X-STEM Symposium Kicks-Off the USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo at the DC Convention Center; “TED-Style” Event Introduces Kids to Science Visionaries

carlyo — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:09:07 +0000

By Shawn Flaherty

The first ever X-STEM: Extreme STEM Symposium—presented by Northrop Grumman Foundation and MedImmune—kicks-off the 3rd USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo and Book Fair, hosted by founding and presenting sponsor Lockheed Martin. Being held on April 24^th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in DC, X-STEM is a “TED-style” event for kids with talks by 50 of the nation's most noted science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals representing top universities, corporations, non-profits, and governmental agencies.

“X-STEM is the perfect start for the Festival as we work to spark kids’ interest in STEM careers. Opening students’ minds to all the possibilities that science creates is critical to ensuring our nation’s progress,” explained Larry Bock, Festival co-founder.

Geared towards middle and high-school students, X-STEM features interactive presentations and workshops by an exclusive group of visionaries who aim to empower and inspire kids about STEM careers. Throughout the day, top STEM role models and industry leaders will ignite students’ curiosity through storytelling and live demonstrations. Sessions will cover a wide array of subject areas including space exploration, storm chasing, oceanography, the science of social networks, the physics of superheroes, mathematical puzzles and more.

“The Northrop Grumman Foundation and the employees of Northrop Grumman are excited to be part of the Festival and to support the X-STEM Symposium. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to hear from great speakers, participate in workshops that explore the wonders of science and ignite their interest in STEM and STEM careers,” Sandra Evers-Manly, President, Northrop Grumman Foundation and vice president, Global Corporate Responsibility, Northrop Grumman.

Here is a sampling of scheduled X-STEM speakers and their topics:

Jack Andraka – This Baltimore high school student developed a diagnostic test that detects pancreatic cancer more accurately, quicker and cheaper than existing tests.
Anousheh Ansari – She made headlines as the first female private space explorer and astronaut of Iranian descent. Now she is helping drive space industry commercialization.
Blake Bullock – This exciting, plain-speaking astrophysicist from Northrop Grumman will discuss the next-generation telescope being developed to replace Hubble.
Francis Collins, Ph.D. – He’s known for his landmark discoveries in genetics and for leading the Human Genome Project. He now heads the National Institutes of Health.
Sylvia Earle, Ph.D. – This legendary oceanographer has been dubbed “Her Deepness” by the New York Times and a “Hero for the Planet” by Time magazine.
David Gallo, Ph.D. – Find out what life is like deep below the ocean from this renowned oceanographer (who co-led the Titanic exploration).
Bernard Harris, M.D. – This physician and entrepreneur was an NASA astronaut and the first African American to walk in space.
Nan Hauser, Ph.D. – Profiled on 60 Minutes, this scientist-conservationist’s work in the remote tropical region of the Cook Islands may help save the endangered humpback whale!
John Holdren, Ph.D. –Gain perspective from this noted aeronautics and plasma physics researcher who works as the senior advisor to President Obama on science and technology!
Barrington Irving – He made history in 2007 by becoming the youngest person and the first African American to pilot a plane solo around the world.
Laura Richman, DVM, Ph.D. – This MedImmune veterinarian scientist and molecular virologist launched her career by identifying a mysterious virus that was killing elephants.
Michael Shermer, Ph.D. – Author and Skeptic Magazine publisher says human’s tendency to believe strange things boils down to the brain's most basic, hard-wired survival skills.
J. Craig Venter, Ph.D. – The scientist who led the first sequencing of the human genome has plenty to say about the future of DNA research discovery.
James West, Ph.D. – An acoustical scientist world-known for his invention of the foil electret microphone.
Josh Wurman, Ph.D. – Discover first-hand from this original storm chaser what it is like to track and study deadly tornadoes.

“We are excited to sponsor the first-ever X-STEM symposium, with its focus on engaging students in the exciting and important work being done in the STEM fields,” stated Dr. Bahija Jallal, Executive Vice President, MedImmune. “I am hopeful this accomplished group of speakers will inspire many of our young participants to learn more about pursuing careers in STEM.”

X-STEM runs from 9am-5pm and has a nominal cost of $15 per person for students and educators and $25 for others. Space is limited to the first 3,000 registrants. Schools and individuals interested in attending should sign up at: www.usasciencefestival.org/schoolprograms/x-stem-extreme-stem-symposium/x-stem-registration-form.html.

The symposium is part of the USA Science & Engineering Festival, which culminates with the Festival Expo on April 26-27 from 9am-6pm. The Festival Expo is a free, family-friendly event with more than 3,000 hands-on activities and 100 live stage performances. Taking over the entire convention center, the Festival Expo will also have a Career Pavilion, Book Fair—complete with signings by well-known science authors, and multiple workshops and competitions such as EPA P3’s sustainability challenge, making it the Super Bowl of STEM. In all, the Festival expects more than 250,000 people to participate.

Founded by serial entrepreneur Larry Bock and Lockheed Martin CTO Ray O Johnson to address the severe shortage in science and tech talent, the USA Science & Engineering Festival is the nation’s largest science festival. To learn more, visit www.USAScienceFestival.org or watch the video at www.usasciencefestival.org/festival-highlight-video.

carlyo Tue, 03/18/2014 - 13:09

Dream Big: A New Year’s Resolution for Tomorrow’s Science Innovators

carlyo — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:43:16 +0000

Dream Big: A New Year’s Resolution for Tomorrow’s Science Innovators

By Larry Bock

Co-Founder of USA Science Science & Engineering Festival

Seemingly as fast as the speed of technology, another new year is upon us, leaving us to ponder and predict what the next 12 months will bring. You only have to view a recent issue of Popular Science which lists the top 100 innovations that occurred in 2013 to realize that 2014 will undoubtedly continue to belong to those with the courage, talent, vision and tenacity to innovate – especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

So, to all you young students with the desire to be the next Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, J. Craig Venter, Shirley Ann Jackson, Sylvia Earle or Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa -- let me propose a New Year’s resolution for you: Dream Big! And have the confidence and perseverance to follow those dreams, despite obstacles and setbacks.

As the late Charles Vest, Ph.D., who as president of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and past president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) knew a thing or two about innovation, said, “We need the brightest minds to solve some of the toughest challenges around the globe -- challenges involving energy, water, biotechnology, climate and sustainability, and improving healthcare delivery and national security."

USA Science & Engineering Festival X-STEM School

To attract the caliber and diversity of individuals to tackle these problems, we also need to find new and creative ways to introduce students to the wonders and promise of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), which is why the USA Science & Engineering Festival was founded.

The Festival, and its finale Expo -- the nation's largest celebration of science and engineering aimed at inspiring the next generation of innovators --is once more gearing up to assemble an unforgettable line-up of renowned and diverse innovators to demonstrate an important fact to young students: STEM is not only cool and fun, but vital to improving the quality of life for everyone in countless ways.

Join us April 26-27, 2014 at the Washington, DC Convention Center as the Festival, with Lockheed Martin serving as founding and presenting host, brings some of America’s foremost achievers in STEM –including those in space exploration, biotechnology, nanotechnology, entrepreneurial startups, robotics, green technology, Hollywood special effects, and oceanography – up close and personal for young learners.

Adding to the excitement is the Festival’s all-day X-STEM - Extreme STEM Symposium set for Thursday, April 24 at the DC Convention Center where students, K-12 educators, parents and the general public will gather for an all-day experience of workshops, live demonstrations and other hands-on interaction with leading visionaries in STEM, including:

John Holdren, Ph.D., senior advisor to President Obama on science and technology; Barrington Irving, youngest person (and first African American) to fly solo around the world, and who is now developing the first flying K-12 classroom; Melissa Rhoads, high-powered data analytics strategist at Lockheed Martin who is unlocking new ways to harness big data; Angela Belcher, Ph.D., famed MIT bioengineering visionary; J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., the scientist who led the first sequencing of the human genome; Cynthia Warner, innovator of “green crude” alternative fuel; and molecular biologist Robert Tjian, president of the powerful Howard Hughes Biomedical Institute.

Yes, the future does belong to the Innovator. Now that’s a maxim that the next generation of STEM visionaries can hitch their star to for 2014.

carlyo Thu, 01/23/2014 - 16:43