (online and face-to-face) courses.

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Volunteers

As a volunteer, you are an integral part of the success plan of The Harris Foundation. Our volunteers interweave their desire to make a difference with our vision and core principles to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

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Scholarships

The Institute is proud to have granted scholarships throughout the years to individuals who demonstrated drive and tenacity to achieve their goals. This scholarship is awarded to the top eighth grade students of the Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. Middle School in San Antonio, Texas.

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GET INSPIRED

Watch Dr. Bernard Harris talk about his own life journey

 


Our Programs and Partnerships

Explore our Programs and see what is right for you or your organization!

National Math and Science Initiative

NMSI believes STEM education is the greatest lever to accessing opportunity, and is unmatched in unlocking student potential.​ That’s why we’re on a mission to advance access to rigourous STEM education​.

We’re doing this through collaborative partnerships with school districts, campus leaders, teachers and communities.

Our programs are evidenced based, vertically aligned and proven to create lasting changes.

Our Team

We are a seasoned and passionate team of educators, entrepreneurs, grant writers, curriculum designers, and social media strategists.

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DR. BERNARD HARRIS, JR.
President and Founder, Chairman & Board Member
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PAMELA JONES
Executive Director
  
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BARBARA FOOTS
Director - STEM Centers of Academic Excellence, Adv. Board Member
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Carole Allen
Director Emeritus - Dare to Dream

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Janice Ford Griffin
Director Emeritus - RWJF Community Health Leaders

OUR PARTNERS

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Dream Walker: A Journey of Achievement and Inspiration

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We are influencers in:

Inclusive Education | Access and Retention in STEM | STEM Summer Camps

FOLLOW THE HARRIS INSTITUTE

Blog posts

We are very active across social media platforms. Tag us! #theharrisfoundation

camera The 2021 CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program is accepting applications!!! 2 Mar

The CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program was established to encourage minority students to pursue college degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The scholarship was created by former NASA astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris, the first African-American to walk in space. Four scholarships for two boys and two girls, with a value of $5,000 each, […]

camera Astronaut Scholarship Increases Annual $10,000 Scholarship by 50% 4 Dec

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) today (12/1/2020) announced it has increased the amount of its annual scholarships by 50% – from $10,000 per student to $15,000. At a time when so many of our nation’s university students have had their education career negatively impacted by COVID-19, this news couldn’t come at a better time. Learn […]

camera Chukwunyere Chosen as N.C. A&T’S First Astronaut Scholar Since 2008 7 Oct

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 10, 2020) – Oluchi Chukwunyere, a senior computer science student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, has been selected as a 2020 Astronaut Scholar, becoming the university’s first recipient since 2008. Chukwunyere, of Raleigh, North Carolina, will receive up to $15,000 for eligible educational expenses in addition to mentoring from accomplished […]

camera “A Scientist Abroad” – an insightful blog by a Chateaubriand STEM Fellow 12 Feb

Last week we let you know about the Chateubriand Scholarship program for outstanding PhD students working in STEM. One of the fellows, Two Brooks, was part of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans Official AfAmeducation He has a great blog on his experience in France during the 4th year of his PhD […]

camera Dr. Bernard Harris was part of a panel at TMC Innovation Institute “1st and Future” pitch competition 6 Feb

Dr. Bernard Harris asks questions to one of the teams selected for the NFL 1st & Future Pitch Competition, as part of the event panel, which took place the day before the game.

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