North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics presents: 

2023 Ethics & Leadership Conference 

Equity In STEM: Ethical Implications for STEM Professions  

Monday, October 30, 2023

Check out our updated schedule for event details

Featured Speakers: 

Michael Vazquez, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy 

Director of Outreach, Parr Center for Ethics

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Michael received his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. He is committed to forging lasting, democratic, and collaborative partnerships between the academy and the community, and to cultivating the philosophical voices of people of all ages. One of the main goals of his community engagement work is to promote moral and civic education in K-12 schools across the country. He serves on the Executive Committee of the National High School Ethics Bowl, the Executive Committee of the Middle School Ethics Bowl, the Public Philosophy Committee of the American Philosophical Association, and the Academic Advisory Board of the Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization.

Santos Flores, PhD

Research Scholar at NC State University 

Executive Director of Terreiro de Arte e Cultura


Santos Flores is a researcher and educator with an interest in models of conflict transformation and social justice for application in community engagement. He holds a Masters in 'Peace and Conflict studies' and a Doctorate in 'Community and Youth development,' and currently serves as a Research Scholar at NC State and Executive  Director of the Terreiro de Arte e Cultura. He specializes in youth development, embodied philosophy, and sociological mindfulness. At UNCG’s Institute of Community & Economic Engagement, Santos advanced scholarship of community-based perspectives of Restorative Practices in higher education systems. Santos is experienced as a restorative and cultural educator, conflict coach, community organizer and in somatic transformations. Santos lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife, daughter, and a bunch of fish. He enjoys nature, outdoor recreation, cartwheels and martial arts. 

Conference Information: 

What: The 2023 Ethics and Leadership Conference: Equity In STEM: Ethical Implications for STEM Professions is a day of presentations, problem-solving, and small-group student conversations facilitated by STEM professionals with opportunities to connect with students from across NC. 


Conference Theme: Historically, STEM professions have not been inclusive, representative, and equitable for women, members of marginalized minority groups, and economically disadvantaged people.  This reality is rooted in discrimination and lack of opportunity for individuals based on race, gender, and class in both STEM fields and K-12 education and perpetuates unequal opportunity and harm to both the negatively impacted individuals and world, resulting in the loss of talent and innovation. At the 2023 NCSSM Ethics and Leadership conference, high school students from around North Carolina will explore the ethical implications of eradicating systemic challenges in STEM. Students will hear from scholars in ethics and youth leadership development and practitioners in STEM fields while interacting with each other to come up with solutions to make STEM fair for everyone.


Who: Open to all North Carolina High School students (grades 9-12) interested in exploring equity in STEM fields


When: Monday, October 30, 2023 from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM. Registration is now closed, space is limited.  


Where: The Durham Campus of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics


How: Attend in-person. Registration is now closed. 


Cost: Free


Why join us for this event?