3rd Annual STEM Conference
STEMCON 2015, Credit: STEMCON
The 3rd Annual STEM Conference takes place on April 8, 2016 at the FirstMerit Convention Center of Cleveland, Ohio. This conference is held to promote better ways of teaching and involving students in STEM. Statistics show that throughout the country students are lacking the necessary skills for today’s workforce, especially when it comes to careers in STEM. The STEM Conference assembles a group of creative STEM professionals who will share their knowledge and expertise and create a forum for teachers, schools and organizations to develop better strategies for teaching STEM education. The Conference tracks will include:
- Skill-Ready STEM Teachers: Teacher Preparation and In-Service Training
- It Starts at the Top: Effective STEM Education Leadership
- Starting STEM Early: Early Childhood, Kindergarten, and Elementary School, Middle School
- Post-High School Paths to STEM Careers
- Ensuring Equal Access to STEM Education and Careers for Women and Minorities
- Public and Private Partnerships: Get Help Implementing a STEM Program
STEMCon Keynote Speakers
Dr. Diane J. Briars, President, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Dr. Diane J. Briars started out as a secondary education mathematics teacher who went above and beyond to become president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education and M.S. and B.S. in Mathematics from Northwestern University. She then went to a post-doctoral study at Carnegie Mellon University’s Psychology Department. Her past experience includes many leadership roles in different organizations including the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) and Pittsburgh Public Schools. She was a senior developer and research associate for the NSF-funded Intensified Algebra Project and has also worked as a mathematics education consultant. Her expertise when it comes to mathematics education is very highly regarded. Her presentation is titled “Teaching Matters! Turn High-Quality Standards into Successful STEM Learning” which she will be presenting at 9:00am.
Mark Greenlaw, Vice President of Strategy and Impact, FIRST
Mark Greenlaw has been the backbone of many STEM-centered projects within different organizations. He has enabled For Information and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) to be able to expand program access, impact, and participation. He was also Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Cognizant, where he led the campaign for Cognizant’s STEM education, sustainability and U.S. campus recruiting initiatives. His education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management from Pennsylvania State University. He believes in giving opportunities to students in STEM education in order to help them realize their full potential in STEM fields late in life. He is very adamant about the fun and hands on aspect of learning and the impact it has on today’s students. He also identifies himself as a perpetual learner, always seeking new information. His presentation is titled “The Innovators of Tomorrow: Developing Our Next Generation of Innovators Equipped to Solve the World’s Most Pressing Problems” which he will present at 12:45pm.
Breakout Sessions
Besides the keynote speakers, the Conference will be made up of “breakout sessions” that will allow the educator attendees to choose between several different expert speakers and topics to listen to. These will range from general topics in STEM to very specific STEM education techniques. There will be breaks throughout and a lunch that includes an award ceremony for a few of the most exceptional individuals and organizations in STEM education. The day after the Conference will be the 13th Annual Concept Science & Engineering Fair in the same location. This fair will include many students from all over the country coming together to showcase their skills in STEM for judges, other students, and parents.
Tickets for the event will be $150 per person and participants can register at www.stemcon.net and receive discounted hotel rates. Be sure to like STEMCON on Facebook and follow on Twitter.
Resources for Educators:
- http://www.stemcon.net/2016-program/
- http://www.stemcon.net/registration-1/
- http://www.stemcon.net/venue/
By Bethanny Jones
Marketing Specialist