Rise Up: Northeast Ohio

We are a science education outreach group founded in 2019 passionate about learning and equal opportunity. Science (like all aspects of life) thrives when we all work together and bring people with diverse minds and diverse experiences together to solve complex problems. However, science careers are plagued with representation problems. We aim to bring real world, cutting-edge science to the classroom in public schools and to make science accessible to everyone. Science is for all of us. Science careers have a “glass floor” and are plagued with representation issues that largely stem from inequities in science education. Science is the most expensive course to teach. Schools that struggle for funding have fewer opportunities to provide hands-on experiences to students. Studies show that even the brightest students from low income public schools on average perform lower in college level science courses compared to students from higher income areas. Rise Up: Northeast Ohio brings hands-on science experiences and real-world opportunities to students in public schools in the Northeast Ohio area. Our scientists lead the students in an immersive, deep learning, “life as a scientist” experience. Students come up with their own experimental ideas, write grant proposals, receive "notice of awards" or NOAs, carry out experiments in research teams, troubleshoot and revise their approaches, present their results, and publish in a scientific journal - acting as a professional scientist from start to finish. The students will not only learn about science careers, but they will be doing everything a professional scientist does. Students will experience creative freedom and collaboration, and will learn not only experimentation but also how to read, write, and present work as a scientist. Through our work we hope to crack the “glass floor” and help bring equity to science education in Northeast Ohio.