Michael Tissenbaum

Other Speakers for the Lenovo Scholar Network

Laura Laltrello, Lenovo ‎- Vice President & General Manager, Data Center Services; Lenovo

Colleen Devery – Assistant Vice President, Strategic Alignment; NAF

50-minute breakout session

Presentation Title: Preparing the Next Generation to be STEM Ready

Presentation Abstract: Since fall 2012, NAF, Lenovo, and MIT App Inventor have partnered to provide exposure and encourage interest among high school students in STEM. This program, called the Lenovo Scholar Network, is designed to enable the next generation of developers and entrepreneurs from underserved communities. Open to students in all types of NAF academies, including: finance, information technology, health sciences, hospitality and tourism, and engineering, the Lenovo Scholar Network has extended STEM opportunities to more than 5,000 participating students nationwide.

In conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT App Inventor, a project within the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), Lenovo Scholar Network students also have the opportunity to use MIT App Inventor to develop Android mobile apps using Lenovo devices as part of an annual app challenge.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of work-based learning opportunities including worksite tours, mock interviews, internships, and more.

Experts from NAF, Lenovo, and MIT App Inventor will join together for a panel discussion to explain how they work together and what makes the project successful from each perspective. Topics will include the benefits of students working on meaningful projects that provide real-world solutions; the importance of businesses shaping the future talent pipeline; as well as key resources that educators can access.

Attendees will take away best practices around the power of partnership for the benefit of ALL students.

Biography: Mike Tissenbaum is a learning research scientist with the App Inventor team at MIT’s Center for Mobile Learning. Mike’s research, which focuses on collaborative learning and knowledge communities, aims to understand how children develop STEM and computational literacies when engaged with technology-enhanced learning. More broadly, Mike’s work focuses on how to design transformational learning environments that combine interactive physical spaces, digital information, and collaboration between learners to envision the future of learning both in and out of schools. Mike has developed several theories on how students collaborate and learn in open-ended and exploratory learning environments.

Jeffrey Vinokur

Biography: Jeffrey Vinokur, 27, holds a PhD in “Biochemistry, Molecular, and Structural Biology” from UCLA, has performed wild science experiments on the NBC Today Show, ABC’s The View, and has over 25 million YouTube views as a hip hop dancer. Vinokur has a contagious passion for science and specializes in getting audiences of all ages excited about it through live shows and educational videos. His stage show has toured 7 times with presentations at the World Science Festival, Smithsonian Institution, and over 300 schools from San Francisco to Boston. To share his passion with as many people as possible, Jeff has invented hit science toys found in Toys-R-Us, consults on science shows for Netflix and Fox, and conducts cutting-edge research on biofuels. His science credits include a full scholarship at UCLA, prestigious fellowships from the National Science Foundation, and an impressive track record of scientific publications. Vinokur is the founder of Generation Genius, a digital library of entertaining videos aligned with the NGSS DCIs that include supplementary materials. This session marks their premiere!

Laura Laltrello

Other Speakers for the Lenovo Scholar Network

Colleen Devery – Assistant Vice President, Strategic Alignment; NAF

Michael Tissenbaum  Research Scientist, MIT App Inventor

50-minute breakout session

Presentation Title: Preparing the Next Generation to be STEM Ready

Presentation Abstract: Since fall 2012, NAF, Lenovo, and MIT App Inventor have partnered to provide exposure and encourage interest among high school students in STEM. This program, called the Lenovo Scholar Network, is designed to enable the next generation of developers and entrepreneurs from underserved communities. Open to students in all types of NAF academies, including: finance, information technology, health sciences, hospitality and tourism, and engineering, the Lenovo Scholar Network has extended STEM opportunities to more than 5,000 participating students nationwide.

In conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT App Inventor, a project within the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), Lenovo Scholar Network students also have the opportunity to use MIT App Inventor to develop Android mobile apps using Lenovo devices as part of an annual app challenge.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of work-based learning opportunities including worksite tours, mock interviews, internships, and more.

Experts from NAF, Lenovo, and MIT App Inventor will join together for a panel discussion to explain how they work together and what makes the project successful from each perspective. Topics will include the benefits of students working on meaningful projects that provide real-world solutions; the importance of businesses shaping the future talent pipeline; as well as key resources that educators can access.

Attendees will take away best practices around the power of partnership for the benefit of ALL students.

Biography: As Vice President & General Manager of DCG Services, Laura Laltrello leads the worldwide Services organization that provides support for Lenovo’s datacenter customers. She continuously drives improvements and focus to deliver an effortless customer-centric experience. She has a passion for solving core business problems through analytics, optimization, and innovation.  Laura volunteers to help technology students make career choices and motivate new mothers to succeed in the workplace.

Janet Hoekenga

Presentation Title: Award-winning STEM Enrichment Program for Grades 4-8 from Flinn Scientific

Abstract: Join us as we present FlinnSTEM powered by IMSA Fusion! Created by leading educators from the internationally recognized Illinois Math and Science Academy®, IMSA Fusion blends inquiry-based student content and in-depth teacher professional development. Ignite student interest in science and math with interactive lessons that connect concepts to the students’ lives, thereby arousing their curiosity and increasing their motivation to learn. Twelve different problem-centered curriculum modules easily integrate with STEM courses in the classroom or after-school STEM programs. Each module includes all materials needed to complete 32 hours of instruction and access to online point-of-use video training to help you successfully implement the FlinnSTEM IMSA Fusion program. www.flinnsci.com www.flinnstem.com

Biography: Janet Hoekenga is a staff scientist and the middle school science specialist at Flinn Scientific, Inc. in Batavia, IL. Janet received her B.S. in Junior High Education from Illinois State University, with an emphasis in science and health, and her M.Ed in Educational Leadership from National-Louis University in Illinois. She has twenty-one years of teaching experience. Prior to joining Flinn Scientific, Janet taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade science at Wood Dale Jr. High in Wood Dale, IL and seventh and eighth grade science at Wheaton Christian Grammar School in Wheaton, IL, where she was also the Jr. High Coordinator for five years. Janet has presented workshops for middle school science and physical science teachers at national and regional NSTA conferences and several state science teacher association conferences.

Colleen Devery

Other Speakers for the Lenovo Scholar Network

Laura Laltrello, Lenovo ‎- Vice President & General Manager, Data Center Services

Michael Tissenbaum  Research Scientist, MIT App Inventor

50-minute breakout session

Presentation Title: Preparing the Next Generation to be STEM Ready

Presentation Abstract: Since fall 2012, NAF, Lenovo, and MIT App Inventor have partnered to provide exposure and encourage interest among high school students in STEM. This program, called the Lenovo Scholar Network, is designed to enable the next generation of developers and entrepreneurs from underserved communities. Open to students in all types of NAF academies, including: finance, information technology, health sciences, hospitality and tourism, and engineering, the Lenovo Scholar Network has extended STEM opportunities to more than 5,000 participating students nationwide.

In conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT App Inventor, a project within the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), Lenovo Scholar Network students also have the opportunity to use MIT App Inventor to develop Android mobile apps using Lenovo devices as part of an annual app challenge.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of work-based learning opportunities including worksite tours, mock interviews, internships, and more.

Experts from NAF, Lenovo, and MIT App Inventor will join together for a panel discussion to explain how they work together and what makes the project successful from each perspective. Topics will include the benefits of students working on meaningful projects that provide real-world solutions; the importance of businesses shaping the future talent pipeline; as well as key resources that educators can access.

Attendees will take away best practices around the power of partnership for the benefit of ALL students.

Biography: Colleen Devery is Assistant Vice President of Strategic Alignment at NAF, a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready. She is responsible for aligning and integrating across operational functions and enabling the implementation of strategic priorities tied to the measurement of success metrics and outcomes for students.