The main purpose of our STEM workshop series is to provide EJP students an opportunity to learn topics that will prepare for, complement, or supplement the upper-level coursework EJP students complete during the academic year. We hope that after participating in a STEM workshop, whether it’s held over a single session or multiple sessions, an EJP student will gain further confidence in foundational skills in diverse disciplines within STEM and have a greater appreciation for the subject.
Previous workshop topics have included workshops on topics across the fields of algebra, sports sciences, genetics, statistics, special relativity, and fuel cell electrochemistry.
Workshops are conducted in person. Please note that EJP students do not have access to the internet for educational purposes.
There are two ways of participating in EJP's STEM workshop program:
-offer a one-time workshop on a STEM topic of your choice. One-time workshop facilitators are considered "guest speakers" and do not become official EJP members, although they are welcome at almost all EJP events and activities;
-offer a multi-part workshop series on a STEM topic of your choice. Multi-part workshop faciltators are considered regular EJP members and are responsible for fulfiling all member responsibiities, e.g. reading the EJP handbook each year. Members also work alongside the STEM workshop program co-coordinators and EJP students at Danville in setting the direction of the program, creating program goals, and program assessment.
One-time workshop facilitators are welcome to apply for EJP membership if they intend to meet membership requirements.
Whether you decide to offer a workshop that meets only once or multiple times, you are responsible for determing the content and scope of your workshop and selecting the instructional materials you wish to use. EJP will provide them to the students free of charge.
Also be aware that workshops
- are limited to 15 students;
- can be scheduled Mon - Friday between 8 - 11:30am and 2 - 4:30pm. We recommend that each workshop session be 2, 2.5, or 3 hours long;
- can be co-facilitated.
All applicants should please complete this electronic application and attach a copy of your CV or resume. After we receive and review your application, we will send an invitation via email to schedule an online interview via Zoom.
Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. However, because EJP aims to create a supportive learning environment for our incarcerated students, we especially encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds align with those of our students. This includes members of racial minority groups, first-generation degree holders, and individuals from low socioeconomic status backgrounds.
Please note that the classrooms are on the second floor of the prison's education building and that there is no elevator.
We regret that, according to current Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) practice, if you are formerly incarcerated within Illinois or are actively visiting a friend or family who is incarcerated in IDOC, it is unlikely that IDOC will approve your clearance application.
If you are selected to offer a workshop, we will ask you to send a title and 1-2 paragraph workshop description. This information is used to advertise the workshop to EJP students and should be written in accessible language that will generate student interest. We will also request a list of the instructional materials you wish to assign. All of these must be submitted at least two months prior to the start of the semester in which you plan to offer your workshop. That is so we have plenty of time to conduct registration, request clearance for the materials, and purchase copies for enrolled students.
Please contact the STEM workshop co-coordinators,Katrina Jones and Fahren Zackery, at stemworkshops@educationjustice.net if you have any questions about completing this form, EJP STEM Workshops programming, clearance procedures, or to discuss workshop ideas before you submit.
Thank you!