Innovation Generation program inspires kids to explore the world of innovation and technology creating next generation of engineers, scientists, and mathematicians
´Cool´ interactive community for kids, their parents, and teachers
´Cool´ interactive community for kids, their parents, and teachers
Primary Topic Channel: Company News
San Francisco, August 7 -- Featuring kids, interactive games, cartoon characters like Pete the three-eyed monster, and animated graphics, the Innovation Generation? (http://www.igenstudio.com/) program is a fun and exciting community for children to explore their curiosity, experience the effect of innovation and create new and exciting ideas. Interactive content within a safe online environment makes Innovation Generation the place to ignite a child´s passion for discovery and learning. By creating a shared experience for kids, their parents, and teachers centered on these subject areas, Innovation Generation encourages and launches the next-generation of engineers, scientists, and mathematicians.
Technology is fueling today´s global economy and there is increasing competition in engineering and science-dependent industries once dominated by the United States, which has dropped to seventh place according to the World Economic Forum report (March 2007). Geoffrey C. Orsak http://www.smu.edu/leadership/orsak.asp dean of the Southern Methodist University School of Engineering and the founder of The Infinity Project and Visioneering that reaches millions of students across the United States with innovative math and science based engineering curricula and educational experiences, said, "The most prized of all modern skills, innovation, has sadly been left out of our national debate on math and science education reform.
However, we have seen first-hand that kids of all ages can learn to be innovators if they are provided with the best tools and the opportunity. I am excited about the impact of innovation generation on lighting the fire of creativity in our next generation."
Ray Almgren http://www.ni.com/company/almgren.htm, vice president of product marketing and academic relations of National Instruments, who has devoted significant effort to enhancing science and engineering education and inspiring students to pursue technical careers, said, "The development of future engineers is critical to National Instruments, which is why we focus our time and resources on innovative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education initiatives. Innovation Generation is a strategic program offering a web-based tool that will excite and inspire kids to use science, math and engineering to change the world. By preparing today´s students for tomorrow´s challenges, we are laying the foundation to ensure they will achieve their full potential in whatever goals they aspire to."
"Innovation Generation was specifically created to address these critical issues, by connecting children to the world of technology, encouraging discovery and ultimately closing the gap between the demand for innovative technologists and the number of students receiving degrees in science, technology, electronics and math," said Paul Miller, executive director, Innovation Generation. "For example, our program features video interviews with real world innovators who share the creation, development and implementation of their special ideas and encourage viewers to start their own unique innovation journey. In a fun interactive environment, the site will build a social community that reinforces that math and science are cool, educating kids to become the Innovation Generation."
Matt, age 9, explored the site and says, "This is a great site. I can spend hours reading about all the famous innovators, playing the games and testing my knowledge. I never knew it could be so much fun to learn about technology, science and math. I don´t know what I want to be when I grow up - but it´s cool to see all of the possibilities. I am excited to be part of the innovation generation."
Katherine, age 12, thinks, "Innovation Generation is fantastic. It turns real science into fun. It´s helped me understand some incredible things about science. I especially love the fun, crazy games that involve carnivals, catapults, and although you hardly realize it, physics."
Highlights of Innovation Generation include:
- Explore Your World - a virtual city that depicts and demonstrates how science, technology and math are involved in all aspects of everyday life
- Flex Your Innovation Muscle - dozens of web-based games enabling kids to learn about science, technology, electronics and math
- Change the World Bulletin Board - a virtual bulletin board with the Top 10 ideas that will change the world; winning ideas move to the ´Let´s Build It´ challenge arena
Innovation Generation is currently available, in beta, at http://www.igenstudio.com/ and will be officially available in November 2007 through an annual subscription.
Technology is fueling today´s global economy and there is increasing competition in engineering and science-dependent industries once dominated by the United States, which has dropped to seventh place according to the World Economic Forum report (March 2007). Geoffrey C. Orsak http://www.smu.edu/leadership/orsak.asp dean of the Southern Methodist University School of Engineering and the founder of The Infinity Project and Visioneering that reaches millions of students across the United States with innovative math and science based engineering curricula and educational experiences, said, "The most prized of all modern skills, innovation, has sadly been left out of our national debate on math and science education reform.
However, we have seen first-hand that kids of all ages can learn to be innovators if they are provided with the best tools and the opportunity. I am excited about the impact of innovation generation on lighting the fire of creativity in our next generation."
Ray Almgren http://www.ni.com/company/almgren.htm, vice president of product marketing and academic relations of National Instruments, who has devoted significant effort to enhancing science and engineering education and inspiring students to pursue technical careers, said, "The development of future engineers is critical to National Instruments, which is why we focus our time and resources on innovative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education initiatives. Innovation Generation is a strategic program offering a web-based tool that will excite and inspire kids to use science, math and engineering to change the world. By preparing today´s students for tomorrow´s challenges, we are laying the foundation to ensure they will achieve their full potential in whatever goals they aspire to."
"Innovation Generation was specifically created to address these critical issues, by connecting children to the world of technology, encouraging discovery and ultimately closing the gap between the demand for innovative technologists and the number of students receiving degrees in science, technology, electronics and math," said Paul Miller, executive director, Innovation Generation. "For example, our program features video interviews with real world innovators who share the creation, development and implementation of their special ideas and encourage viewers to start their own unique innovation journey. In a fun interactive environment, the site will build a social community that reinforces that math and science are cool, educating kids to become the Innovation Generation."
Matt, age 9, explored the site and says, "This is a great site. I can spend hours reading about all the famous innovators, playing the games and testing my knowledge. I never knew it could be so much fun to learn about technology, science and math. I don´t know what I want to be when I grow up - but it´s cool to see all of the possibilities. I am excited to be part of the innovation generation."
Katherine, age 12, thinks, "Innovation Generation is fantastic. It turns real science into fun. It´s helped me understand some incredible things about science. I especially love the fun, crazy games that involve carnivals, catapults, and although you hardly realize it, physics."
Highlights of Innovation Generation include:
- Explore Your World - a virtual city that depicts and demonstrates how science, technology and math are involved in all aspects of everyday life
- Flex Your Innovation Muscle - dozens of web-based games enabling kids to learn about science, technology, electronics and math
- Change the World Bulletin Board - a virtual bulletin board with the Top 10 ideas that will change the world; winning ideas move to the ´Let´s Build It´ challenge arena
Innovation Generation is currently available, in beta, at http://www.igenstudio.com/ and will be officially available in November 2007 through an annual subscription.
Quick Links
Educator Resource Centers
Visit the following special content centers, and discover how technology is helping educators every day.
Placing Reading Power in Students' Hands
All students deserve an equal education, but sometimes language barriers or learning disabilities leave some students lagging behind and struggling to understand words or concepts.
Securing Student Laptops for Safe Learning
New software makes it possible for companies to activate web-based communication with laptops, tracking their position and having them returned if they are stolen.
Stimulating Achievement: Your Guide to Ed Funding
Learn how to make wise spending decisions and keep track of school needs as stimulus funds become available.
Meeting the Needs of Students with Autism
It's estimated that one out of every 150 children in the United States has some form of autism, and that number is escalating at a frightening pace.
Preparing for a Pandemic
With fears about the H1N1 virus, commonly known as "swine flu," putting school leaders on high alert, we've compiled this collection of news stories and additional resources to keep you up to date on the latest developments in this critical story--and to help you deal with the crisis in your own schools.
Igniting and Sustaining STEM Education
As the workplace changes and becomes increasingly global, today's students must be educated with a 21st-century mindset.
Measuring 21st-century skills
Graduates who enter the workplace with a solid grasp of 21st-century skills bring value to both the workplace and global marketplace.
Successful Video Production
Knowing how to produce, edit, and distribute video gives high school and college graduates a valuable and much-in-demand skill.
Online Learning
Thousands of K-12 schools across the nation are turning to online-learning providers for help with credit recovery, enrichment opportunities for gifted students, and for providing core curriculum classes in areas where there isn't enough demand to justify keeping a teacher on staff.
21st Century Libraries
The internet has given students an incredibly vast world of up-to-the-minute resources, including nearly limitless outlets for research and investigation. But many students turn immediately to the untamed internet when faced with a research assignment, often overlooking the value in a virtual library solution.
Anytime, Anywhere Professional Development
When teachers are confident in the curriculum they teach, students will become more engaged in lessons and will learn more.
Visit the following special content centers, and discover how technology is helping educators every day.
Placing Reading Power in Students' Hands
All students deserve an equal education, but sometimes language barriers or learning disabilities leave some students lagging behind and struggling to understand words or concepts.
Securing Student Laptops for Safe Learning
New software makes it possible for companies to activate web-based communication with laptops, tracking their position and having them returned if they are stolen.
Stimulating Achievement: Your Guide to Ed Funding
Learn how to make wise spending decisions and keep track of school needs as stimulus funds become available.
Meeting the Needs of Students with Autism
It's estimated that one out of every 150 children in the United States has some form of autism, and that number is escalating at a frightening pace.
Preparing for a Pandemic
With fears about the H1N1 virus, commonly known as "swine flu," putting school leaders on high alert, we've compiled this collection of news stories and additional resources to keep you up to date on the latest developments in this critical story--and to help you deal with the crisis in your own schools.
Igniting and Sustaining STEM Education
As the workplace changes and becomes increasingly global, today's students must be educated with a 21st-century mindset.
Measuring 21st-century skills
Graduates who enter the workplace with a solid grasp of 21st-century skills bring value to both the workplace and global marketplace.
Successful Video Production
Knowing how to produce, edit, and distribute video gives high school and college graduates a valuable and much-in-demand skill.
Online Learning
Thousands of K-12 schools across the nation are turning to online-learning providers for help with credit recovery, enrichment opportunities for gifted students, and for providing core curriculum classes in areas where there isn't enough demand to justify keeping a teacher on staff.
21st Century Libraries
The internet has given students an incredibly vast world of up-to-the-minute resources, including nearly limitless outlets for research and investigation. But many students turn immediately to the untamed internet when faced with a research assignment, often overlooking the value in a virtual library solution.
Anytime, Anywhere Professional Development
When teachers are confident in the curriculum they teach, students will become more engaged in lessons and will learn more.
