Category: Catalyst
Growing Innovation and Jobs through RIS
ISTC’s role in growing the RIS Program, its impact on Illinois, and how you can get involved. For the better part of a decade, ISTC has worked with its federal partners at SSTI to grow the EDA’s Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program. As a result of this work, the RIS program has grown dramatically […]
Innovation Policy Update: Recapping a Busy Session in Springfield
By Matthew Bragg, Director of Data & Policy, ISTC Earlier this month, the end of a busy session in Springfield saw new legislation with far-reaching implications for Illinois’ innovation economy, including a $40 billion budget and $45 billion capital bill. Thanks to the hard work of many in the community—including iBIO, the Illinois Chamber of […]
The Powerful Impact of Real-World, Problem-Based Learning
By Alex Larson, Applied Technology Teacher, Township High School 211 Problem Based Learning (PBL) is an approach that’s often discussed in STEM education, with curriculum typically based around teacher-developed problems meant to engage students on multiple levels. While this can be effective, nothing compares to the learning and engagement created by real-world problem-based learning. For […]
Catalyst Conversations: MxD’s Next Five Years
Q&A WITH CHANDRA BROWN Executive Director at MxD In late September 2018, DMDII got a new Executive Director, Chandra Brown. Less than six months later. DMDII announced $10 million in new funding and a five-year contract with the U.S. Department of Defense worth up to $60 million. This was followed by the news that UI Labs […]