Dr. Eugenie Scott: Climate Change in Schools

Dr, Scott is the Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education and author of Climate Science in Schools: the Next Evolution. States like Louisiana and Tennessee already allow educators to challenge accepted climate science in the classroom and more states are considering similar legislation. Join Dr. Scott and the Will Steger Foundation for an important discussion about the state of climate change education in our schools.

Energizing Open Innovation: Education, Business and Government

This event explored how open innovation platforms can benefit and transform the education, government, and business sectors. We heard from TopCoder, a business engaged in this process, discussed opportunities for students in computer science and the future of the work place. Featured speakers included:; Shawn Pearson, Director, Technology at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.; and Thomas Baden, CIO at the Department of Human Services, State of Minnesota.

Technology and the Design of Personalized Learning: A Genesis for Education

This event will looked at re-engineering the classroom to harness the power of digital technologies. What would a fully digitized classrooms look like? What technology is needed to ensure students master vital skills and develop critical thinking in a collaborative setting, that teachers can assess pupils in real time, and that social media and digital libraries can be effectively utilized to connect learners to a wide range of resources?

Imagining New Connections in Science and Engineering Education

Change is on the horizon for STEM education across the country. A recently released report from the National Research Council presents a new framework for K-12 science education that identifies the key scientific and engineering ideas and practices all students should learn by the end of high school.

One Voice: Coming Together to Transform Education

Hosted with the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), in conjunction with their three day 2012 Midwest Great Lakes Regional Conference. Click here for more details and to register.

Former German Ambassador to the United States, Ischinger on: The World In Turmoil - Challenges Emerging from the Post Financial Crisis Era

Ambassador Ischinger will addressed the problems besetting the Euro Zone and the implications that this may have for both the European Union and the Global economy. He will also provided insights on the issue of Iran nuclear ambitions, Middle Eastern peace initiatives, and the outcomes of "Arab Spring of 2011" one year later.

Spring Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy Seminars (STEP FAR)

STEP FAR is designed for students, staff, faculty, and fellows to get together in an informal setting to discuss their projects, research-in-progress, opportunities, and a variety of other issues related to science, technology, environment, energy, and policy.

Linda Birnbaum

Linda S. Birnbaum is Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and National Toxicology Program Division. As NIEHS and NTP director, Dr. Birnbaum oversees a budget that funds multidisciplinary biomedical research programs, prevention, and intervention efforts that encompass training, education, technology transfer, and community outreach. The NIEHS supports more than 1,000 research grants.

Minnesota Green Chemistry 2012: Strategies for Growth.

This conference will explored how we can reap the benefits of green chemistry by promoting a healthy business environment for green chemistry here in Minnesota. The keynote speaker was Dr. Patrick Gruber, Chief Executive Officer of Gevo, who has served as a director of the company since 2007.

A Conversation with EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

There was a presentation and audience conversation with Lisa P. Jackson, which was moderated by Professor Deborah Swackhamer. In her presentation, Jackson addressed the role of science in decision making-protecting our health and promoting a healthy economy and recent challenges to environmental laws.

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt

He discussed the future of the high-tech economy. “We will come to understand the importance of having artists and designers at the same level as systems engineers and that’s actually a new fact and it’s really, really important.  It’s the defining point of how technology will move forward.” Watch the video of the event.

Telecommunication Mergers and the Public Good

October 3rd, 2011: AT&T proposed a merger with T-Mobile which would create the largest mobile telecommunications carrier in the United States. The magnitude of the merger has raised questions whether it is in the public interest. AT&T has contended that the merger would enable it to expand service, including broadband service. Former Congressman Rick Boucher, a partner in the Washington, DC office of Sidley Austin, and amalia deloney, Grassroots Policy Director for the Center for Media Justicel described their differing views of the proposed merger and respond to audience questions.

Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy Feedback and Research (STEP FAR) Seminars

September 20:
Stop Treating the Subsurface like Dirt: Overview of Research into Earth Services and Risks of Emerging Subsurface Technologies
Jeffrey M. Bielicki, Visiting Research Scientist and Graduate Faculty

October 4:
Collaboration and Institutional Patterns in Biotechnology Risk Assessment
Aliya Kuzhabekova, Research Specialist

October 18:
Hennepin County Water Governance Project - An Application of Design Thinking to Governance
Will Nissen, M.P.P.-STEP Alumnus

November 1:
Toxic Chemicals - Designing Better Management and Policy
Deborah Swackhamer, Professor and Charles M. Denny, Jr. Chair of Science, Technology, and Public Policy

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