The Black Science Network aims to empower the black community through science by connecting black STEM professionals directly with the community. It serves as a central hub utilizing groups and forums, events, an online library and resources, and a Facebook app to bring the community together and support students' STEM aspirations by influencing their main influencers including parents, teachers, counselors, friends and neighbors. When the student's influencers are familiar with and supportive of STEM through the Black Science Network, it can shape the student's career choices and aspirations in a positive way.

1. “Empowering the Community Through Science”

2. Our Mission: Empowerment
• We believe that a person is empowered to prosper when they and their community
have the information, resources, and support to excel in the technological world.
• The Black Science Network is a central hub that connects the entire black community
directly to Black STEM professionals, each other, and the resources they need to be
empowered.
Our Team
Marcella Muhammad
• BS– Elementary Education, BFA – Studio Arts
Kregg Quarles • Over 20 years experience in elementary education
and as a designated master teacher.
• Founder of Black Science Network • owns and operates her own business for over 17
• BS degree in Physics and Mathematics years as a professional fine artist and art
• 20 years experience as science/math consultant.
tutor for 6th grade – Post Grad
• 3 years experience as a High School
Science/Math teacher and Teacher Dianne Quarles
Trainer.
• Developed 9 week program to teach • BS – English, MS – Home Economics
high school Biology, Chemistry, and • Certified in secondary education, administration and
Physics for college readiness in STEM vocational education administration.
fields • Over 25 years experience in corporate and public
secondary and post-secondary education and
administration.
• Co-owner of a business for over 12 years.
• Built maruvadq.com website

3. How a Healthy STEM Community Influences Student Career Choices
When the student’s main influencers are familiar, comfortable, and knowledgeable with STEM,
the more they can influence and support the student’s choice.
STEM Professionals
Provide mentoring and updated
resources to students/community
Home School
Parents and family members Involved parents on PTA
have resources to support Volunteers for school activities
students/children properly Bring in resources to school
Community Teachers
Neighbors attend STEM events Classes more relevant to STEM
Provide informed support, careers
encouragement and resources More resources for classroom
Mentors sponsor events
Friends Counselors
Interested in math/science Provide up-to-date
Encourage and support information resources
achievement in STEM fields Career day resources
Share resources, involved in Field trip to work place
events
Student
College/career STEM aspirations
Student is supported & informed in
every are of their life

4. How an Unhealthy STEM Community Influences Student Career Choices
In low-income and minority communities, the STEM professionals are disconnected from the
student’s main influencers . The community may be unfamiliar and uncomfortable with STEM and
unable to influence and support the student’s STEM aspirations.
STEM Professionals
Isolated
Unfamiliar with needs of
Home community.
School
Parent and family members Limited parent involvement
too unfamiliar with STEM to Limited resources for school
help/support
Community Teachers
Not visible at community Classes not relevant to STEM
events careers
Limited means to support Limited resources for classroom
Friends Counselors
Discourage achievement in Limited career day resources
STEM fields Discourage entry into STEM
Lack interest in math / Lack of information
science resources
Student
College/career STEM aspirations
are unsupported
career choices limited

5. How the BSN Community Influences Student Career Choices
BSN connects the Black STEM professionals to low-income and minority students and the
student’s main influencers . They can become familiar and comfortable with STEM so they can
influence and support the student’s STEM aspirations.
STEM Professionals
Black Science Network
Home School
Parents and family members Involved parents on PTA
have resources to support Volunteers for school activities
students/children properly bring in resources to school
Community Teachers
Neighbors attend STEM events Classes more relevant to STEM
Provide informed support, careers
encouragement and resources More resources for classroom
Mentors Sponsor events
Friends Counselors
interested in math/science Provide up-to-date
encourage and support information & resources
achievement in STEM fields Career day resources
Share resources, involved in Field trips to work place
events
Student
College/career STEM aspirations
Student is supported & informed in
every are of their life

6. How We Do It
We create multiple channels of interaction so all members of
the community can come together in a variety of ways:
•Groups & Forums
– discussions, peer support groups, projects, mentoring
•Events
– online, local, global, conferences & competitions, info sessions
•Library & Resources
– videos, interviews, articles, science wiki, helpful links and other
resources for parents, students, educators, and STEM professionals
•Facebook App
– Sharing resources, activities, and achievements with friends and
others

7. Groups and Forums
Connects the entire community in a common environment
• Find support, work together on
projects, share information
• Join peer-college going groups
• Global exchange of information
including professionals
• Be part of challenging discussions
• Interact with people beyond the
immediate community
• Build social capital
• Directly interact with Black
scientists and mentors
• Get personalized guidance,
career advice, inside information
and points of view that can only
be obtained from personal
interaction.

8. Events
• Create and invite friends to new
activities (study groups, contests,
conferences, college/career
information sessions, online
challenges, seminars/webinars)
• Discover local and global events
• Find out who’s going to specific
events and coordinate with peers
• Bring the community together and
build understanding and excitement
about STEM
• Increase participation in academic
activities
• Attract resources and corporate
involvement & sponsorship

9. BSN App: Using the power of Facebook
Our App connects users to the only online social network with a supportive
community of Black science minded people and role models who can advise,
support, mentor, engage, challenge and inspire the next generation of Black
scientists. The BSN App leverages the power of Facebook to:
•Maximize BSN outreach to the global community
•Capitalize on young adults’ intense use of social networking sites.
•Share and disseminate information faster and wider than other outlets.
•Share activity from BSN with friends through Facebook
•Instantly notify people of activity in groups and forums and events
Mentors
Friends
College Spreading
BSN
Admins Resources
Peer-
groups

10. Bringing It All Together In One Place
The student’s main influencers are empowered and working together
Stem Professionals
Home School
Parents and family members Involved parents on PTA
have resources to support Volunteers for school activities
students/children properly bring in resources to school
Community Teachers
Neighbors attend STEM events Classes more relevant to STEM
Provide informed support, careers
encouragement and resources More resources for classroom
Mentors Sponsor events
Friends
Counselors
interested in math/science
Provide up-to-date
encourage and support
information & resources
achievement in STEM fields
Career day resources
Share resources, involved in
Field trips to work place
events
Student
College/career STEM aspirations
Student is supported & informed in
every are of their life