IdeaFestival returns to the Bluegrass Region highlighted by the keynote addresses of Jad Abumrad of NPR’s Radio Lab and author Rich DeMillo, noted for his work on the revolution in higher education.
IF Bluegrass will take place at the Eastern Kentucky University Center for the Arts, April 21-22, presented by the Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium and Bluegrass Tomorrow.
IF Bluegrass begins with IF Youth Day on April 21, followed by the public IF Bluegrass April 22.
IF Youth Day is free to middle and high schools students of the region
and will feature a unique IF Career Maker Faire, featuring hands-on exhibits and demonstrations from colleges, universities, businesses and industries. It will also focus on college and career choices and STEM disciplines, science, technology, engineering math. Student and young professional speakers will inform about the most popular career pathway strands available in the Bluegrass.
Tickets are now on sale for the Abumrad and Demillo keynotes at IF Bluegrass public day on Friday, with a full day ticket for $85, or individual tickets, at varying prices, for the Abumrad presentation only. Tickets are available at www.ekucenter.com or 859-622-7469.
Schools and students should also register with the EKU Center for the free IF Student event, as space is limited.
Other featured speakers at IF Bluegrass on Friday include: Dr. Roman Yampolskiy, director of the Cybersecurity Laboratory at the University of Louisville “Future with Artificial Superintelligence;” an Earth Day duo of speakers: Elizabeth Bagby of Alltech on the future of agriculture and agri-science, “A Glimpse at Feeding the World,” and nationally renowned chef and local foods expert Ouita Michel owner of Holly Hill Inn, Smithtown Seafood and other central Kentucky restaurants; and Kris Kimel, president and founder of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation and Space Tango, and the original founder of IdeaFestival, with his presentation, “Next Gen: Space.”
Jad Abumrad, host of WNYC’s Radiolab, knows something about creative struggle. He will discuss what he calls “Gut Churn,” the uncertainty that exists at the very core of creative process. Using examples from Radiolab‘s own evolution, he shares the benefits of negative feedback and how we can look out for “pointing arrows” to help guide our work (even when it hurts).
“Gut Churn” addresses what it means to “innovate,” and is the result of a three-year study of the science, philosophy and art.
Abumrad’s Radiolab is a show about curiosity. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy and human experience. Roadiolab is heard around the country on more than 500 radio stations.
DeMillo, executive director of the Center for 21st Century Universities at the Georgia Institute of Technology and author of over 100 articles, books, and patents, including his most recent book: Revolution in Higher Education-How a Small Band of Innovators Will Make College Accessible and Affordable.
His presentation titled: “A Revolution in Higher Education: Tales From Unlikely Allies,” will be an account and behind-the-scenes story of pioneering efforts for transforming higher education through technology and fueled innovation, introducing new ways to disseminate knowledge and better ways to learn — all at lower cost.
Building on his earlier book, Abelard to Apple, DeMillo argues that the current system of higher education is clearly unsustainable.
Hewlett-Packard’s first Chief Technology Officer, DeMillo is the 2013 Lumina Foundation Inaugural Fellow and also a Fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Association for Computing Machinery.
The event is being planned and facilitated by the Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium, which is comprised of the 12 colleges and universities in the Bluegrass region including: Asbury University, Berea College, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Centre College, Eastern Kentucky University, Georgetown College, Midway University, Morehead State University, Kentucky State University, Sullivan University, Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky.
From Bluegrass Tomorrow