Our Theme is Innovation

3rd Annual Conference Report

Thursday MARCH 4, 1999

Ontario Science Centre 770 Don Mills Road Toronto, Ontario

PICTURES & THANKS HOW IT WENT: Innovator Report. Click HERE for some photos and a report by Peter Kondoff on the event. SPEAKERS: Welcome BY Pamela Kay, B.Sc.,M.Ed.,Assoc. Director: Educational Programs, Ontario Science Centre, host Cecil W. Schneider, PE., President, Society of Manufacturing Engineers Keynote Speaker: Veronica Lacey, Deputy Minister of Education & TrainingGovernment of Ontario Gerry Ann Marie Connelly, Director:  Curriculum and Assessment Policy Branch, Ministry of Education and Training Professor Charles L. Barsony Vesna Cota, D.I.A. Professor Mo Elbestawi Professor G. Raymond Gibson, M.Sc Professor A. A. Goldenberg Professor Peter W. Long Professor Mateusz (Matt) P. Skalad Professor Farrokh J. Sharifi Ron D. Venter Professor M. Worswick closing remarks: Stephen C. Armstrong, B.Sc, P.Eng,MIMechE, C.M.C. MISSION STATEMENT Our goal is to change the way technology is thought of as an occupation and the way it is taught at all levels of the educational system. We want to encourage hands-on experience in our schools and to nurture the spirit of inventiveness and innovation in our children. Technology must become a calling highly regarded by our society in order to attract the innovators among us. Our theme is Innovation in education in industry in environmental solutions   WAS AN EXCITING PROGRAM “Educating the Innovator” conferences were also held in March of 1997 and 1998, designed to enlist the aid of others in our society in learning how to recognize and attempt to solve some of the problems relating to our diminishing accessibility of expertise in all of the high tech areas. This years program is specifically designed for the teachers of kindergarten through 12 grades, to better inform them of some of the major high tech areas and an integral part of SME and what their particular prerequisites may be.   Thanks to Our Sponsors Ontario Science Centre Society of Manufacturing Engineers Professional Engineers of Ontario, Oakville Chapter Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology (Ontario) National Engineering Week GTA National Engineering Week OSC Representatives from industry, government, education and labour voted these suggestions top priority in need fo attention at the first Educating the Innovator Conference in March 1997: Top Seven Ideas: Exposure to trades, technical skills and work at an early age Eliminate social bias related to hands-on/industrial, work-oriented education. Enable transfer of credits at high school and post secondary level, and in transition between the two Increase mentorship from industry for students and teachers National standards for balanced curriculum (English/French, math, science, technology etc.). Go for provincial standards first - must be agreement among professional organizations & commerce - and push as a coordinated/coherent group!! Require Bridges between high school, college, university and industrial apprenticeship Overall coordinating body to unify technical learning and experience