INDIANA STEM Summit 2024 

Official event site

Thank you for joining us for the first annual Indiana STEM Summit brought to you by the Indiana STEM Ecosystem. All event information can be found on this page. Scroll down for concurrent session details. 

A special thank you to our event sponsors & partners!

Schedule AT A GLANCE

7 AM Museum Garage Opens

8 AM Museum Doors Open (Enter via garage skywalk)

8-9 AM Registration/Check-In


9-10:15 AM Opening Session & Interactive Keynote (Lilly Theater)

10:30 AM STEM Playground Opens (Gathering Room B)

10:30-11:15 AM Concurrent Sessions

11:30-12:15 PM Concurrent Sessions

12:30-1:30 PM Midday Eat & Explore Break

Lunch in Food Court

Explore the STEM Playground & museum

1:45-2:30 PM Concurrent Sessions

2:45-3:30 PM Concurrent Sessions


3:30-4:30 PM Museum & STEM Playground Exploration 

4:00 PM STEM Playground Closes

4:30 PM STEM Summit Ends

5 PM Museum Closes

INTERACTIVE KEYNOTE 

“Draw Your Future with Agilities: A Simple Picture Will Change Everything”

SPEAKER: Patti Dobrowolski, Up Your Creative Genius

The odds against you making change in your life are 9 to 1 – against it!  This dynamic

interactive workshop will show you how to beat those odds. When you combine your Agilities, (what you are good at and passionate about doing) with a simple, visual, goal-setting process you will see where you are right now, envision the future state you desire, and then choose the 3 Bold Steps you can take to turn that vision into reality. See how to leverage the latest neuroscience, strategy, and drawing to train your brain to identify and stay focused to maintain a positive mindset and achieve your goals. Learn how you and your Agilities can help you make change more easily and you don’t even need to know how to draw.

10:30-11:15AM CONCURRENT SESSIONS 

Classroom 101 (Level 1)

Classroom 103 (Level 1)

Entrance to Dinosphere (Level 1)

STEM Lab (Level 4)

Sports Legends Experience (Level 1 - Outside)

11:30AM-12:15PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS 

Lilly Theater (Lower Level)

Classroom 101 (Level 1)

Classroom 103 (Level 1)

Entrance to Dinosphere (Level 1)

STEM Lab (Level 4)

Sports Legends Experience (Level 1 - Outside)

1:45-2:30PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS 

Level 3 Training Room

Classroom 101 (Level 1)

Classroom 103 (Level 1)

STEM Lab (Level 4)

Sports Legends Experience (Level 1 - Outside)

2:45-3:30PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS 

Lilly Theater (Lower Level)

Level 3 Training Room

Classroom 101 (Level 1)

Classroom 103 (Level 1)

STEM Lab (Level 4)

Sports Legends Experience (Level 1 - Outside)

Speaker Bios

KEYNOTE - Patti Dobrowolski, author of multiple books – most recently Creative Genius You: The Equation that Makes YOU Great and illustrator of The Game of Innovation is founder of Up Your Creative Genius, a consulting firm that uses visuals and creative processes to help companies and individuals around the world accelerate growth and change. A critically acclaimed comic performer, four-time TEDx, and internationally recognized speaker, writer, and business consultant, she has brought innovative visual and game-storming practices to Fortune 100 companies, government, non-profits, education, and entrepreneurs across the globe. Patti holds a master’s in psychology with an emphasis in Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her large format strategic illustrations grace the walls of Nike, Mastercard, Starbucks, Pepsico, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and The Seattle Space Needle to name only a few.


Email: Patti@upyourcreativegenius.com

www.upyourcreativegenius.com

Instagram

LinkedIn


SESSION PRESENTER - Tracey Dingle's main motivation is to provide hands-on experiences to students to invigorate them to love learning, failing fast and finding the multiple ways that they can approach and solve real-world problems, together with their peers. All students deserve the opportunity to find what inspires and motivates them! Tracey is based our of Fishers, Indiana and has three children that love Lego bricks. 


Email: tracey.dingle@LEGO.com

LinkedIN

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SESSION PRESENTER - Dr. Amy Virginia Gilbert recently finished 25 years as a middle and high school science educator. She serves as a Science Ambassador and Virtual Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education (DOE). Her experience and expertise were recently highlighted on the Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) Series: Science in Action and as a state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Dr. Gilbert also consults for UL Research Institutes, GPB Virtual Learning Journeys, and Georgia DOE.


Email: amy.gilbert@ul.org

LinkedIN 


SESSION PRESENTER - Rachel Haselby is a dedicated computer science specialist with Indiana 4-H, a role she has excelled in for the past four years. With a strong passion for technology and education, she works to inspire and educate young minds in the field of computer science. Before joining Indiana 4-H, Rachel spent several years as a computer science teacher in Rochester, IN, where she developed a comprehensive curriculum and engaged students in innovative projects. Her background in teaching has provided her with a unique perspective on educational needs and strategies, which she brings to her current role. Residing on a farm in Indiana, Rachel enjoys a fulfilling life with her husband and their three daughters. When she's not working, she can often be found spending time with her family, and helping to support their passions.


Email: rhaselby@purdue.edu

LinkedIN


SESSION PRESENTER - Amber Hudson, Vice President of Educational Services at 1st Maker Space, INC., leads the curriculum development and professional development for 1st Maker Space. Amber spent over twenty years teaching upper elementary in Hamilton Southeastern Schools. During her tenure, she taught a variety of subjects, but fell in love with STEM. She created a classroom maker space, at the cusp of the maker movement, that was collaborative, problem-based and student driven. Her classroom maker projects gained the attention of Mayor Scott Fadness of Fishers, IN, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Congresswoman Susan Brooks. Amber has an M.Ed. in Curriculum Development and has a passion for developing curriculum and designing lessons that engage students with hands-on learning. Amber leads professional development opportunities across the United States with a focus on engaging,

STEM related, hands-on content. She is a member of the Indiana STEM Ecosystem and presents STEM related topics at conferences across the United States.


Email: amber@1stmakerspace.com

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LinkedIN


SESSION PRESENTER - Mary Keller is a middle school science teacher at Horizon Christian School. Mary has taught for 7 years and earned her undergraduate degree from Butler University and masters degree from Purdue University in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in STEM. 


Email: mkeller@hcsindy.org

LinkedIN


SESSION PRESENTER - Dr. Danielle Winter Lay is an ecological engineer with expertise in ecosystem restoration and water quality engineering. Dr. Lay received a B.S. in Biological Engineering from North Carolina State University and a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and College of Engineering Dean’s Teaching Fellow. Dr. Lay now leverages her technical background and experiences with teaching engineering to support STEM programs offered through Indiana 4-H Youth Development, including Indiana 4-H Invention Convention, as a 4-H STEM Extension Specialist at Purdue University.


Email: winter35@purdue.edu

Twitter: ecoengineerDani

LinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/ecoengineerdani


Indiana STEM Ecosystem, Lead - Amanda Williams McCammon is an experienced Indiana educator with over 20 years serving at all levels within public education including as a technology education and PLTW teacher, building administrator, CTE Director, Student Services Director, and Assistant Superintendent within rural, suburban, and urban communities. Amanda also spent two years serving the students and educators of Indiana at the State level as the Chief of Workforce & STEM Alliances at IDOE.  As a former IDOE cabinet-level member serving Indiana educators and students across the state, Amanda led the charge from the General Assembly in 2017 to develop a 6-year State-wide STEM strategic plan outlining Indiana's objectives for STEM education. Since leaving the IDOE in 2019, Amanda has served as a national educational consultant working toward equitable, high-quality STEM for all. Amanda currently leads the Indiana STEM Ecosystem and supports expanding career pathways as an Education & Integration Specialist for The DeBruce Foundation. Amanda is completing a PhD at Purdue University and resides in Yorktown, Indiana with her four teenagers.


Email: amanda@INSTEMEco.org

LinkedIN


SESSION PRESENTER - Bill Reed is a licensed Secondary Math Teacher who was a classroom teacher for 30+ years between Indiana and California. He has taught every math class from 7th Grade Math to Calculus at the Community College level. Bill was a former President of ICTM, helped facilitate

the Indiana State Math Contest and awards ceremony, and oversaw the ICTM Annual Meeting and Conference for many years. He was a Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science State Finalist in both California and Indiana. Bill received a Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholarship to study the education system in Japan and a second Fulbright Scholarship to study the education system in Brazil. Most recently he worked with the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to give S.T.E.M Professional

Development to Central Asian Teachers. Bill earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science at Butler University along with his teaching certification. He worked on his graduate studies in Secondary Mathematics Education at both California State University and Ball State University.  After teaching, he was the Secondary Math Specialist at the Indiana Department of Education, a Regional Director for the GEAR UP Grant at Purdue University, and currently the Secondary Math and S.T.E.M. Specialist for INcompassing Education.


Email: bill@incompassingeducation.com

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LinkedIN


SESSION PRESENTER - Becki Rowan is an Education Program Manager in the Office of Research Experiences & Education at Underwriters Laboratories Research Institutes (ULRI) where she leads education program development and support for K-12 educators.  She also oversees the community education program, bringing professionals from STEM fields into classrooms. Becki has a background in education, working in classrooms from elementary to college level, as well as coaching high school athletes.  Aside from her work in education, Becki has been in the fire service for two decades, holding every rank from firefighter to chief officer.  She currently serves as a battalion chief for the Chanhassen (MN) Fire Department.  Becki has a Master of Education degree focused on teaching and learning and an Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy.


Email: becki.rowan@ul.org

LinkedIN


SESSION PRESENTER - Daniel Sternberg is a science educator and communicator with over 10 years' experience in field-based science and teaching. His career has centered around broadening participation in science for all learners, and he has worked with hundreds of educators to help transition them toward next-generation science teaching. Daniel currently works as an education and training specialist at UL Research Institutes, where he creates educational content and opportunities for educators to access safety science and standards research. Daniel has a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of Oregon and a secondary science teaching credential from California State University, Northridge. Daniel’s professional career has been multidisciplinary, and he specializes in helping scientists communicate with diverse audiences. He has mentored educators and undergraduate students, as well as early-career professionals.


SESSION PRESENTER - Dr. Bethany King Wilkes - Having dedicated nearly two decades to STEM education, Dr. Bethany King Wilkes is the Postsecondary Education Program Manager in the Office of Research Experiences & Education of the Underwriters Laboratories Research Institutes (ULRI). Before joining ULRI, she served in leadership roles in higher education at various institutional types including a state community and technical college system, historically black university, private university, and Carnegie classified R1 university. In addition to higher education, Bethany also worked in K-12 career and technical education (CTE) for the Tennessee Department of Education, where she managed the development and revision of secondary state course standards for STEM, advanced manufacturing, and information technology. Prior to a career transition into education, Bethany worked in industry as an engineer.


Email: bethany.kingwilkes@ul.org

LinkedIN 


SESSION PRESENTER - Becky Wolfe, Director of School Programs and Educational Resources, has over 20 years in education, including 17 years focused on informal education for school, teacher and family audiences. She directs the museum’s School Programs team, which develops field trip programs, classroom curriculum, and teacher professional development opportunities. During the 2020-2021 school year, Ms. Wolfe developed and implemented the museum’s virtual school program plan. In addition, Ms. Wolfe is responsible for the museum’s in-depth science lab, and represents the education department on exhibit development teams. In recent years, she managed several STEM and Humanities education grants for the museum and serves as the museum’s liaison to state and national STEM Education organizations. Prior to joining the museum in 2007, Ms. Wolfe taught 5 th grade math and science at St. Michael Catholic School in Louisville, KY. Ms. Wolfe received a BA degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa and an M.Ed, specializing in science education from the University of Louisville. In 2018, she was a fellow in the NextGen Program at the Getty Leadership Institute at Claremont Graduate College. 


SESSION PRESENTER - Ann Zimmerman has supported the work of non-profits for over 30 years and founded Zimmerman Strategic Consulting in 2003. She actively consults with The DeBruce Foundation creating innovative strategies for career exploration. Ann has a background in strategic planning and marketing, leadership and program development, event management, fundraising and governance education. As a skilled facilitator, problem solver and communicator, she thrives on building consensus and moving organizations forward. In 2011, she was part of the planning team to develop the KC STEM Alliance and served as the STEM Ecosystem Coordinator for five years. Prior to her work as a consultant, Ann served as Executive Director for Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City and provided strategic planning and leadership development support for the Sisters of Charity Health System. Ann holds a bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy and Master’s in Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas.


Email: azimmerman@debruce.org

LinkedIN