Society Advocates in Action

Science Fair: The Series, which is available on Disney+ and Hulu, is a three-part documentary series that follows inspiring students from around the globe on their journey to compete at the largest convening of high school scientists in the world: the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, which is created and produced by Society for Science.

While the students are truly extraordinary, it’s the mentors, teachers, parents, and fair directors who are the unsung heroes. These supportive adults play a pivotal role in supporting and guiding these young people.

Loree Harvey - ISEF Advocate - highlighted in Science Fair the Series

Society for Science wants to share a heartfelt thank you to all the supportive adults featured in the series, recognizing their vital contributions. Throughout the series, viewers witness the tireless dedication of educators, especially, as they invest their time and energy into helping students thrive. “Science Fair: The Series” is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of these guiding figures, showcasing the critical role they play in preparing our future scientific leaders.

Meet Loree Harvey and Yajaira Torres De Jesus

Society for Science is proud to share that two of the exceptional teachers included in the series – Loree and Yajaira (Yary) — participated in the Society’s Advocate Program, which provides training, stipends and year-around support to mentors who support students from traditionally underrepresented races/ethnicities and low-income households in entering science research competitions. The Advocates receive training and support from Society staff, mentorship from a fellow educator, a $3,000 stipend and an all-expense-paid trip to attend the Advocate Training Institute in Washington, D.C.

If you watch the series, you can’t miss the dedication of these two educators.

Loree Harvey

Loree is a nearly 20-year veteran teacher with the Monte Vista School District, which serves a primarily rural and economically poor minority student body. She teaches high school life sciences courses and a year-long student research course. Loree’s undergraduate and graduate training is in wildlife biology and animal physiology and worked for the Fish & Wildlife Service, University of Missouri, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Bureau of Land Management doing a wide variety of fieldwork, ranging from wetlands plant ecology to wildlife radiotracking.

Loree Harvey - ISEF Advocate - highlighted in Science Fair the Series

Education has become a second beloved career for Loree.  Her passion is research at all levels, and she continues to contract with federal land management agencies and uses her connection there to expose students to professional science.

Loree has been a part of the Advocate Program for 3 years, starting in 2019. She is currently a “Lead Advocate,” meaning that she serves as a mentor to other educators in the program.

“This wonderful opportunity will enable me to serve as a mentor and leader for new Advocates and continue to develop my student research program within my school district. The Advocate program is helping to bring research opportunities to deserving, under-served students in our remote location. With this program, these students may be allowed to conduct authentic scientific research and develop to their fullest potential.”

Yary Torres De Jesus

Yary has a bachelor’s degree in Education, a master’s degree in Education with a specialty in Science and a PhD in Philosophy of Education with a specialty in Research and Teaching. She has been teaching for almost two decades at Colegio Rosa Bell in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

In this educational institution, she works as a teacher, head of the Science Department, moderator of the STEM Club, coordinator of the Research Program, collaborates with the accreditation processes, the search for resources for students and the training of teachers.

Yari Torres De Jesus, ISEF Advocate highlighted in Science Fair: The Series

Yary participated in the Society’s Advocate Program for 3 years, from 2020 to 2023. She is currently an Invention Education Ambassador, working to provide proven classroom strategies that incorporate invention education and research into the curricula.

“My participation in multiple cycles of the Advocate program has helped me a lot to develop and learn from a wide variety of aspects related to the available research forums, the events in which you can participate and the opportunities, in terms of alliances, of benefit for the students and teachers. Having the support of the Advocate Program has allowed my students to be more active, confident and interested in working on their research, since they are certain that they will not lack what is necessary to carry out what they want. Furthermore, by participating in different cycles of the program I have been blessed with the joy of meeting wonderful teachers with the same desire to encourage research and help students. I appreciate the dedication of the program staff who have always held my hand and been there to help at any time.”

Science Fair: The Series

Inspired by the Emmy award-winning documentary Science Fair, comes a new series about the agony and ecstasy of the beloved and brainy teenage subculture of competitive science. This gripping new docuseries follows the ups and downs of some of the most brilliant young innovators, engineers, and scientists on the road to the Big Show – the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

Directed by Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster

Executive Produced by Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster, Jeff Plunkett

https://muck.tv/

Watch the Trailer
Science Fair: The Series
Watch the Trailer

We’re thrilled to see so many others are excited to see the series too: