Jan Morrison - Keynote presentation IV

Jan Morrison is the Founder and CEO of TIES, Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM, the top and oldest STEM consulting firm in the USA and globally. TIES was founded by Jan to, “…help children to make sense of the world,” and bring equity, accessibility and opportunity in STEM for all children. After a thirty-five-year career teaching STEM throughout the country and primarily to girls, Jan founded TIES. As the Senior STEM Consultant for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for more than nine years, Jan and TIES were able to bring a new discourse and design to STEM for all.

From helping to design, build and operate girls’ STEM schools in Egypt to partnering with the NEOhio Girl Scouts to create the Fab Lab in the STEM Center, Jan has a deep commitment to equity in STEM. Equity does not only mean access but a pedagogy that speaks to the talents and energy that young girls bring to their own lives and work. STEM is for all and designed for each.

Jan is the co-founder of the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice, a global initiative that has enabled 94 municipalities and four countries to design their manner of decision-making so that it supports STEM education at all levels. A thriving STEM Ecosystem means opportunities for ALL children, families that are aligned with workforce needs and economic development.  The STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice enlightens cities, states and regions that serve more than 40 million students in the USA.   

Having worked with three USA administrations as an advisor for STEM and countless state governments as well, Jan now focuses on the newest challenge that the pandemic created for education and STEM in the USA as well as Israel, Egypt, Africa and other countries. STEM is the key advancing past the pandemic and ensuring the planet is safe once again.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in 1974 for the University of Rochester and masters in 1976 from George Washington University. Jan has served on the board of visitors at the University of Maryland, Olin College of Engineering and serves as an advisor for deans of engineering as well as national STEM organizations.