STEAM: Powering Creativity and Collaboration October 27-28, 2013
“Study the science of art. Study the art of science ... Realize that everything connects to everything else.� Leonardo da Vinci
Welcome! “Welcome to the STE(A)M: Powering Creativity & Collaboration meeting. Qatar Foundation International (QFI) and The New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) are pleased to host more than 30 international distinguished educators and experts from Qatar and the U.S. to focus on interdisciplinary approaches to education in the 21st Century. We are proud to announce that this is an official pre-World Innovation Summit for Education meeting. The complementary alignment of WISE and QFI’s missions highlights the need for innovation in education. During the two days, we will more fully explore STE(A)M in practice and suggest workable definitions that would enhance understanding and adoption of interdisciplinary approaches by teachers and schools globally. We will discuss approaches, methodologies, guidelines and example programs of successful STE(A)M projects and curricula. We will also further explore how ‘Art’ and ‘Design’ can be integrated into STEM curricula, and share examples of how technology has been used successfully in the classroom. We are honored to have Kim Richards, Founder & President of KDR PR, as co-moderator of our two-day discussion. Kim has quickly established her reputation as an expert in representing STE(A)M initiatives around the U.S., connecting hundreds of schools and organizations through STEAMconnect. Sincerely, We hope the next few days will allow collaboration on educational initiatives that can inspire innovation in education and long-term strategies to advance the STE(A)M movement.”
Maggie Mitchell Salem
Executive Director, Qatar Foundation International
Meghan Groome, PhD.
Executive Director of Education and Public Programs, New York Academy of Sciences
Presented By
Qatar Foundation International (QFI), LLC, is a U.S.-based member of Qatar Foundation (QF). Its mission is dedicated to connecting cultures and advancing global citizenship through education. QFI is a not-for-profit organization in Washington, D.C., focused on grant-giving and programmatic activities that promote education as a force that facilitates collaboration across geographical, social and cultural boundaries.
The New York Academy of Sciences is the world’s nexus of scientific innovation in the service of humanity. For nearly 200 years—since 1817—the Academy has brought together extraordinary people working at the frontiers of discovery and promoted vital links between science and society. One of the oldest scientific organizations in the United States, the Academy has become not only a notable and enduring cultural institution in New York City, but also one of the most significant organizations in the international scientific community.
“The difference between science and the arts is not that they are different sides of the same coin even, or even different parts of the same continuum, but rather, they are manifestations of the same thing.� Mae Jemison
More Information Emergency Contacts Lobna Hassairi Qatar: +974 3365 8273 USA: (202) 250 9168 Kayla Elias Qatar: +974 3325 2179 USA: (248) 408 7094 Nasser Al-Khori +974 6660 0333 W Doha Hotel +974 4453 5353
Global Design Team: A Global ServiceLearning Experience Special Presentation by Dr. Rabi H. Mohtar during the Joint Opening Session
GDTs seek undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines, to work with faculty and community based organizations, and to engage in projects that promote sustainable development through capacity building, innovation, and long-term partnerships. Students are recruited for a semester of service on a Global Design Team (GDT) to collaborate with international partners in a credit-bearing design experience. Opportunities for travel may exist, when warranted by the requirements of the project. Student recruitment typically takes place in the Fall semester; however, opportunities for involvement may exist year-round.
Global Design Teams engage students, faculty, and international collaborators in service-learning projects. GDT offers crosscultural interaction while providing practical design experience by joining with international partners to develop sustainable solutions to real-world challenges.
The Agenda WELCOME: Saturday, October 26, 2013 7:00 p.m. Joint Welcome Reception followed by Dinner, Sukar Pasha at Katara Cultural Village with a welcome from Maggie Mitchell Salem, Executive Director, QFI DAY 1: Sunday, October 27, 2013 9:00 a.m. Joint Opening Session, Qatar National Convention Center, Room 103 Special Presentation by Dr. Rabi H. Mohtar on Global Design Team: A Global Service-Learning Experience 10:00 a.m. What do we mean when we talk about STEAM? QNCC, Room 102 11:15 a.m. What are the criteria by which you evaluate STEAM Programs? Noon Lunch 1:15 p.m. How to make STEAM from S, T, E, A and M? How can we begin to implement STEAM initiatives and curriculum? large group discussion 2:45 p.m. Break 3:00 p.m. Identifying barriers and solutions to STEAM integration small group discussion 4:15 p.m. Wrap-up Session
5:00 p.m. Meeting ends 7:00 p.m. Dinner at Souq Waqif and Informal Networking
DAY 2: Monday, October 28, 2013 9:00 a.m. Solicitation and Presentation of STEAM projects Participants are grouped based on interests 10:15 a.m. Break 10:30 a.m. Mini-project Planning Noon Lunch 1:15 p.m. Present STEAM Mini-projects Each group will have 10-15 min to present their project 2:45 p.m. Break 3:00 p.m. Finalize Mini-Project plans Include project timeline, stakeholders, collaboration after Doha plans, and next steps for individual implementation 4:15 p.m. Closing & Summary Session 5:00 p.m. Meeting ends 7:00 p.m. Dinner at Nusantao, Four Seasons Doha
The Moderators
Meghan Groome, PhD Meghan Groome, Executive Director of Education & Public Programs, New York Academy of Sciences Dr. Meghan Groome is the Executive Director of Education and Public Programs at the New York Academy of Sciences which includes the STEM Afterschool Mentoring Program, Science Alliance, the NeXXt Scholars Program, Science Teachers Initiative, and a portfolio of special projects. Dr. Groome is also the Director of Science & the City, the public gateway to the New York Academy of Sciences. Dr. Groome is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry and the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on a $2.95M collaborative grant between the Academy and the State University of New York (DRL 1223303). Dr. Groome joined the Academy in July of 2010 after spending almost three years as a consultant to the American Museum of Natural History. While at AMNH, Dr. Groome worked on special projects in the Government Relations and Education Departments. mgroome@nyas.org
Kim Richards Founder & Principal, KDR PR Kim is founder and principal of KDR PR, a PR firm exploring new ways to showcase the power of fusing arts (+a) and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in education in Southern California and throughout the U.S. She brings her experience managing corporate communications for biotech companies together with a passion for arts and education. In 2012, KDR PR co founded STEAMConnect.org with UCSD Extension to bridge the gap between the business community, arts organizations, science and education institutions to collectively elevate STE+aM education. Kim currently sits on the board of the BIOCOM Institute and KingChavez Neighborhood of Schools, is on the San Diego Advisory Council for Art of Science Learning, and is a task force member for CREATE CA, a statewide initiative to create a new blueprint for creative education in California. kim@kdrpr.com
The Participants
Dr. Michael Biggs Director, High School for Visual Arts & Design project Mike Biggs is an experienced educator and school leader of British international schools in the Arabian Gulf. His early teaching career was in art and design education with later research interests in` comparative and international education. During the 1990s, his doctoral research focused on formal education in a small country context. As a Headteacher, Mike was elected to the Executive Committee of the British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) during a period of substantial change as the BSME developed and implemented a learning focused accreditation process and further introduced a successful professional development section which spanned the region. Mike Biggs’ recent Founding Headship of JESS Secondary School in Dubai, UAE, saw the school achieve ‘outstanding’ status before he left to join his present position as a Director in the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA). He now leads the concept development of a high school for the visual arts and design. He is further involved in promoting the benefits of learning in and through art and design and is contributing to the development of a visual arts curriculum proposal for schools in Qatar. mbiggs@qma.org.qa
Dr. Saouma BouJaoude Director of the Center For Teaching and Learning, Director of Science and Math Education Center, American University of Beirut Saouma BouJaoude graduated from the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA in 1988 with a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis on science education. From 1988 to 1993 he was assistant professor of science education at the Department of Science Teaching, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA. In 1993 he joined the American University of Beirut (AUB). He served as Director of the Science and Math Education Center (SMEC) (19942003), Chair of the Department of Education (2003-2009), Director of the Science and Math Education center (2009-2012), and is presently the Director of the Center of Teaching and Learning at AUB. Dr. BouJaoude has published numerous research articles in international journals such as the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, Science Education, International Journal of Science Education, Journal of Science Teacher Education, the Science Teacher, and School Science Review, among others. Darwin and Evolution the Muslim World: http://vimeo.com/7604893 boujaoud@aub.edu.lb
The Participants
Graham Brown-Martin Founder, Education Design Labs
Graham Brown-Martin is the founder of Learning Without Frontiers (LWF), a disruptive think tank focused on new ideas for learning and teaching practice leading to improvements of a transformational nature. LWF hosts online communities and international conferences and publishes resources for international thought leaders, innovators, policy makers and practitioners from the education, technology and entertainment sectors. LWF also operates a number of programs to identify and celebrate innovative talent. Prior to LWF, Graham enjoyed a career spanning the educational technology and entertainment software industries, having built a number of creatively and technologically innovative enterprises that were sold to larger corporations including Philips Electronics and Virgin Interactive. Graham has also worked in several developing nations. How would you design a school: Graham Brown-Martin at TEDxEastEnd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_ embedded&v=9JVVFE_BLOA graham@edlabs.uk.com
Charlotte Cole Senior Vice President of Global Education, The Sesame Workshop
As Senior Vice President of Global Education at Sesame Workshop in New York, Dr. Cole oversees the nonprofit’s company-wide global education strategies and leads the educational content development and research for Sesame Workshop’s international projects. Working with educators, researchers, and production teams throughout the world, she has most recently been engaged in projects in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, South Africa, and West Bank/Gaza. She has been instrumental in the advancement of education innovations such as: the creation of Kami, the HIV-positive Muppet character who appears on the South African version of Sesame Street; the development of strong educational content designed to support girls’ education in countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and India; and initiatives to promote respect and understanding across group divides in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and elsewhere. charlotte.cole@sesame.org
How could we define STEAM? What are some of the approaches and methodologies that have been identified and successfully implemented? How can educators effectively integrate the “A” and the “E” into curricula and programs? What are some examples of schools and programs that are successfully implementing STEAM practices to develop 21st century skills and global competencies? When we depart Doha, how can we continue to work together to advance this movement? What is the role of STEAM professionals?
Beverly Damonse Group Executive: Science Advancement, National Research Foundation – South Africa
Beverley Damonse is the Group Executive for Science Engagement and Corporate Relations for the National Research Foundation (NRF), the premier research support agency in South Africa. This research agency receives its funding from the National Department of Science and Technology. Beverley is responsible for coordinating science communication and engagement across all portfolios within the NRF. She is also responsible for NRF Corporate Relations, which includes the communication of research funded by the NRF. Beverley has also recently served as acting Executive Director for International Relations and Collaborations within the NRF, which promotes the internationalization of science through country to country bilateral and multilateral cooperation and agreements. This has increased her understanding of and exposure to international science agreements and research partnerships across many countries. beverley.damonse@nrf.ac.za
The Participants
Ramiro Gonzalez STEAM Teacher, Boston Arts Academy Ramiro Gonzalez is a 39-year veteran of teaching and a teacher-of-theyear in both Texas and Boston. In addition to being certified in Biology, Engineering and Technology, and ESL, Mr. Gonzalez holds credentials as an Educational Diagnostician and training in special education. Mr. Gonzalez has been teaching at BAA since 1999, where he has been a science teacher, a member of the Governing Board, a member of the Leadership Team, and a co-director of the Summer Institute. As a founding faculty member of BAA, Ramiro helped define BAA’s habits of the graduate and has been involved in all subsequent strategic planning processes. A member of the STEAM team at BAA, he is currently working with TERC on a National Science Foundation water project, studying how interdisciplinary approaches to teaching science and art impact student learning. Coalition of Essential Schools feature Boston Arts Academy: http://vimeo.com/35651764 rgonzalez@bostonartsacademy.org
Dr. Mae Jemison Former NASA Astronaut, The Jemison Group, Inc. Dr. Mae C. Jemison is currently leading 100 Year Starship (100YSS) an initiative seed funded by DOD’s Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) to assure the capability for human interstellar space travel to another star is possible within the next 100 years. She also is founder of the technology consulting firm, The Jemison Group, Inc. that integrates the critical impact of socio-cultural issues when designing and implementing technologies, such as their projects on using satellite technology for health care delivery in West Africa and solar dish Stirling engines for electricity generation in developing countries. Dr. Jemison, the first woman of color in the world to go into space, served six years as a NASA astronaut. She flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-47 Spacelab J(apan) mission in September 1992 and was NASA’s first Science Mission Specialist performing experiments in material science, life science and human adaptation to weightlessness. Started after she left NASA, The Jemison Group also explores and develops stand-alone science and technology programs and companies. TED Talk: Teaching arts and sciences together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbX6smjXzXk jgadmin@thejemisongroup.com
The Participants
Vijay Kumar Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education and Director, Office of Educational Innovation and Technology, MIT As Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education and Director, Office of Educational Innovation and Technology Vijay provides leadership for sustainable technology-enabled educational innovation at MIT. In his prior roles at MIT as Assistant Provost and Director of Academic Computing, as well at other institutions, Vijay provided leadership for units engaged in delivering infrastructure and services for the effective integration of information technology and media services in education. Vijay was the Principal Investigator of O.K.I (Open Knowledge Initiative), an MIT-led collaborative project to develop an open architecture for enterprise educational applications. Vijay is a member of the Advisory Committee of MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) and a member of the steering committee for I-Campus, the MIT-Microsoft Alliance initiative for educational technology. He is the Executive officer for MIT’s Council on Educational Technology. In Conversation with Dr. Vijay Kumar: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZWxhAOkv6Sk vkumar@mit.edu
Grace Lau Senior Program Manager, Global Nomads Group Grace holds over nine years of Program Management experience in both, for-profit and non-profit organizations, with a focus on educational technology, global education, international development, youth leadership and youth media. As the Senior Program Manager, Grace is at the forefront of GNG’s ever-expanding portfolio through overseeing and managing its dynamic virtual exchange programs across the globe. She leads the Programs staff in both, NYC and Amman to design, plan, and implement GNG’s unique cross-cultural initiatives, while pushing the boundaries of innovation in the thematic areas of Civic Engagement, Media Literacy, and STEM. Grace cultivates and manages key partnerships with educators, private foundations and public sector donors and oftentimes leads the development and implementation of GNG’s newest program tools. She has had the honor of presenting GNG’s work at the following: Asia Society Partnership for Global Learning, ISTE (International Society of Technology and Education), COSN (Consortium of School Networks), and International Education Week at the US Department of Education. grace@gng.org
The Participants
Roger Mandle Senior Advisor for Qatar Museum Authority
A cum laude graduate of Williams College (1963), Dr. Mandle holds an MA and a Certificate in Museum Training from New York University (1967) and a Ph.D. in Art History from Case Western Reserve University (2002). His dissertation was on eighteenth century Dutch art academies. Currently Dr. Mandle is President and CEO of Roger Mandle Associates LLC., a consulting firm dedicated to assisting museums and universities in strategic planning, board and senior staff development and mentoring, and advice during important transitions. Clients include the Newark Museum, Johnson & Wales University, the University of Maryland, Qatar Foundation International and Qatar Museums Authority where Dr. Mandle is the Senior Advisor to the Chair of the Board of Trustees. Business Innovation Factory: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=AnvjKLWpW08 ermandle@gmail.com
Dr. Rabi Mohtar Executive Director, Strategic Projects, Research and Development at Qatar Foundation
Dr. Rabi Mohtar is the Executive Director of Strategic Projects, Qatar Foundation Research and Development. He is the founding Executive Director of Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI). Professor Mohtar’s professional activities addressed the important issues of developing and maintaining the environmental aspects of sustainable development that involves using our resources efficiently, maintaining or improving environmental quality, as well as maintaining or improving the productivity, economic opportunities, and health of all people. Dr. Mohtar has held numerous senior positions including Full Professor at Purdue University, Indiana and Inaugural Director, Global Engineering Programs at Purdue University. He received numerous international research awards and honors including the Kishida International award for contributions to agriculture research. Qatar Energy and Environment Research Institute: QEERI Presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMFxDn_muiE rmohtar@qf.org.qa
The Participants
No headshot available
Noora Al-Naimi Coordinator of International Relations, International Education Affairs Office noo.alnaimi@sec.gov.qa
Stephanie Norby Director, Smithsonian Center for Education Stephanie L. Norby is the Director of the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access. The Center’s focus is on empowering teachers and learners with innovative technology-enabled tools for exploration and inquiry, problem solving, and creativity and innovation. The Center creates tools and interactive experiences that engage educators and students in using Smithsonian collections and expertise for personalized learning. The Center produces pan-Smithsonian programs such as Smithsonianeducation.org (the central portal to learning resources), interactive online conferences, student quests and badges, and online games and interactives. All of the Center’s work is grounded in research and evaluation. The Smithsonian: Connecting with other Museums: http://vimeo.com/62180250 snorby@si.edu
The Participants
Lisa A. Petrides, PhD President and Founder, ISKME Lisa Petrides, Ph.D. is president and founder of ISKME, an independent, education nonprofit established in 2002, and a pioneer in knowledge sharing and innovation in the education sector. Dedicated to improving the practice of continuous learning, collaboration, and change in the education sector, Petrides has raised over $13 million for grant-sponsored research and development including the creation of the award winning OER Commons, an open teaching and learning network that facilitates the discovery and improvement of high-quality digital resources that are free, open, and available for a diverse range of learners; as well as an international “best of breed� event dedicated to catalyzing education innovation, the Big Ideas Fest. A former professor in the Department of Organizational Leadership at Columbia University, Teachers College, her research has been at the forefront of understanding how education can be made relevant to learning through open access, social learning, information sharing, and knowledge collaboration. The Conversation, with Dr. Petrides: http://www.prx.org/pieces/80187-the-conversation-eleven-dr-lisapetrides lisa@iskme.org
Ainissa Ramirez Materials Scientist and Author of Save Our Science Ainissa G. Ramirez, Ph.D. is passionate about getting the general public excited about science. She is the author of the TED Book Save Our Science based on her TED talk on improving science education. Before taking on this call to improve science understanding, she was an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science at Yale University for ten years. She received her training in materials science and engineering from Brown University (Sc.B.) and Stanford University (Ph.D.). She has authored more than 50 technical papers and holds six patents. Prior to working at Yale, she was a research scientist at Bell Laboratories, where she did award-winning materials research. At Bell Laboratories, she developed a universal solder (a reactive metal that bonds to glass) for which she was awarded MIT’s Technology Review TR100 award. WNPR: Getting Psyched about Science: http://www.yourpublicmedia.org/content/wnpr/getting-psychedabout-science ainissa@gmail.com
The Participants
Jennifer Chidsey-Pizzo Chief Education Officer of Ross Institute
Jennifer L. Chidsey has been intimately involved in Ross School and Ross Institute since she joined Ross School in 2000 as the Dean of the Science Domain. From 2000-2006 she worked on curriculum development, taught courses, and coordinated faculty as dean. During this time she was asked to join the Leadership Team at Ross School, overseeing the day-to-day operations and participating collaboratively in Head of School functions. Later as Director of Education and Outreach for Ross Institute she served on the boards of Ross School and Ross Global Academy. Jennifer returned to Ross in August of 2010 as Chief Academic Officer of the Institute and then assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2011, and Chief Education officer in 2013. Prior to returning to Ross, from 2006-2008, she was Director of K-12 Initiatives and the University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education and Director of Data Services and Curriculum at the Asia Society’s International Studies Schools Network (ISSN) from 2008 to 2010, where she oversaw projects and developed programs in data management and research, performance-based assessment, curriculum development, and school-based coaching.
Ashraf M. Salama, PhD Professor of Architecture, Chair, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Engineering, Qatar University Professor Salama is a Professor of Architecture and founding head of the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning. His areas of expertise include architectural and urban education, social and cultural factors in arch-urban design, evaluation of designed environments, and design briefing and strategic facility planning. asalama@qu.edu.qa
The Participants
Marshall Smith Former Senior Counselor, U.S. Secretary of Education Mike Smith is an independent public policy professional, with a long and rich history in education policy- making. Most recently, Dr. Smith was the Senior Counselor to the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, as well as the Director of International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education. In 2013, Dr. Smith was elected as a new member to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies and a leading center for independent policy research.
His previous positions in government have included Chief of Staff to the Secretary for Education and Assistant Commissioner for Policy Studies in the Office of Education under the Carter administration and Undersecretary and Acting Deputy Secretary for Education in the Clinton administration. mike.marshallsmith@gmail.com
Yvonne Spicer Vice President, Advocacy and International Partnerships, National Center for Technological Literacy, Museum of Science, Boston, MA Dr. Yvonne Spicer is a national and international speaker and advocate for pre- college science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Spicer was honored in 2009 by Mass High Tech: The Journal of New England Technology as one of 10 “Women to Watch.” Concerned by how many children in the U.S. “are shut out of technology and engineering,” Spicer makes a compelling case for closing the underrepresented minority gap in engineering and school leadership. With expertise in technology and engineering education standards development, assessment, and strategic school leadership, Spicer served on the technology and engineering steering committee for the frontrunner of the first national assessment for technology and engineering in the 2014 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). yspicer@mos.org
The Participants
Neville Spiteri Co-Founder & CEO, WEMO Media Neville Spiteri is CoFounder/CEO of WemoLab, responsible for management of the digital entertainment studio. Neville pioneered WemoLab’s technology platform for high fidelity interactive entertainment. He is the Executive Producerof WemoLab’s first two products, theBlu. com online digital ocean app collaborating with the Smithsonian and the OceanElders, and the children’s mobile education game Superfugu. Neville is a computer scientist and creative executive credited on acclaimed multi-million dollar franchises in film and video games, including True Lies, Apollo13, Terminator 2/3D, Final Fantasy, and Medal of Honor. Neville started his career as a software engineer on the acclaimed 3D animation product Maya at Wavefront in 1993, then as a technical director and digital effects supervisor at Digital Domain and Square. TEDxYouth@ManhattanBeach - Creating The Ocean On The Web: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jxLpliqjEg neville@wemolab.com
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Mr. Abdulaziz Hassan Al-Tamimi Head of International Relations Program, Supreme Education Council a.altamimi@sec.gov.qa
The Participants
Lucien Vattel CEO, Gamedesk Education trailblazer and game development visionary, Lucien Vattel, is at the forefront of a
nationwide crusade to revolutionize learning in the classroom and beyond. As the CEO of the Los Angeles- based interactive curriculum creator and digital publisher GameDesk, Vattel is transforming the traditional school model into a hands-on, digitally-charged ecosystem for students to discover and nourish their greatest gifts while embracing STEM skills through game-based learning. Founded to help at-risk students in low- income regions tap deeply into their intelligence and talents, GameDesk instills the value of learning through play, and empowers students to collaborate and be active producers of the content from which they learn. Building upon this methodology, Vattel founded and is Co-Director of PlayMaker, a next-generation, choose- your-own adventure middle school program designed to help teachers and students transcend the confines of textbooks and chalkboards. Unboxing education through gaming, playing, and making: Lucien Vattel at TEDxIndianapolis: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CCp_9304j3Q lucienvattel@gamedesk.org
Mona Mohamed K. K. Al-Yafai Math Curriculum Specialist, Supreme Education Council Mona received her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and her Masters in Education from Qatar University. Currently serving as math curriculum specialist at the Supreme Education Council, Mona previously served as a math coordinator and math teacher in the Preparatory and Secondary independent school for girls and Al-Bayan Education Complex. She is very active in professional development and continual education. She has participated in professional developments like the 4th Annual Qatar National Student Research Fair, Workshops in Exploring ICT in Education Conference, and Evolving leaders Program. m.alyafai@sec.gov.qa
The Participants
Georgette Yakman Owner and Founding Education
Researcher
of
STEAM
In 1996, Ms. Yakman entered Virginia Tech as a Clothing and Textiles Design major, had her first child and opened a used bookstore. As a used bookstore owner, she was recognized as an outstanding business surviving the ‘dot-com’ bust by the national secretary of HUD. She graduated with honors in 2000 and began work with a socially conscious international clothing company. Within two years, she was the VP of Marketing and Production of seven divisions, overseeing administrative and production facilities in both Ecuador and the U.S. Being away from her family too much, she decided to develop an edutourism package from the corporation she worked with for collegiate students and to focus her energies there. She phased out of working with this company and took work as an architectural designer, renovating historical homes in the Blacksburg area to fund her pursuit of a deeper understanding of the educational world at Virginia Tech (VT). Big Ideas Fest: STEAM - Learning That is Representative of the Whole World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtjuALN4qrw info@steamedu.com
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.�
Nelson Mandela
Notes
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