University of Rochester President Joel Seligman and NYS Board of Regents Vice Chancellors Milton Cofield and Wade Norwood invite you to participate in a Progressive Dialogue designed to generate innovative ideas and strategies New York State’s PK-20 education program can take to respond to this crisis. This Rochester summit will take place Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at the Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York.
The dialogue will begin at 8:30 am and run through 3:30 pm, the basic agenda is included below.The US is in crisis, economically and educationally. The pipeline of qualified men and women prepared to step into the workforce as technically competent problem solvers and innovators has reached a critical point. It is no longer about when the shortage occurs, but about its magnitude and impact on national security, environmental sustainability, and industrial pre-eminence in a globalized economy.
In the 21st century, education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is important for students of all ages and disciplines – yet fewer and fewer students are engaging in STEM education. This Rochester summit is part of a statewide “progressive dialogue” on STEM being led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Participation in this effort is being sought from leaders in industry, education, government, philanthropy and non-profit organizations. The goal is to design a strategic roadmap for advancing PK-20 STEM education across the state, in order to build a workforce capable of creating, innovating, and competing in the technology-driven 21st century economy.The first dialogue was hosted by Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in June 2009. Over 100 leaders came together to consider the state of STEM education in New York, learn about innovations under way in other states, and suggest strategies for advancing STEM opportunities in New York.
Please RSVP to this invitation-only summit by October 23, 2009. Once registered, you will receive further details about the summit by e-mail.
Regional Progressive Dialogue
November 4, 2009 BASIC Agenda
The agenda for the Regional Progressive Dialogue is designed to provoke discussion, debate, envisioning and exchange to yield a set of strategy recommendations advocated by an engaged leadership network.
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Welcome and Dialogue Opening Remarks
10:15 a.m. Small Group Breakouts: Generating ideas for “Collaborative Innovation” (details below) 12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Small Group Breakouts: Identifying ways to promote “Innovation through Inclusiveness” (details below) 2:00 p.m. Group Report-outs and Interactive Ranking of Recommendations
3:00 p.m. Discussion of the mandate going forward
3:15 p.m. Closing Remarks
3:30 p.m. Adjourn
Small Group Discussions
Generating ideas for “Collaborative Innovation”
Goal: identify 2 to 3 radical ideas for partnerships or opportunities that we can undertake to advance STEM education in New York State. Questions to provoke the discussion include:
A. What are the fundamental challenges(s) we’re facing in advancing STEM in NYS? In teacher preparation? In supporting inservice teachers? In supporting higher education faculty ? In promoting STEM learning among PK-20 students?
B. How do we achieve widespread STEM learning within the current NYS accountability system? What are the desired outcomes? What should we be measuring? What would advancing STEM education achieve in NYS?
C. How do we fix the “leaky” pipeline in STEM education? How do we encourage and support and retain students from underrepresented groups in STEM education?
D. What types of partnerships and mechanisms (including informal learning centers, such as museums and R & D centers) ought to exist to develop and sustain infrastructure required to support innovation in STEM education, and ultimately the workforce?
E. What can we do to catapult STEM education to meet the challenges of the 21st century global economy? What can the U.S. learn from other countries about advancing STEM education?
Identifying ways to promote “Innovation through Inclusiveness”
Goal: identify 2 to 3 radical ideas for increasing the inclusiveness of STEM education, to ultimately fuel the innovation required for economic growth. Questions to provoke the discussion include:
A. Are there generational differences among educators, learners, parents, administrators, etc. which are impeding STEM education? If so, what are these?
B. How do we address the “digital divide”?
C. What are possible disconnects in the STEM education system that impede inclusiveness? How might the particular challenges faced by high-needs urban and rural schools and 2 and 4 year higher education institutions with regard to STEM education, be considered?
D. How could social networking tools support inclusiveness in STEM education?
E. How could we use technological innovation to provide technology access to all PK-20 students and faculty ?
F. What can New York State do to develop and promote a more inclusive STEM education infrastructure (PK-20)? For teacher preparation programs? For inservice teachers? For Higher Ed faculty? For PK-20 students?
