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BrainSTEM
WHAT IS THE BRAINSTEM UNCONFERENCE?
A collaboration between Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and Waterloo-based Communitech, the BrainSTEM unconference is an invitation-only summit designed to connect creative, like-minded content architects with science outreach experts, digital media professionals, entrepreneurs, and other leaders in the digital media and education space.
The BrainSTEM unconference took place at Perimeter Institute and Communitech in Waterloo, Ontario from Monday, June 25 through Wednesday, June 27 2012.
Inspired by the work of digital media educators and entrepreneurs like MinutePhysics, CrashCourse, RadioLab, and Khan Academy, this three-day idea incubator will bring together talented individuals from around the world with overlapping interests in three spheres: digital media, science, and education.
Instead of passively listening to "sage on the stage" presentations, participants at the BrainSTEM unconference will actively participate in setting the topics for discussion in advance of the event. The unconference will start with a single keynote talk from an innovator, and then the participants will carry the conversation forward through two days of focused, facilitated discussions.
The BrainSTEM unconference will also feature a unique on-site competition with teams of exceptionally talented young content creators building videos, games, and/or apps during an non-stop 48-hour sprint. With a $25,000 dollar top prize, the contest is guaranteed to be intense!
About Perimeter Institute
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI) is an independent, non-profit, scientific research organization working to advance our understanding of physical laws and develop new ideas about the very essence of space, time, matter, and information. Located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, PI also provides a wide array of research training and educational outreach activities to nurture scientific talent and share the importance of discovery and innovation among students, teachers, and the general public. In partnership with the Governments of Ontario and Canada, PI is a successful example of public-private collaboration in scientific research, training, and outreach. www.perimeterinstitute.ca
About Communitech
We help technology companies start, grow, and succeed. Communitech is a not-for-profit organization that supports technology companies in Waterloo Region that promotes the region as a technology cluster. Our programs and events connect professionals, share ideas, and strengthen companies. We also champion innovation and collaboration on a provincial and national level. Learn more about Communitech at https://www.communitech.ca.
Perimeter Institute and Communitech gratefully acknowledge the support and leadership of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. FedDev Ontario recognizes and supports the need for a vibrant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics community closely linked to the world of business and entrepreneurs.
| Name | Title | Affiliation | Primary Location |
| Marie-Claire Shanahan | Associate Professor, Science Education and Science Communication | University of Alberta | Alberta |
| Derek Muller | Creative Director | Veritasium | Sydney, Australia |
| John Green | Author | Indianapolis, IN | |
| Carin Bondar | Writer/Blogger/Filmaker | Freelance/David Suzuki Foundation/SciAM | British Columbia |
| John Pavlus | Writer/Director/Founder | Small Mammal | Brooklyn, NY |
| Brady Haran | Video Journalist | Periodic Videos | Nottingham, UK |
| Chris Casella | Managing Director | ScienceAlert | Australia |
| Nelson Dunk | Producer | Skylight Productions | Waterloo, ON |
| Angela Maiers | Founder and President | Maiers Education Services | Clive, Iowa |
| Vi Hart | Mathemusician | Khan Academy | California |
| Olivia Koski | Senior Producer | The Atavist | Brooklyn, NY |
| Sheila Barry | Co-Publisher | Groundwood Books | Toronto, ON |
| Crystal Dilworth | Piled Higher and Deeper | California | |
| Mark Rosin | Director (US) | UCLA and co-founder of Guerilla Science | San Francisco, California |
| Jace Meyer | Manager of Member Services and Outreach Programs | Actua Outreach | Ottawa, ON |
| Mark Zwicker | Director of Technology | Actua Outreach | Ottawa, ON |
| Karen Klink | Educational Programs Manager | Research in Motion | Waterloo |
| Jinty Smith | Educational Programs Specialist | Research in Motion | Waterloo |
| Krister Shalm | Postdoctoral Fellow | IQC | Waterloo |
| Louis Leblond | Postdoctoral Researcher | Perimeter Institute | Waterloo |
| Rob Spekkens | Faculty | Perimeter Institute | Waterloo |
| Henry Reich | Creator | MinutePhysics | Waterloo |
| Cara Santa Maria | Science Correspondent | The Huffington Post | Los Angeles, California |
| Destin Sandlin | Learner/Explorer/Creator | Smarter Every Day | Decatur, Alabama |
| Joanne Manaster | Blogger/Vloger | Joanne Loves Science | Illinois |
| Sai | CogSai | North Carolina | |
| Iyinoluwa Aboyeji | Bookneto | ||
| Catherine Anderson | Science World/UBC | ||
| Sandra Corbeil | National Science and Technology week | ||
| Simon DeBoer | InGamer Fantasy Inc. | ||
| Richard Epp | Perimeter Institute | ||
| Steve Farlow | Schlegel Center for Entrepreneurship | ||
| Rebekah Fraser | Real World STEM | ||
| Colin Grey | C.G.P. Grey/YouTube | ||
| Chris Howlett | Waterloo Accelerator Centre | ||
| Sarah MacLachlan | House of Anansi | ||
| John Short | Machteld Faas Xander | ||
| John Sobol | The Media League | ||
| Isabella Stefanescu | Inter Arts Matrix | ||
| Michael Stevens | Vsauce/YouTube | ||
| Frank Taylor | Title Entertainment | ||
| Michael Merrifield | University of Nottingham |
The BrainSTEM unconference took place at the Perimeter Institute and Communitech in Waterloo, Ontario from Monday, June 25 through Wednesday, June 27 2012.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
|
Angela Maiers - Speaker. Writer. Passionate Educator
Angela is an active blogger, social media evangelist, and passionate advocate for bridging the gap between business and education. She is a recognized educational leader, trainer, and author. She is the owner and Chief Learning Officer at Maiers Education Services, a company emphasizing the creative use of technology and social media to advance learning; in and out of the classroom.
At the BrainSTEM unconference, there will be six timeslots for facilitated group discussions based on participant-determined topics.
Participants are invited – and strongly encouraged -- to propose and develop the session topic ideas in the weeks leading up to the event. Concepts and comments can be added to the BrainSTEM planning wiki.
Please refer to your conference confirmation letter for details on how to access the wiki page. Can’t find your letter? Contact brainstem[at]perimeterinstitute[dot]ca.
The BrainSTEM unconference is a by-invitation event. Perimeter Institute staff will be in contact with each participant to provide details on travel and accommodations. If you are a confirmed participant and have questions about your travel to Waterloo or your hotel arrangements, please contact brainstem[at]perimeterinstitute[dot]ca.
It's not your average hack-a-thon. The BrainSTEM Build-a-thon is a chance to compete for $25,000! The competition will take place at Perimeter Institute in Waterloo and is open to 8 teams of 2-4 university and college undergrad/ grad students who will have 48 hours to execute on a digital media product in the form of a:
- Game
- Video
- App
The final product must be viewable on the web, and at the end of the 48 hours, the teams must be able to demo the product to a panel of judges. The judging panel will select the best projects and determine which teams will receive:
- First Prize of $25,000
- Second Prize of $15,000
- Third Prize of $5,000
Schedule:
Move in, set-up and information session at Perimeter Institute: Sunday, June 24, 1-4 pm
Competition begins: Monday, June 25, 8 am
Competition ends: Wednesday, June 27, 8 am
Demo sessions and judging: Wednesday, June 27, 11 am-12:30 pm
Awards presented: Wednesday, June 27, 1-2 pm
For more information about the BrainSTEM unconference, please contact brainstem[at]perimeterinstitute[dot]ca.
©2012 Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
