Iris Research
Our Partners: Domestic and International
At IRIS, we believe that the path to scientific discovery should be accessible to everyone, regardless of geography or background. To strengthen the global STEM pipeline, we collaborate with a network of domestic and international partners who share our commitment to hands-on learning and talent development.
From local community enrichment in the Bay Area to teacher-training initiatives in West Africa and talent-scouting programs in Mexico, these partnerships allow us to scale our impact. Together, we are bridging the gap between curiosity and professional research, ensuring the next generation of inquisitive minds has the tools to thrive.
Please visit their websites to sign up as a volunteer or as a donor to support our partners!
Domestic (USA)
Focus: Primary & Middle School STEAM Outreach
Young STEAMers is a non-profit organization dedicated to making Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) accessible, engaging, and inclusive for young learners. By providing hands-on workshops, interactive mentorship, and creative projects, Young STEAMers empowers students to explore complex concepts through experimentation and play. Their mission is to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, fostering the foundational confidence and curiosity necessary for future success in scientific fields.
youngsteamers.org
Our collaborator: Christina Smith Melnarik, PhD (Co-Founder and COO)
International (Africa)
Focus: Experiential Learning & Teacher Empowerment
Practical Education Network (PEN) is an international organization dedicated to making hands-on science education accessible to every child, regardless of their school's resources. By training educators to transform everyday materials—such as plastic bottles, balloons, and cardboard—into functional laboratory equipment, PEN enables experiential learning in classrooms that lack traditional lab infrastructure. Their mission is to shift science education from rote memorization to active inquiry, equipping students with the critical thinking skills needed to solve real-world problems.
https://www.practicaleducationnetwork.com/
Our collaborator and IRIS advisor: Heather Beem, PhD (Founder and CEO)
International (Mexico)
Focus: Talent Development & Social Impact in Science
Programa Adopte un Talento (PAUTA) is a Mexican non-profit organization that identifies and nurtures children and adolescents with an interest in and talent for science. By providing a supportive ecosystem of workshops, research projects, and mentorship, PAUTA encourages students to develop their critical thinking and creative potential from primary school through to the university level. Their unique pedagogical model focuses not only on scientific excellence but also on social responsibility, empowering young people to use their talents to solve challenges within their own communities.
https://www.pauta.org.mx/en/
Our collaborator: Gabriela De la Torre, PhD (Directors General)
International (Global)
Focus: Scaling Social Impact & Leadership Development
The Gratitude Network is a global organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of high-impact social enterprises that serve children and youth. By providing leadership coaching, strategic mentorship, and a global network of experts, they help social entrepreneurs scale their organizations to reach millions of children in the areas of education, health, and safety. Their work ensures that innovative solutions—like those championed by IRIS—can expand their reach and create sustainable, systemic change on a global scale.
https://gratitude-network.org/
Our collaborator: Lauren Reilly (Executive Director)
