So what if we put students in charge of planning a global student technology conference? It is happening Saturday, January 31 as students from around the world connect and share about technology. Encourage your students to present, participate, and learn. I asked Eric Walters, the teacher of the students organizing this event to share. As we shared in Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds — students are the greatest textbook written for each other. OPEN THE BOOK. Let your students know.
[guestpost]Guest post by Eric Walters, Director of STEM Education, Marymount School of New York [/guestpost]
Students at the Marymount School of New York, working with students as nearby as Westhampton, Long Island and as far away as Mumbai, India, decided to connect the world, one student at a time through the 2015 Student Technology Conference.
What are the topics? Who is presenting?
The 2015 Student Technology Conference is a free, virtual event, bringing together students from around the world. They are planning to discuss technology in their schools, global collaborations and opportunities for innovative learning.
Here's the logo: STC. I love how they are using an ethernet cable instead of the traditional “electrical plug”. It shows how far we've come! I hope you share this with your students. Let's help them live their vision.
Conference Strands.
The conference has some exciting strands:
- Making, Design, Innovation and 3D Printing
- School Technology Clubs
- Technology in Schools: Projects and Collaborations
- Educational Tools
- Students and Social Media
- Entrepreneuship
Student Keynotes.
We have some exciting keynotes!
- Students from American School in Mumbai
- Students from Westhampton Middle School
- Dylan DeWaart, globalbuddy.org
Here are some of the student planning team members who are partnering with other students from around the world.
When is the conference?
The conference will be held online at: studenttechnologyconference.com on Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 9 AM to 9 PM EST. All of the presentations and all of the keynotes will be by students!
How Do Students Participate?
Submit a Proposal.
We are still accepting proposals for presentations. You can submit your proposal at: http://studenttechnologyconference.com/page/call-for-proposals
Attend the Conference.
Or sign up as an attendee at: http://studenttechnologyconference.com/group/2015-attendees
How Did The Students Plan It?
In planning the conference, the students first had to develop a conference mission statement. The conference, by students and for all, is committed to:
- Fostering a better understanding of how students use technology and to engage students, teachers and administrators in a conversation about technology.
- Assisting teachers and administrators in understanding how students use technology both in and out of the classroom.
- Strengthening the relationship between students, teachers, and administrators about technology in the classroom.
The students also started a Kickstarter campaign to fund the conference infrastructure. The campaign was successful and was funded at 176%!
Our Inspiration
The STEM fields provide a unique opportunity for students to both collaborate with each other and to connect with subject experts from around the world. Using the work of Alan November as inspiration, educators can develop and implement unique learning and leadership opportunities for students to achieve this goal.
Our Appreciation
We need to thank the following people:
- Lucy Gray and Steve Hargadon: Educational consultants and mentors .
- Concepcion Alvar: Headmistress, Marymount School of New York
[callout]I encourage you to share this with your students. You all have students who need to share their story or who just need to connect with other students OUTSIDE of your school. Plus, you can get in on the ground floor of something very special. Head over to studenttechnologyconference.com and email the link to your faculty, staff, and students. [/callout]
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