Science Unlocked: Empowering incarcerated and system-impacted learners

In this Questions of the Day interview, I sit down with Anagha Krishnan and Hannah Dada, co-founders of Science Unlocked, designed to bring hands-on science education to incarcerated youth in Washington, D.C.

Recognizing that “students in secure facilities had never had the chance to do hands-on science—never looked at cells under a microscope or launched a bottle rocket,” Anagha explains how the program fills a critical gap in STEM education for system-impacted youth. Through monthly demonstrations at the Youth Services Center, Science Unlocked engages students with practical experiments that connect science to their everyday lives.

Hannah reflects on the program’s impact: “It’s so rewarding to see the light bulbs go off when students realize, ‘This is my DNA. This is what makes me who I am?” Their demos, like building speakers using physics concepts, resonate deeply with students, some of whom are aspiring musicians. “We’re not trying to turn every student into a scientist,” Anagha adds, “but science is part of life, no matter what you choose to do.”

Science Unlocked (part of The Petey Greene Program) is a past recipient of microgrant funding from Research!America which enabled them to purchase critical supplies for their demos and expand their reach in the early days of the initiative. The co-founders also discuss their vision for scaling Science Unlocked nationwide, partnering with organizations like the Petey Greene Program to ensure sustainability. Looking ahead, they aim to expand to re-entry programs and create pathways for students to pursue their newfound interests post-release.

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Fanuel Muindi

Fanuel Muindi is a former neuroscientist turned civic science archivist and documentarian. He is a professor of the practice in the Department of Communication Studies within the College of Arts, Media, and Design at Northeastern University, where he leads the Civic Science Media Lab. Dr. Muindi received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and PhD in Organismal Biology from Morehouse College and Stanford University, respectively. He completed his postdoctoral training at MIT.