Keynote Speeches & Workshops

Innovation Nation: Living, Learning and Working in the 21st Century.

Robot cars. Virtual reality phones. Supercomputer toys. This is not fiction, not a dream, not the future—this is the world today. As technology continues to advance, organizations and communities are challenged by the pace of change. Part crowd sourcing, part social media and part workshop, Innovation Nation is designed to move your group from thinking to action. Large group interactive sessions and workshops are custom including program title, use of technology (or not) and program activities. Attend Innovation Nation to learn to think like a futurist and to act like an entrepreneur to create the future.

STEM Pathways to the Future: Emerging Technologies, Jobs, Schools  & Communities.

Fueled by industry and government focus on economic recovery, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) is now seen as a platform for educational reform. Attend the keynote with Jim Brazell to explore:  What does STEM tell us about education, work and society? What are the key skills required of 21st century education, work and citizenship? How are model schools and communities transforming to meet the demands of the 21st Century?

The Future is Here: New Directions and Methods for Schools

Discover the 21st century imperative—that creativity and innovation are a function of connecting theory and action. Explore the following questions: What does emerging technology tell us about education, work and society? What are the key skills required of 21st century education, work and citizenship? How are model schools transforming the stovepipe education model to engage students by creating a culture of participation? The Future is Here is the story of what is next in education.

Cyber-STEM: Discover the Role of "Cyber" in U.S. Workforce Competitiveness, Security and Innovation.

Cyber STEM is the story of how Networking and Information Technology (NIT) have changed the worlds of play, learning, work and civil discourse in the 21st century. Cyber-STEM is crucial to national and global priorities in energy, transportation, education, healthcare and virtually all industries. Cyber-STEM delivers an analysis of how education, workforce and economic development practitioners are responding to emerging national priorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by integrating CYBER & STEM. Learn about the growing demand for multi-skill information technology, Cyber-STEM and security professionals across industries. Discover emerging technologies, jobs, career pathways and tools for schools.

STEM+ARTS: 21st Century Strategies for Arts Education and Advocacy

21st Century Strategies for Arts Education and Advocacy delivers stories, anecdotes and analysis of the US and global movement to connect the arts way of learning with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Learn about emerging technologies, jobs, schools and communities integrating ARTS+STEM to define what is next in innovation practice.

The Next Wave: The Role of Career Ed in the STEM Agenda 

Fueled by industry and government focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), career pathways have emerged as a platform for systemic education reform. In effect, the definition of a well-rounded student is evolving from a liberal arts education to a career-integrated education. Discover emerging technologies, jobs, career pathways, and free tools for school. Attend this session to celebrate the tradition, theory and practice of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and discover what is next for the community of practice.

Super Systems: The Role of Education, Workforce and Economic Development Collaboration in U.S. Competitiveness.

America's competitiveness depends on innovation and collaboration. Innovate America is designed to move communities from why they need to change to how they can achieve innovation. Explore emerging technologies, jobs, educational practice and economic development strategy. Learn how you can enhance global competitiveness through local, regional and national collaboration.

Pandora’s X-Box: Video Games, Virtual Worlds and Mixed Reality. 

While we were not looking, video games leaped out of the box of entertainment into serious domains such as healthcare and military training. Pierce the veil of play and experience what is happening in the dynamic world of games, virtual worlds, mixed reality, and converging media. Dive a reef, travel through the human body and compete in a math-game tournament. From game builders, to game players, to serious games, Jim Brazell delivers insights into trends that are shaping media and life in the 21st century. From emergency response training to language acquisition, video games, virtual worlds, and mixed reality are evolving the landscape of human experience. Experience this world first-hand in Pandora’s X-Box.
 
Mr. Roboto: Why Robots Matter in P-20 Education. 

Explore the emergence of robotics in every day life--from cell phones to automobiles. Why robots matter in K-12 education asks: How are robots changing the relationships among people, the environment and the way we see ourselves in the 21st century? How are robotic systems being used to organize innovation in schools? Why Robotics? And, what is the next generation of robotics education unfolding today? Robotics is the new computer revolution changing work, health, life and the environment in the 21st century. 

MAY 15, 2011, DAVID THORNBURG AND JIM BRAZELL TO KEYNOTE SECOND ANNUAL STEMTECH CONFERENCE, LEAGUE FOR INNOVATION IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The League for Innovation announced today that David Thornburg and Jim Brazell will serve as keynote speakers at the second annual STEMtech conference being held October 2-5, 2011, at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Mar 15, 2011 – The League for Innovation in the Community College announced today that David Thornburg and Jim Brazell will serve as keynote speakers at the second annual STEMtech conference, a four-day event during which K-16 educators, as well as community and industry leaders, will join together for in-depth, interactive presentations and discussions about increasing student access into and success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The 2011 STEMtech, hosted by Ivy Tech Community College, is also designed to help educators explore the strategic use of technology to better serve their students, their campuses, and their communities.

David Thornburg is an award-winning futurist, author, and consultant whose clients range across the public and private sector in the United States and Brazil. His razor-sharp focus on the fast-paced world of modern computing and communication media, project-based learning, 21st century skills, and open-source software has placed him in constant demand as a keynote speaker and workshop leader for schools, foundations, and governments. Thornburg’s most recent book, STEM Education: From Sputnik to the 22nd Century (2010), explores the current problems the nation faces and examines proven strategies that can be applied in the classroom to not only provide needed knowledge and skills, but also to engage students in the joy of working in STEM fields. His last book, When the Best Is Free, explores the world of free open-source software in education, with special emphasis on tools for use by students.

Jim Brazell is a technology forecaster, strategist, and public speaker focusing on innovation and transformation, and is known as a boundary spanner who connects topics related to STEM pedagogy and workforce, education, and economic development strategy. Since 2005, Jim has served as a volunteer to the Defense Learning Strategies Consortium, NSF Automotive Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative, Texas STEM Action Committee, Information Technology and Security Academy, San Antonio-Austin Nano-Bio-Tech Summit, and the San Antonio Cyber Security Action Team. Brazell has authored several emerging technology forecasts and briefs for the Texas State Technical College Program for Emerging Technologies that analyze the role of emerging technologies and deliver forward-looking recommendations for community colleges, career and technical education, and workforce education.

“This fall’s keynote speakers will fit extremely well with the 2011 STEMtech, especially since they both will provide critical information about how educators and others can increase the number of students moving through the STEM education pipeline, as well as how they can effectively use educational technology to improve student learning,” said Gerardo E. de los Santos, League for Innovation President and CEO.

Proposals to present at the 2011 STEMtech are being sought until April 15 for the following conference tracks: 

STEM Tracks 
• Health and Science 
• Energy, Environment, and Sustainability 
• Mathematics, Engineering, and Architecture 
• Manufacturing, Industry, Agriculture, and Aerospace 
• Technology and Communication 
• Recruiting, Retaining, and Transitioning Students Into STEM Programs (NEW) 

tech Tracks 
• Technology Systems and Applications 
• E-Learning Resources.

The 2011 STEMtech conference will also provide an excellent venue for companies to showcase their latest and greatest products and services to K-16 educators. A handful of presentation slots are reserved for League for Innovation Corporate Partners, who are strongly encouraged to submit proposals and exhibit at the conference. Corporate Partners also have the opportunity to sponsor various activities, including the Conference Program, keynote speakers, receptions, coffee and refreshment breaks, and more. 

Early registration and group discounts for the 2011 STEMtech are available now through September 9. Detailed information regarding registration, exhibiting, travel and hotel, and the conference at a glance can be found at www.league.org/stemtech.

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About the League for Innovation in the Community College: The League for Innovation is an international organization dedicated to supporting community colleges. The League is the only major international organization specifically committed to improving community colleges through innovation, experimentation, and institutional transformation. The organization hosts conferences and institutes, develops web resources, conducts research, produces publications, provides services, and leads projects and initiatives with its member colleges, corporate partners, and other agencies in its continuing effort to make a positive difference for students and communities.

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CAREERS CONFERENCE MARKS 25 YEARS ON JAN. 24-26

University of Wisconsin News, Jan. 11, 2011

Later this month, the Careers Conference, hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center on Education and Work, will mark 25 years of career education and development with its annual event in Madison.

What started as a local event has grown progressively to a national affair that also reaches audiences from other countries. The conference will be held Monday-Wednesday, Jan. 24-26, at Madison's Concourse Hotel, 1 W. Dayton St.

Running themes will honor the past yet look toward the future in career development and career education. As the economy slowly recovers, the need for well-trained careers specialists and career educators grows.

The Careers Conference offers career specialists and career educators the opportunity to connect with other experts and practitioners in their fields as well as learn about practices, strategies and programs that will help them develop into well-informed professional individuals. The conference will feature overall sessions, workshops, on-site work tours and more. Stressing the importance of lifelong career development needs, the conference's topics target a wide range of participants.

Among the conference highlights are workshops lead by nationally known experts. This year, the conference will be "Exploring Green Careers" with Katia Albright on worksite visits; SolRayo and Operation Fresh Start in efforts to focus on a green economy, and the green economy's impact on future jobs and skill demands.

Other workshops include "Job Search Strategies" with Windie Wilson and Emily Hatfield, "Career Pathways 201" with Belinda McCharen, "Promoting Transferable Skills Development with Angela M. Byars-Winston, and many more.

Opening this year's conference on Jan. 25 will be keynote speaker Jim Brazell. As a technology forecaster and strategist focusing on innovation and transformative systems, Brazell explores the essential knowledge innovation skills that have become increasingly required of today's students and workers. With a background in consulting on international technology innovation strategies, discover with him how to create a future in a world today that works with creativity and innovation as well as theory and action.

Richard Nelson Bolles will be the conference keynote speaker on Jan. 26. Bolles, an author, consultant, speaker, master teacher and workshop leader, will be reinforcing his long-held career development core beliefs, while expanding on the new issues and trends he sees affecting us all in this tumultuous job market.

The conference is designed for anyone involved in career development, career education and other related fields.

For details on conference sessions, speakers, and registration, visithttp://www.cew.wisc.edu/careersConf/Default.aspx or contact Carol Edds at            608-263-4779       or cedds@education.wisc.edu.

September 16, 2011, National Career Pathways Network Educators and Employers—Discovering Solutions through Partnering

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  David Bond

September 16, 2011    254-772-8756 x369

254-744-2804 (cell)

                           

NCPN ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON IMPROVING ACADEMIC AND CAREER SUCCESS FOR TRADITIONAL STUDENTS AND ADULTS

Orlando, Florida — Over 1,000 educators and business partners will convene in Orlando for the 2011 National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) Conference, October 13-14 at the Marriott World Center. The conference theme, Transforming Lives for a Strong America, reflects the increasing emphasis on the need to create opportunities for student academic and career success, thereby increasing both personal and corporate economic successes in the U.S. “Career Pathways can play a key role in the restructuring of American education and the return of a thriving economy if we remain focused on the goal of helping all who want to succeed in life,” says Dr. David Bond, NCPN Director.

NCPN’s twentieth anniversary national conference will feature over 130 concurrent sessions divided among several programmatic strands including: Instructional Innovations, Focusing Students, Curriculum Design and Instruction, Adult Education Career Pathways, College and Career Readiness, and Engaging Business. The conference is designed for high school and college administrators and faculty as well as business partners involved in Career Pathways partnerships across the country  This year’s featured speakers represent a broad spectrum of visionary thinkers and educational leaders. Here is a sampling:

 Jim Brazell, technology forecaster, VentureRAMP, Inc.

 William Symonds, Pathways to Prosperity project, Harvard University

 Loretta Costin, Chancellor, Career & Adult Ed., Florida Department of Education

 Richard Hinckley, President and CEO, CORD

 George “Pinky” Nelson, former NASA astronaut

 Ed Meadows, President, Pensacola State College 

 Charles “Chuck” Mojock, President, Lake Sumter Community College 

 Eileen Holden, President, Polk State College

 Michael Brawer, Executive Director and CEO, Association of Florida Colleges

 Tony Iacono, President, Adult and Community Educators of Florida

 Jeraline Marsh, President, Florida Career Pathways Network

 Marilyn Barger, Executive Director, Florida Advanced Technological Education Center

 Libby Livings-Eassa, U.S. Department of Education

The general conference is preceded by 12 optional workshops on Wednesday, October 12, focusing on special emphases within Career Pathways programs.  Some of the topics are: Adult Career Pathways Leadership Certification, Career Pathways Leadership Certification, Advising Students in Career Pathways, Teaching with Meaning, and Ensuring a Secure and Competitive America.   

The 2011 NCPN Conference offers participants a wealth of networking and information-sharing opportunities. “Participants will leave Orlando with new tools and the knowledge to use those tools to their fullest potential to strengthen their local education-employer partnerships,” says Bond.

About NCPN 

The National Career Pathways Network is a membership organization for educators and employers involved in the advancement of Career Pathways, Tech Prep, and related education and workforce development reform initiatives. Founded by the Center for Occupational Research and Development in 1991, NCPN assists its members in planning, implementing, evaluating, and improving programs for traditional and adult learners. Members have access to free resources and a discounted conference registration fee. 

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