Barely more than a week after business-to-business information company 1105 Media Inc. of Chatsworth, Calif., announced that it had acquired Florida Educational Technology Corp.--the long-time producer of the annual Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC)--this year's FETC kicked off at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Jan. 24.

Despite the announced change in ownership, it was business as usual for the teachers, administrators, and ed-tech experts who attended this year's conference. FETC 2007 featured eight keynote speeches; more than 200 concurrent sessions demonstrating how ed-tech applications and best practices can be used in the classroom; and an exhibit hall showcasing the products of more than 400 companies.

Though FETC's change in ownership might not have registered with attendees, the theme of change itself--changing the world, changing technologies, and changing expectations for today's students--resonated throughout the three-day event.

Science Guy to educators: 'Change the world'

FETC 2007 began with an ambitious challenge from keynote speaker Bill Nye to conference participants: "Change the world."

Best known for his work on the television program Bill Nye the Science Guy, which earned him seven Emmy Awards, Nye also has written four books. He is the host of two currently running television series: The 100 Greatest Discoveries, which airs on the Science Channel, and The Eyes of Nye, which airs on PBS stations.

"The next decade is going to change the world, and we're all going to be here for it," Nye said, addressing the audience in his trademark blazer and bowtie.

Nye discussed how his father's fascination with sundials inspired his own interest in how science affects everyday phenomena, then linked his personal interests and experiences with FETC's mission--to promote educational technology.

Calling the essence of science "the joy of discovery," Nye discussed recent discoveries on the planet Mars and related them to today's science education. He also discussed the issue of global warming and the fact that some influential political activists and others in leadership roles do not believe it to be a problem.

"We are facing a serious business here on Earth; we are facing a very serious future unless we get on it," he warned. "This is where we, as educators, must change the world."

President Bush's American Competitive-ness Initiative, designed to increase the number of scientists, technical workers, and qualified math and science teachers in the United States, should be a motivation to educators, Nye said.

He described several scientific problems and their potential solutions, emphasizing that through education, the nation's students might come up with the answers to some of today's most pressing questions.

"One hundred years ago we were riding horses to work, but now we've changed and we have cars," he said. "In another hundred years we can change again, and that is up to us as educators, to make our students realize that [science] is a worthy pursuit."