MISSION STATEMENT
Project Illuminate aims to create more empathy by increasing awareness to a wide array of perspectives in order to inform and foster acceptance in our community. Through sharing the stories of neurodivergent individuals, we hope to educate ourselves and others about the significance of diversity and encourage an open mindset. Within this platform, we aspire to share our passion for science while igniting conversation to break down societal barriers.
ABOUT US
Hi! Our names are Stacey and Mona and we are both high school seniors from Orange County, California. Our high school is situated in a well resourced community where alumni, parents, and community members work hard to provide us with the necessary tools to exceed in our studies. However, amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, our district, along with all of California, resorted to a full online learning environment which posed many unprecedented challenges.
While we faced personal challenges adapting to the abrupt change, we were both fortunate enough to have the guidance from many of our teachers, administrators, and district members. This pushed us to question what real tribulations students who were not as well resourced as us were forced to face, leading us to create Project Illuminate which aims to provide a free platform for neurodivergent students that accommodates their needs while providing a science focused curriculum that encourages them to pursue inquisition and discovery. Although we are neurotypical, through this initiative we hope to share our passion for the sciences, while, more importantly, gaining insight and spreading awareness to the challenges and stigmas that neurodivergent individuals may face. Project Illuminate hopes to educate students about science, ourselves about neurodivergence, and the community about empathy and breaking down barriers that stifle growth.