Contact: Ayanna Smith,  (202) 724-5178                                                                      

Today District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Interim Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Chris Willey announced the District’s second annual Technology & Education Summit.  The summit, hosted by Converge and the Washington, DC Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), will convene on May 4, 2009 at the Newseum in Washington, DC.

This year’s summit, like the inaugural Technology Education Summit in 2008, is designed to bring stakeholders together to address major challenges facing education in the District and the region. This year’s topic is “What is Education's Role in Solving Domestic Economic Challenges?” An influential group of over 200 delegates, including administrators, technologists, teachers, parents, and students from the DC region, will explore how education can help invigorate the economies of the region and the nation.

Summit delegates will hear exciting, nationally recognized speakers and will participate in breakout sessions to brainstorm on special topics. 

Featured speakers include futurist and author Dr. David Thornburg and Inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen.

Dr. Thornburg will discuss “Five Challenges” facing US education in the 21st century, including addressing teacher shortages, invigorating science education, creating hands-on, meaningful learning environments, developing project-based learning, and connecting the world of school to the world of work.

Mr. Kamen, creator of the world-renowned Segway®, iBot® Mobility System, and numerous other inventions, will deliver the keynote speech. His address, “Ideas into Action,” will draw on his vast experience in integrating science and technology to develop breakthrough products for practical use.

The summit’s breakout session topics include “Entrepreneurial Thinking: A Time for Thinking BIG! Strong Education, Strong Economy, Good Jobs, It All Ties Together,” “Delivering Online Opportunities: Ready to Learn in the Classroom, At Home, or Wherever,” “Content Strategies In and Out of the Classroom,” “The Interactive Classroom: See It, Touch It and Believe It!,” and “The Science Experience, STEM, Careers and Transformative Learning.”  Each breakout session will be a dynamic brainstorming exercise.  The best proposals from each session will be summarized in a comprehensive conference "Ideas!" report for DC Public Schools.

“We’re delighted to host this exciting and important conference,” said Mayor Fenty. “It’s part of our commitment to delivering excellence in education and preparing our students to compete in the global economy.”

“As the District’s technology agency, one of our most compelling responsibilities is integrating technology into the classroom to create a more vibrant and effective learning experience,” said District CTO Willey. “This conference will help us identify technology strategies that will make the biggest difference for teachers, parents, and students.”