National Future of Education Technology Conference Kicks Off Today, Focusing on STEM
(PRWEB) January 12, 2016 -- Thousands of educators and technology professionals from around the world are converging at the 36th annual Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) in the Orange County Convention Center to peer into the future of classroom technology. As one of the largest ed-tech conferences, FETC provides pre-K – 12 educators and administrators the opportunity to explore the integration of technology across the curriculum through hands-on exposure to the latest software and successful implementation strategies.
Reshma Saujani, Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, kicks off the conference as the Opening Keynote speaker. She will discuss bridging the gender gap in technological learning and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education. According to Girls Who Code, women make up half of the U.S. workforce, but hold approximately 25 percent of the jobs in technical or computing fields. To further educate attendees about this issue, FETC will host a screening of CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap, a documentary which exposes the shortage of American female and minority software engineers and explores the reasons for this gap.
“FETC is excited to feature experts on ed-tech trends, such as STEM, who will provide insight on how to teach these topics to all students,” said Mike Eason, FETC General Manager.
FETC STEM Innovation and Keynote speaker, engineer and astronaut, Leland Melvin will present the importance of pursuing STEM careers. Also, FETC will recognize excellence and innovation in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education at the primary, middle and high school levels at the second annual STEM Excellence Awards. The finalists are Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (Overland Park, Kan.), Immaculata-La Salle High School (Miami, Fla.), Nikola Tesla STEM High School (Redmond, Wash.), Laing Middle School of Science and Technology (Mount Pleasant, S.C.), Renton Prep and the STEM Academy (Savannah, Ga.), Douglas L. Jamerson Jr. Elementary (St. Petersburg, Fla.), The Evergreen School (Shoreline, Wash.) and Jack Anderson Elementary (Hendersonville, Tenn.). Winners for each division will be announced during the keynote.
“Beyond STEM, FETC prides itself in highlighting a variety of education technology topics in its more than 500 sessions – from podcasting in the classroom to assistive technology to game-based learning,” said Eason.
National Teacher of the Year Sean McComb will keynote iWill: Activating Empowered Teachers and Students, where he will share his positive experiences in transforming his classroom and conditions needed for students and teachers to thrive.
The conference will feature more than 400 exhibitors including Florida Shines, Insight Systems Exchange, National Science Foundation, Scantron, Microsoft, Lenovo, Symballo Edu, Aver and Epson.
Learn more about FETC at http://www.fetc.org. Join the conversation by following the conference on Twitter (@FETC) and using and searching the hashtag #FETC.
About the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC)
For 36 years, the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) has brought together education leaders and technology experts to exchange techniques and strategies for teaching and learning success. Known worldwide for its outstanding program, FETC provides educators and administrators the opportunity to explore the integration of technology across the curriculum — from pre-K - 12 — through hands-on exposure to the latest hardware, software and successful strategies.
About LRP Conferences, LLC
LRP Conferences, LLC, an affiliate of LRP Publications, produces more than a dozen professional conferences and trade shows annually, including: Campus Technology Conference, Transformational Technology in Higher Ed Conference, Ergonomics Conference & ErgoExpo, Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), HR in Hospitality Conference, HR Technology® Conference & Exposition, Recruiting Trends Conference, and National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference® & Expo.
About LRP Publications
LRP Publications, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., is known as educators’ most trusted source for practical and legal education administration guidance and produces newsletters (Education Daily®), books, pamphlets, DVDs, audio conferences, eLearning courses, online services (Title1admin.com, EducationDaily.com and Special Ed Connection.com) and training tools to help educators implement sound programs and avoid compliance errors related to Title I, autism, discipline and more. LRP also produces professional education conferences including: National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities® and Special Education School Attorneys Conference. For a complete list of LRP products, eCourses and conferences, please visit http://www.lrp.com.
Note: Media representatives interested in attending and covering FETC 2016 can register on-site in the Press Room at the Orange County Convention Center where registered media representatives can schedule interviews, work stories or just relax. Media representatives are required to register and will not be admitted into any FETC venues without a badge issued by FETC press staff. There is no cost for media registration.
Brianna Barnebee, RB Oppenheim Associates, http://www.tthied.com, +1 (850) 386-9100, [email protected]
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