Catalyst
The Catalyst newsletter is a monthly publication that spotlights components of the state’s innovation ecosystem. Each month, we feature a column written by a leader from the tech community, highlight innovation news in Illinois, or offer perspective on current issues in the innovation community. Catalyst is the best way to stay up-to-date on all things science and technology in Illinois.
Catalyst Conversations: The Future of Quantum in Chicago
In May’s Catalyst, we partnered with the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) to explore the evolving landscape of Quantum Information Science (QIS)—including how Illinois researchers are learning to harness the technology and building relationships with industry along the...
We Must Do Better.
As our nation comes to grips with the systemic racism that has plagued our society for generations, it seems only appropriate to take stock of where Illinois’ tech community stands—and how we must do better. The numbers are grim. African-Americans make up nearly 15...
Beyond the Index: Entrepreneurship in Action
How two university-supported startups are taking on COVID-19 in very different ways. Last month, ISTC released its 2020 University Entrepreneurship Index, detailing record growth of Illinois’ university-supported startups. Over the past five years, entrepreneurs on...
5 Things to Know About Quantum Information Science
Quantum is a branch of physics that deals with the smallest particles in our universe. This field is relatively new and dynamic; we are only beginning to learn the ways in which we can apply quantum physics to our repertoire of technologies. One of the most promising...
How Illinois’ Innovation Community is Rising to the Challenge
Here's how Illinois' innovators, educators, and entrepreneurs are taking on COVID-19 COVID-19 may be the defining societal challenge of our time. Over the past several weeks, the magnitude of this challenge has increasingly come into focus—as too has the need to...
Catalyst Conversations: Opening Pathways to Engineering and Computer Science
Q&A WITh Doris Espiritu Executive Director of Engineering and Professor of Chemistry, City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College The City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) creates a critical talent pipeline for the city. The seven colleges that form the CCC...
Catalyst Conversations: Leveling the Playing Field to Grow Inclusion in Tech
Q&A WITh Dorie blesoff Chief People Officer, Relativity Last month, ISTC released it's 2019 Talent Index, highlighting the state's computer and data science talent. Illinois is the second-largest producer of computer science degrees nationally, and the...
Broadband For All
How Microsoft's Airband Initiative is helping more Illinoisans access high-speed internet Broadband internet is something that many of us take for granted, but high-speeds provided by broadband are still a limited resource in many parts of rural America. The...
Entrepreneurship is No Longer Just for Big Universities
Curriculum at Lake Forest College Opens New Doors for Students Entrepreneurship among students at Illinois’ universities has grown significantly in recent years. ISTC’s 2019 Entrepreneurship Index found that over the past five academic years, students and...
Catalyst Conversations: Solving the Computer Science Teacher Shortage in Illinois
Q&A WITH RAYA HEGEMAN-DAVIS Illinois Secondary Teacher Education and Computer Science Initiative (I-STECS) On September 20, the inaugural Illinois Statewide K-12 Computer Science Education Summit was hosted at the National Center for Supercomputing...
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...
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...
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....
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...
Beyond the Index: Insight from Innovation Day
Last week, members of Illinois’ innovation community gathered in Springfield as Governor J.B. Pritzker proclaimed April 12, 2019 “Innovation Day” in the state of Illinois. The event, hosted by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) and the Illinois...
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...
Catalyst Conversations: mHUB’s Rapid Growth and What’s Next
Q&A WITH HAVEN ALLEN CEO and Co-founder at mHUB This month marks two years since Chicago makerspace mHUB opened its doors. Since then, mHUB’s community of entrepreneurs, manufacturing mentors, industry experts and investors has grown exponentially. In just two...
Beyond the Index: University of Illinois City Scholars Highlights Chicago to Tech Grads
Q&A WITH SMIT PATEL University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign senior in computer engineering and City Scholars participant Despite the common narrative that most of the state's top tech talent leaves Illinois, ISTC analysis through the Illinois Innovation Index...
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