Actor, Author, and Activist Ed Begley, Jr., to Keynote First Annual STEMtech Conference

June 19, 2010 - PRLog -- The League for Innovation in the Community College announced today that Ed Begley, Jr. will deliver the opening keynote address on October 31, 2010, at the first annual STEMtech conference, a four-day event during which educators and community and industry leaders will join together for in-depth, interactive presentations and discussions about increasing student access into and success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The 2010 STEMtech, hosted by Santa Fe College, Polk State College, University of Central Florida, and Valencia Community College, is also designed to help educators explore the strategic use of technology to better serve their students, their campuses, and their communities.

Best known for his roles in St. Elsewhere, The West Wing, and Best in Show, Ed Begley, Jr. currently stars in Living With Ed, a reality show that chronicles his and his wife’s attempts to live the green life near Los Angeles, California, while competing to be more environmentally friendly than neighbor Bill Nye, the Science Guy. Begley has been considered an environmental leader in the Hollywood community for many years. He has served as chairman of the Environmental Media Association and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He still serves on those boards, as well as the Thoreau Institute, the Earth Communications Office, Tree People, and Friends of the Earth, among many others. Begley’s work in the environmental community has earned him a number of awards from some of the most prestigious environmental groups in the nation, including the California League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Coalition for Clean Air, Heal the Bay, and the Santa Monica Baykeeper.

The 2010 STEMtech will also feature over 400 sessions facilitated by leading STEM and technology experts covering everything from best practices for recruiting and retaining students for STEM-related programs to more effectively engaging students in instruction using social networking and other online tools. Nationally-recognized speakers will discuss major technology- and STEM-related issues; full-day summit facilitators will lead workshops in each of the conference’s seven tracks; and an extensive exhibition featuring an impressive variety of hardware, software, consulting, course management, furniture, publishing, and other products and services will also be available.

“Begley’s presentation will fit extremely well with the 2010 STEMtech, especially since he has a strong message that encourages environmentally-friendly living practices, as colleges and universities around the world dramatically increase their efforts to integrate sustainable practices into teaching and learning, campus operations, and community service,” said Gerardo E. de los Santos, League for Innovation President and CEO.

Tracks for this ground-breaking conference include:

STEM Tracks
•   Health and Science
•   Energy, Environment, and Sustainability
•   Mathematics, Engineering, and Architecture
•   Manufacturing, Industry, and Agriculture
•   Technology, Multimedia, and Telecommunication

tech Tracks
•   Technology Systems and Applications
•   E-Learning Resources

Early registration and group discounts for the 2010 STEMtech are available now through October 1, 2010. Detailed information regarding registration, exhibiting, travel and hotel, and the conference at a glance can be found at www.league.org/stemtech.

Contact: Edward J. Leach
(480) 705-8200 x233
leach@league.org

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About the League for Innovation in the Community College: The League for Innovation is an international organization dedicated to supporting community colleges. The League is the only major international organization specifically committed to improving community colleges through innovation, experimentation, and institutional transformation. The organization hosts conferences and institutes, develops web resources, conducts research, produces publications, provides services, and leads projects and initiatives with its member colleges, corporate partners, and other agencies in its continuing effort to make a positive difference for students and communities.