The Nifty Fifty Speakers, the high-profile group of researchers and professionals in science and engineering who wowed students during the last year's Festival with their inspirational school visits and talks, are returning for the 2014 USA Science & Engineering Festival! Featuring some of the most inspiring role models in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (or STEM), the Nifty Fifty is a signature program of the USA Science and Engineering Festival. We are dedicated to presenting students hands-on information on some of the most exciting fields and careers in STEM, including: green technology, robotics, human health and medicine, astronomy and space exploration, nanotechnology, computer science, and science related to business startups, law, public policy, and more!
We're tripling the number of participating Nifty Fifty speakers to 150 so that more schools and classrooms can experience these fascinating renowned experts during the 2013-2014 school year! The "Nifty Fifty (times 3)", as these noted science and engineering professionals are called, will soon be preparing to fan out across the Washington, DC area to speak about their work and careers at various middle and high schools.
Schools in the greater Washington D.C. area with interest in having a Nifty Fifty speaker come to your school, please fill out this brief interest form so that we can notify you when we begin accepting applications for the program. Priority Nifty Fifty registration will be given to X-STEM Certified Schools. (see above for details)
Here is just a "sneak peek" of Nifty Fifty Speakers that we have selected so far:
Tyler DeWitt - This high school teacher and Ph.D. student in Microbiology at MIT is fast becoming known as a innovator in science education as he implements exciting new approaches to classroom instruction and curricula that foster critical thinking and problem solving.
Sylvester James Gates, Ph.D. - Learn how the desire to pursue physics began at eight years old for this renowned scientist, leading him later to groundbreaking research in such cutting-edge areas as superstring theory, supersymmetry and supergravity.
Margaret Hamburg, M.D. - As the top official of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this physician and neuroscience researcher is responsible for making and enforcing policies that protect the public health of us all -- from the food we eat to the medicines we use. Discover the challenges she faces in this high-profile position.
Diandra Leslie-Pelecky,Ph.D.- Buckle up as this noted physicist (who penned the book The Physics of NASCAR) takes you on full-throttle journey through the science of race car driving and other aspects of speed!
Geoffrey Ling, M.D., Ph.D. - Discover how this renowned specialist in brain and spinal cord injury is leading a national effort to develop the first fully-functioning bionic arm and other highly functional prosthetic limbs for returning wounded soldiers and others through his work at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Visit this link for more information on the Nifty Fifty Program and the biographies of this impressive list of speakers.
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