The Learning Worlds Institute Announces The Art of Science Learning Conferences 2011

NEW YORK, March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The Learning Worlds Institute is proud to announce "The Art of Science Learning: Shaping the 21st-Century Workforce," a National Science Foundation-funded initiative that explores how the arts can be engaged to strengthen science education and spark creativity in the 21st-Century American workforce.

On April 6-7, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History will be the site for a 1 1/2-day conference launching the initiative, convening 250 scientists, educators, teaching artists, business leaders and policymakers to showcase arts-based educational methodologies that develop collaborative, communicative and critical thinkers for the future STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) workforce; share the latest neuroscientific and educational research on the impact of arts-based learning on science education; and explore the connection between the arts, innovation and American economic competitiveness.

The conference will feature keynotes by renowned educator Susan Sclafani, Vice President for Programs of the Pearson Foundation, and neuroscientist/jazz musician Dr. Charles Limb; a conversation between Adam Bly (scientist and founder/CEO of Seed Media Group) and Paola Antonelli (Senior Curator of the Department of Architecture and Design at New York's Museum of Modern Art); and a unique Metaphorming Workshop led by Dr. Todd Siler, where participants collaboratively brainstorm using arts and science-based hands-on techniques.  

Similar conferences will also be held this spring at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago (May 16-17); and the University of California San Diego's CalIT2 (June 14-15).  Working groups formed at the conferences will subsequently develop an online knowledge base for science educators working in all forums and media; a research agenda for future quantitative impact studies; and a workforce development report with actionable public and private sector policy recommendations.  

The Art of Science Learning conferences are open to all. To register, or for further information about the initiative and the conferences, please visit: www.artofsciencelearning.org.

The Learning Worlds Institute acknowledges major funding for The Art of Science Learning from the National Science Foundation. Sponsors include the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Seed Media Group; national partners also include Americans for the Arts and the Association of Science and Technology Centers.  Harvey Seifter is the Art of Science Learning project director and principal investigator for the NSF grant. David Green is project manager and director of content management. Liz Dreyer, executive director of the Learning Worlds Institute is producer of the Art of Science Learning conferences.

The Learning Worlds Institute (www.learningworldsinstitute.org) provides innovation consulting services to non-profit organizations focused on societal issues, and creates new projects and programs that represent breakthrough models for social change.

CONTACT:  
Dr. David Green
203-520-9155
[email protected]

SOURCE Learning Worlds Institute