ieSonoma 2019 will serve as the launch event for an exciting new initiative aimed at increasing access to engaging science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) opportunities for all students! STEAM Champions mission is to support a framework for educators to highlight STEAM activities for students of all ages and abilities. The initiative was created to document and promote evidence of student success in STEAM activities and models of equitable access amongst all student populations. STEAM Champions is a platform to help teachers develop their beliefs about student potential in STEAM, resulting in collaborative communities sharing equitable opportunities to access these valuable experiences.

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Come join us for this exciting launch and hear stories of educators making incredible efforts to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences and students who are benefitting from these important efforts.

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Keynote Speaker:

Fredi Lajvardi

Fredi Lajvardi will kindle your innate sense of ingenuity with his remarkable firsthand account of how he transformed a group of high school students into a national champion robotics team. 

 

Fredi captivated the country when he led his team of disadvantaged teenagers in a university-level underwater robotics competition, where they defeated leading schools, including top-ranked MIT. Their story inspired the acclaimed documentary Underwater Dreams and was also adapted into the major motion picture, Spare Parts, starring actor and comedian, George Lopez as Fredi. His award-winning Falcon Robotics team is also featured in the 2017 film Dream Big.

 

Honored with numerous awards for his spirited passion for teaching, Fredi continues to serve as a prominent advocate about the importance of STEM education nationwide.

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Featured STEAM Champions:

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• Janet Hollingsworth
  BLDG 61, Boulder Library Makerspace, Boulder, CO

• Ryan Kurada
  University Elementary School, Rohnert Park, CA

• Sam Patterson
  Echo Horizon School, Culver City, CA

• Cole Smith
  Rancho Cotate High School, Rohnert Park, CA

• Gianna Thompson
  SCOE Transition Program, Rohnert Park, CA

• Hoby Wedler

       Senspoint Design, Petaluma, CA

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• MODERATOR: Diann Kitamura

       Santa Rosa City Schools, Santa Rosa, CA

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