Juxtopia Urban Learning Technology Conference
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Dr. Jayfus T. Doswell and the Conference Planning Committee take great honor in expressing gratitude to all of you whose collective presence and active participation signaled for us a call to continue Juxtopia’s mission to improve human performance. Therefore, we endeavor to continue, with your support, our work with urban youth-- through research, strategies, programs and products that will further their skill development in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Incredible Speakers and Presenters Invest Urban. Secure the Nation was the resounding theme by the keynote speaker, Dr. Claud Anderson, author, activist, and entrepreneur, who encouraged youth to learn economics, be competitive and become business owners; our distinguished speaker, Dr. James E. West, JHU electrical engineering research professor who highlighted a phenomenal group of African Americans who, like himself, have been inducted in the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. West charged the students and adults to use talents, skills, and creativity that can make a difference in the lives of others. He has over 200 patents! Karen Holt, a BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) representative shared information about military efficiency transformation and implications for STEM career opportunities. Last, but far from least, our expert panelists clarified and challenged us to embrace the information and ideas they shared from their successful careers in law, business, science, medicine, research, and in parenting. We thank our panelists: Theodora Brown, Kim Carrington, Leshell Hatley, Ray Haysbert Edward Hill, Gilbert Ogonji, and Jim West!
Manager of Ceremonies, Bill Grimmette was masterful in maintaining continuity between presenters. Energetically, he pulled from his reserved energy to engage in the stacking cups game with the students. They were introduced to stacking strategies while having enormous fun. More thought provoking fun was engendered through RapSat as students teamed in using standard achievement test vocabulary to creatively perform their “rap.”
In attendance were persons from the private and public sector inclusive of administrators, artists, authors, behavioralists, K-12 and college educators, government officials, inventors, lawyers, manufacturers, media specialists, parents, performing artists, photographers, physicians, publishers, researchers, STUDENTS, theologians, and others not identified. A repetitious comment on the evaluation sheets was that of the inclusion of so many youth at this conference. We have Dr. Keith Hargrove to thank for sending very bright engineering students; Dr. Kethurah Williams, Science Chair, for coordinating the attendance of forty plus vivacious students from Howard University Middle School accompanied by other HUMS professionals; and Mr. Victor Boateng, Computer Specialist, who brought two elementary students to the conference.
Heartfelt Conference Feedback One observation warmed our hearts. The writer’s name is omitted as we did not seek permission to quote. “Your conference was incredible! From the dynamic and accomplished speakers to the wide range of youth and adult attendees, they all combined to make it a life changing event. The positive attributes were countered with some obvious and not so obvious areas for improvement noted in your evaluations. We appreciate your straight-forward candor and we sincerely apologize for our shortcomings, all of which we are addressing as we plan for 2008.
A Trillion Thanks! We cannot thank you enough for helping us to punctuate the necessity for, and the strategies toward investing in our urban youth. In so doing we strengthen our families, our communities, and our country. From dawn to dusk, our thoughts and actions must be about raising self esteem in our youth by preparing our youth for STEM careers, exposing them to their great history and culture, helping them to realize their talents and serving as mentors at whatever level and capacity we so choose. Please, do not hesitate to send us your further insights, suggestions for improvement, topics you would like addressed—Suggestion by Dr. West: the arts and STEM… POST your comments to JULT2007-2008 Blog: http://urbanlearning.techwordpress.com/
God willing, we will see you all, and the friends you invite, next year!
Have a safe and wonderful holiday season! |
