Illinois recently adopted new education standards for math and science–the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards, respectively. These programs have been met with diverse political opposition,confusion, andhave hadmisinformation spread about them. What do these new standards really say, and what do they mean for our students, communities and educators? Why were they created? Will they improve educationorare theyjust the next fad in a long series of programs from meddling government officials?

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Outreach.

That necessary component of funding, communicating what it is we as scientists are doing to bring attention (and more research dollars) to support our work, our labs…

Film and documentaries are the perfect medium, a chance to tell your particular story in precise detail and living color. Learn how this can be done, meet area film makers who have worked on prize-winning science films, hear from scientist/film maker teams about their collaborations, and meet- and- greet with film makers looking for scientists to collaborate with on future projects.

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The Future of Work: How Technology Will Change the Way We Work

Technology has dramatically changed the way we work: it automates processes, collects and organizes our information, and offers new lines for global communication. It both opens new industries and shutters traditional strongholds at an accelerating pace, and it continually redefines what it means to “work” in the world today. Advances in areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence have caused equal amounts of excitement and alarm. How will technology of the future continue affect our work? Will the pace of innovation continue to accelerate?

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