Category: STEM Talent
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 […]
ISTI’s Inaugural Student Research Showcase: Giving Students a Platform to Excel
The Illinois Science and Technology Institute (ISTI) hosted its inaugural Student Research Showcase on Friday, March 22nd at MxD, the Design and Manufacturing Institute, as a celebration of inquiry and student-mentor collaboration. The Showcase highlighted a selection of the vast student research that has been taking place throughout the 2018-19 academic year over the Mentor […]
Employers Guiding STEM Talent: 2nd Annual Employer Summit Recap
On June 12th, the Illinois Science & Technology Institute (ISTI) and NIU’s Education Systems Center hosted our 2nd STEM Employer Summit focused on STEM talent pipeline development and building effective learning partnerships in Illinois. Employers and stakeholders discussed best practices for impactful talent development models through K-20 mentorship, internships, and college apprenticeships. Speakers shared their […]
How Corporate-High School Partnerships Cultivate Illinois Innovation
BY ISTC Board Chair Shelley Stern Grach, Director, Civic Engagement for Microsoft Chicago For the past five years, Microsoft has participated in ISTI’s STEM Challenge program to authentically engage with Chicago Public School students by presenting a technology challenge that allows students to develop their own innovations under the guidance of Microsoft mentors. Microsoft deepened its […]
Catalyst Conversations: How Chicago Can Become a Black Tech Mecca
Q&A with Co-Founder & CEO of Black Tech Mecca – Fabian Elliott In this edition of Catalyst, we talk with Fabian Elliott, Co-Founder & CEO of Black Tech Mecca, to discuss the current state of Chicago’s Black Tech Ecosystem and the city’s role in expanding diversity and inclusion in tech. Black Tech Mecca is […]
Illinois’ Leading Role in the Next Big Tech Disruption
By Andreas Cangellaris, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Engineering and Incoming Provost University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Computer scientists and engineers have always been comfortable with disruption. Where others see a threat, we see a promise. Where others wonder what will become of the world, we define what the world can become. Think of […]
Harnessing Postdoc STEM Talent to Strengthen Illinois’ Innovation Ecosystem
By Kristene Henne, Postdoctoral Program Lead, Leadership Institute, Argonne National Laboratory The Illinois Innovation Index STEM Talent report released earlier this month highlighted the growth of Illinois’ production of degrees in STEM fields and specifically called out the state’s concentration of postdoctoral researchers as a key strength for the innovation economy. Indeed, postdocs represent some […]