Our Mission
Show Me The World’s mission is to provide youth from under-resourced communities equitable access to transformative educational experiences at home and abroad.
Our Program Pillars
STEM
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
GLOBAL COMPETENCY & TRAVEL
LEADERSHIP
Our program is structured around a robust curriculum that covers a wide range of topics essential for holistic student development. The program includes weekly workshops on STEM subjects that align with state educational standards, focusing on real-world applications and global issues. Students also receive in-depth training in entrepreneurship, where they learn to operate a real business through our Show Me The World Coffee enterprise. This business not only serves as a practical application of their studies but also funds their international travel experiences. Leadership development is woven throughout the curriculum, with students participating in activities that enhance their communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, preparing them for college and future careers.
With a focus on STEM learning, entrepreneurship, and encouraging cultural awareness through at-home learning and global travel, students benefit from in-depth, hands-on learning that has a profound, lifelong impact.
Program Impact
Our Team
Samantha Lurie Carroll / Co-founder, Executive Director
Samantha Lurie Carroll is an influential leader in education, dedicated to enriching the lives of youth from under-resourced communities through the Show Me the World Project. Her commitment began as a Special Education teacher and Dean of Students at Vashon High School in St. Louis, where her efforts were recognized with the Special Education Teacher of the Year award in 2015. Her extensive travels during her studies at Earlham College in Israel, Senegal, and Spain profoundly shaped her understanding of global education systems. This experience led her to co-design the transformative Show Me Costa Rica Project, expanding educational opportunities for students beyond their local communities. Under her leadership, the project has grown significantly, now impacting over 150 students across 8 schools. Samantha’s tenure at Teach For America Metro Atlanta as Managing Director of Alumni Network Leadership further honed her skills in driving social innovation in education. Her visionary approach not only advances academic careers but also equips students with essential global competencies, emphasizing her commitment to fostering educational equity and empowerment.
Sylvester Chisom / Co-founder, Director, Business Strategy
Sylvester Chisom is a distinguished entrepreneur and educator, best known as the co-founder of Show Me The World Project. In this role, he leads the entrepreneurial programming and the coffee business that financially supports the organization’s mission to improve educational outcomes. His initiatives have not only fostered significant educational opportunities for youth from under-resourced communities but have also infused practical business knowledge and Durable Skills into young minds. Beyond his work with Show Me The World, Sylvester is the founder of Global CTE Learning, which provides career and technical education curriculum to over 50,000 students across more than 600 school districts globally. He also hosts the #1 Career Tech Education Podcast, which serves as a platform for discussing innovative educational solutions with global thought leaders. His profound insights on entrepreneurship are encapsulated in several published works, including the influential book derived from his TED Talk, “Manifest Greatness, How To Live Without Limits.” Sylvester’s contributions to business and education have been featured in major publications like The Wall Street Journal and Forbes, cementing his reputation as a visionary thought leader. Sylvester’s journey began modestly, starting his first company at 17 with just a water hose, a bucket, and a dream. Today, he continues to inspire as a Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, shaping the next generation of innovative leaders. His work, especially through the Show Me The World Project, not only drives educational equity but also prepares students to be effective participants in the global economy.
Dr. Adu-Oppong / Co-founder, Director, Data & STEM Learning
Dr. Adu-Oppong helps design and implement the science curriculum alongside coordinating visits from guest speakers for SMTWP. She contributes more than 10 years of experience in genomics, metagenomics, data science and cloud engineering. She has taught bootcamps on Data Science and Analytics as an Adjunct Instructor at Washington University. She has also worked as a Data Scientist at Bayer Crop Science and as a Field Bioinformatic Scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific and is currently employed int the biotech industry. Dr. Adu-Oppong has a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Rice University and holds a PhD in Evolution, Ecology and Population Biology from Washington University.
Alina Lee / Marketing Director
Alina Lee, a 2024 graduate of The George Washington University, is an accomplished marketing director renowned for her strategic prowess and commitment to elevating community narratives. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for innovative problem-solving, Alina excels at crafting and executing marketing strategies that not only enhance visibility but also drive impactful social change. Her approach is rooted in a deep understanding of diverse market dynamics, ensuring sustainable growth and fostering inclusivity. Through her leadership, Alina continuously seeks to bridge the gap between brands and their communities, transforming challenges into opportunities for meaningful engagement.
