Get inspired by Jessica Hammock, an ambitious Ph.D student/social entrepreneur committed to changing the lives of urban, underprivileged school children with her pilot program, Project Epiphany. How is this program funded? Ideablob awarded Jessica $10,000 to get her dream going and determine whether her initiative will evolve into a non-profit. 
Jessica describes her dream, Project Epiphany is an out-of-school time (OST) initiative that seeks to democratize astronomy, inspire science achievement, and provide powerful science learning experiences for urban elementary and middle-school students. Underinvestment in science education, along with scarce community resources and increasingly light-polluted skies, have made the wonders of the sky off limits for children growing up in high-poverty, urban communities. Project Epiphany will inspire future astronomers and promote transformative science learning through authentic, hands-on activities and unique astronomy field experiences.
Beautiful, isn’t it? Congratulations, Startup Princess Jessica for acting on your vision to increasing educational opportunities for children and winning the grant! I appreciate and admire how Jessica is exploring possibilities and taking time to test her concept before launching her program as a non-profit, she may find that her project would be a good fit with another already established non-profit with funding in place.
Learn more about what inspires and helps Jessica Hammock succeed:
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Current Residence (City, State): Atlanta, GA
Education:
B.A. in Psychology (2004), summa cum laude – Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Ph.d. in Educational Studies (expected 2010) – Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Professional Background (brief, please):
As a Teach For America corps member, I had the privilege of teaching some of Atlanta’s most brilliant and energetic 1st graders. Currently, I’m a doctoral student in the Division of Educational Studies at Emory University.
What you wanted to be when you grew up:
I always wanted to be a change agent of some sort. As a very young child, I debated between President of the United States and an investigative journalist.
What you are:
An education researcher and social entrepreneur.
Brief Summary of your Start Up:
Project Epiphany is an out-of-school time (OST) initiative that seeks to democratize astronomy, inspire science achievement, and provide powerful science learning experiences for urban elementary and middle-school students. Underinvestment in science education, along with scarce community resources and increasingly light-polluted skies, have made the wonders of the sky off limits for children growing up in high-poverty, urban communities. Project Epiphany will inspire future astronomers and promote transformative science learning through authentic, hands-on activities and unique astronomy field experiences.
Company Website? www.projectepiphany.net
What inspired you?
The sky.
How long have you been in business?
We are in the beginning stages of a pilot program that will run through Spring, 2009. At that point, we will take stock and decide whether we want to explore the possibility of incorporating as a non-profit.
How did you fund it?
Our pilot program will be funded primarily through a $10,000 award from Ideablob.com. We’ll be applying for grants and seeking contributions from other community and corporate donors as we move forward.
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)?
In addition to the many professors and academic advisors who have continually pointed me in the right direction, I have a wonderful group of close friends who know me inside and out and, consequently, always give amazing advice.
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups?
I’m a Teach For America alum and have found the TFA alumni network immensely supportive. The Ideablob community has also been a wonderful source of insight and advice.
Current Business Challenge?
The response from the community has been incredible. The biggest challenge for us right now is not over-committing or over-extending our time and resources. With so many wonderful teachers, schools , and after-school programs expressing interest, we’d love to work with everyone right away. Sometimes its difficult creating strategic partnerships instead of offering programming for every interested, deserving organization.
What are you doing about it?
We’re limiting our focus for this first year to a pilot program with an existing community partner. I’ll be keeping other potential partners informed and invite them to participate when it makes sense, given our time and resources.
Favorite motivational quote:
“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” – anonymous
“Dwell in possibility.” – Emily Dickinson
“No reality transforms itself.” – Paulo Freire
Family?
My husband Chris are currently spoiling our 2-year-old “dog-child” Molly, a pug/lab mix, absolutely rotten.
If so, how do you balance family and business?
Project Epiphany has been a team effort, so Chris and I have had a lot of fun working together to get it started. Molly, a.k.a. “astrodog”, is also an enthusiastic supporter of Project Epiphany.
Favorite book?
It changes a few times a year. Right now, Siddartha by Hermann Hesse.
Other favorite authors: Pema Chodron, H.H. the Dalai Llama, David Sedaris, Dave Eggers, and Kurt Vonnegut.
What do you do to relax?
Meditate, exercise, watch movies, long walks in the park, culinary experimentation.
What do you want to change most about your world?
The fact that where a child is born still has far too much to do with their life prospects.
What are you most proud of?
My education and the achievements of my students.
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses?
Find the place where your passion and the needs of your community (or the needs of the marketplace) intersect. That is where you should focus your energy.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)?
I love Things, a task management program developed by Cultured Code (http://www.culturedcode.com/things/). It has dramatically improved my workflow and productivity.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use?
Hmm. Lots of (conflict-free) diamonds and freshwater pearls.
Congrats Jessica! What a great cause! Best of luck!
[...] a Teach for America alum, and she is busting out change for the entire district. There are A LOT of reform start-ups by Teach for America [...]