Conference Speaker
Jennifer Stimpson
Dr. Jennifer Stimpson mixes science, substance, and style to make science a wonderful learning experience. Her passion for science began growing up in a household with parents who were pharmacists. Recognizing the need for more robust science education, Dr. Stimpson serves her community to strengthen STEM awareness and knowledge by educating students about the wonders and possibilities of science. With a demonstrated record of achievement, Dr. Stimpson advocates for the future and promise of STEM by advancing science education through her educational philosophy and instructional practices. Jennifer is the Chief of Programs at the T.D. Jakes Foundation.
Jennifer is a content expert who consults with various community, civic, and federal organizations, including the National Science Foundation, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, and the Department of Justice, to design educational programs to expand STEM education opportunities for all students. She founded JSTEMP Science to introduce and attract students to science through exposure, encouragement, inspiration, and relevant teachings through science-themed camps. In 2020, Jennifer spent a year working as a fellow on Capitol Hill with the U.S. Congress, as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator. During her role as a fellow, she contributed to crafting STEM Education legislation, co-authored the first ever Women and Girls in STEM Resolution for Congress, and launched the HBCU Podcast, the first ever of its type, honoring the voices and experiences of Blacks in the highest levels of the Federal Government. She is a recent graduate of the Education Policy Fellow Program, representing the state of Texas, working with stakeholders to refine education policy and build and develop pathways to increase more STEM teachers of color. But her most notable recognition has been the life-sized statue at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. honoring her STEM education career.
Jennifer began her career as a forensic toxicologist at Dallas County Morgue. She was a forensic chemist for the Drug Enforcement Administration, where she earned her federal basic chemist certificate from the FBI headquarters. Jennifer left professional science to become an educator. Before working as a middle school science teacher at The Hockaday School, Dr. Stimpson worked at Dallas ISD's Yvonne Ewell Townview Magnet. While there, she improved state testing study guides to support students' academic growth by increasing state scores by 33% in her first year. Jennifer also developed DISD's first ever all-girls initiative, focused on leadership skills and academic success.
Jennifer’s recognition is note worthy. Her most recent honor is accolades as the 2022 Woman of Distinction for the Girl Scounts of Northeast Texas. The City of Dallas issued a proclamation lauding her for creating a sustainable biofuel source for the school district's transportation system. The Oprah Magazine also honored Dr. Stimpson for her work in science education, as did the State of Texas, the Michael Jordan Foundation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Jennifer received a congressional record from the U.S. Congress for her work in sustainability in under resourced communities. The Dallas County Community College District named her a role model for future STEM teachers, honoring her with an Exemplary Teaching Award. The Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce awarded her its 2017 Excellence in Education Award. To recognize her efforts in the future of science, Jennifer received the inaugural Hidden Figures in STEM Dallas award from the National Society of Black Engineers. In 2018, Dr. Stimpson was a finalist for the People’s Choice Award by Ebony Magazine.
Jennifer is an AAAS / IF THEN Science Ambassador selected to inspire the next generation of female scientists, and has a statue in her likeness for her contributions to STEM education. Notably, the Texas Women's Foundation honored Jennifer with their prestigious Maura Women Helping Award in 2020. She is currently working on several publications as a 2022 Fellow through the Dallas Public Voices Op-Ed Project, with publications in The Fulcrum, Visible Magazine, and Newsweek.
Jennifer enjoys traveling and continually develops international partnership opportunities to present STEM opportunities to girls in developing countries. She participated in global educational initiatives in Ghana and Brazil and led a leadership academy in Uganda. Jennifer was awarded the Hockaday Prentiss Grant to investigate seismic activity in the Galapagos Islands and pre-Colonial Andean and Incan mathematics in Peru. She traveled to Europe to study the plate tectonics of the Swiss Alps. These field experiences bring to life the curriculum and pedagogy of her classroom practices, focusing on geology and petrology. Jennifer's application of real-world science enriches her classes. Dr. Stimpson is passionate about her work to educate the next generation of science leaders. With a global vision of creating change, Jennifer recognizes the need for more vital science literacy and serves her community to strengthen STEM awareness and knowledge. When she does not teach or travel, Jennifer considers herself a lifelong learner who enjoys cooking, reading, collecting Starbucks Mugs, and studying her family's genealogy. Jennifer is a classically trained violinist, performing at the Meyerson Symphony Center and the New Orleans Jazz Fest.
Jennifer is the founder of the National Association of Black Science Teachers (NABST). She holds active membership with the Association of Women in Science, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Links Incorporated, Leadership Women, National Girls Collaborative, and The Dallas Summit. She serves on the board of directors at Montessori Children’s House and with Kognity Education. Additionally, she is on the STEM advisory board for Northeast Texas' Girl Scouts. Dr. Stimpson is a Dallas, Texas native who earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Dillard University, a Master of Arts in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Northern Iowa, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.