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.
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...
Catalyst Conversations: Inside Illinois Tech’s New Innovation Space
Q&A WITH HOWARD TULLMAN Executive Director of the Kaplan Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship, Illinois Institute of Technology In this issue of Catalyst, we sit down with the Executive Director of the Kaplan Institute for Innovation and...
Catalyst Conversations: Advancing Science on a Liberal Arts Campus
Q&A WITH STEPHEN SCHUTT President of Lake Forest College In this issue of Catalyst, we sit down with Lake Forest College President Stephen Schutt. Lake Forest College is one of ISTC's newest members and a place of growing excellence in research, science education,...
Care from the Cloud: Using IoT to Revolutionize Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
Of the 6 million seniors living in the U.S. with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, more than 60 percent suffer from one of its most common and frightening symptoms: wandering. Given the disorientation and confusion that comes with the disease, those that wander away from...
Catalyst Conversations: NIU & Discover Launch Exciting Campus Initiative
Q&A WITH GERALD C. BLAZEY, Ph.D Vice President for Research and Innovation Partnerships; Northern Illinois University In this issue of Catalyst, we sit down with Northern Illinois University Vice President Gerald C. Blazey, Ph.D, to discuss NIU and Discover...
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...
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...
Beyond the Index: The Critical Role of Foreign-Born Entrepreneurs
Q/A WITH SAI PRASHANT BOYREDDY, PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER, GREAT LAKES NEUROSCIENCE Earlier this month, we at the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) released new data on the record growth of startup activity at in-state universities through...
Catalyst Conversations: Chicago’s Promise For Female Entrepreneurs
Q&A with Co-Founder & CEO of Ms.Tech - Nicole Yeary In this edition of Catalyst, we talk with Nicole Yeary, Co-Founder & CEO of Ms.Tech, to discuss her co-facilitation of WiSTEM,1871's premier female entrepreneurial boot-camp and Chicago's...
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...
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...
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