by Dot Cannon
(Graphic courtesy of Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation, and used with permission.)
“I am in awe,” commented one attendee to the 2019 California STEAM Symposium.
“Let’s do stuff,” he enthused. “Let’s get some rockets flying! Let’s…make it happen!”
The most exciting thing about this conversation? It wasn’t part of the program.
Instead, it was one we overheard in the Anaheim Convention Center lobby, last December, after two full days of exploring the ways science, technology, engineering, art and math can give students ownership of their own educational journeys.
And as you’ll see from our previous coverage, that’s exactly what the California STEAM Symposium, co-sponsored by nonprofit Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation, does best.
Next week, they’re going to do it again, bringing together education professionals, technology companies, and students. On the program: all kinds of new and imaginative pathways to real-world-based education.
But this time, it’s all happening virtually.
Looking forward
A drone hovers over the stage during California STEAM Symposium, Anaheim, 2019.
2020 marks the eighth annual California STEAM Symposium, which begins at noon, PST, on Friday, December 11th and runs through Sunday, December 13th. And as a listener to our Over Coffee® podcast, you get a discount when you register and type in the code OVERCOFFEE!
This year’s keynote speakers, according to CDE Foundation’s website, will include Public Policy Expert Heather McGhee, Olympic Medalist/Entrepreneur/Author Ibtihaj Muhammad and “Artist for the People” Phil Hansen. Exhibitors in virtual space will provide demos, and schedule one-on-one conversations. Breakout sessions will include discussions on design thinking, social justice and ways to take STEAM beyond the classroom.
But participants won’t be simply talking and listening.
Instead, they’ll be doing–and making things.
(California STEAM Symposium makerspace, Anaheim, 2019.)
Maker activities have been a highlight of the California STEAM Symposium’s on-site events in the past. This year, despite the remote-by-necessity
As covered in our earlier interview with CDE Foundation STEAM Program Manager Karyn Warner, the maker mindset, from home, will be very much a part of the 2020 California STEAM Symposium.
And nowhere will this be more evident than on Sunday, December 13th, when “Family Day” happens. This new special event is designed for parents and children to learn together, have fun and make some seriously cool things. (And perhaps get some additional creative ideas from the “Virtual Student Showcase”, where students from elementary through high school demonstrate their STEAM projects!)
We’re looking forward to seeing California STEAM Symposium in its virtual incarnation.
Like last year, we predict–this IS going to be “epic”.
The eighth annual California STEAM Symposium begins at noon PST on Friday, December 11th and runs through Sunday, December 13th. Here’s the link for registration. Type in the code OVERCOFFEE to receive a discount!