Industry Supports Innovate-Educate

Blackboard, Cisco, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Qwest among the many endorsing inaugural event

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (April 22, 2009) – Technology industry leaders from across the United States will join forces next week to support innovation and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in New Mexico at Innovate-Educate New Mexico (IENM) Conference 2009 scheduled April 30 through May 2 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Representatives from nearly 20 of the county’s top IT companies have joined the IENM Board of Directors to provide a statewide vision for preparing New Mexico students to compete in today’s global economy. These companies also will partner with other education visionaries from across the state to provide a framework for the future. Next week’s conference is the first major step in the work to advance education in New Mexico by helping to build a motivated and prepared workforce.

Jessie Woolley-Wilson, president of K-12 education for Blackboard, Inc, will provide the keynote during the N.M. Public Education Ed Tech Bureau portion of the conference on April 30. She also is scheduled to speak during IENM Conference 2009.

“Today’s students have to be prepared for jobs and industries that don’t even exist yet, and they must continually refresh and update their skills as the global context changes,” explains Woolley-Wilson. “These are very real challenges, but fortunately we have real solutions with which to address them, To that end, Blackboard is pleased to be partnered with IENM in an effort to find ways to increase educational opportunity and engagement to help accelerate the adoption of 21st century skills for learners at all levels.”

Pete Cevenini, K-12 Education Lead for Cisco System’s U.S. Public Sector, notes the critical importance of STEM education and students being prepared for the future workforce. “With the increased competition from every part of the globe, New Mexico is working to provide New Mexico students with the key skills that will keep them competitive,” says Cevenini. “Cisco is proud to be a partner in this movement.”

Dr. Chris Dede of Harvard University and one of the nation’s foremost experts in innovative learning technologies will participate in The Great Debate during the second day of the conference on May 1. Dr. Dede, along with other national leaders, will debate “presidential style” as to what must happen to transform education in both New Mexico and in the U.S. “This is a time when states have exciting opportunities for transformational use of new technologies to improve students’ educational outcomes,” states Dede. “This conference will provide an exciting focus for innovations that enhance curriculum, instruction, assessment, and community involvement in learning.”

Microsoft Corporation also has signed on as an organizational partner and remains committed to partnering with New Mexico to help young people develop the science and technology skills that will facilitate their full participation in the U.S. workforce. Carla Faini, K-12 Academic Programs Manager at Microsoft says, “Students that graduate from high school and college with strong skills in these fields will play a key role in helping businesses innovate and drive out of this difficult economic environment.”

Organizers are expecting nearly 600 in attendance. IENM Conference 2009 will provide three days of dynamic collaboration that includes both keynote addresses and panel discussions by leading local and national experts. Participants also will have the opportunity to network and visit exhibits displaying programs that students across New Mexico are working on now to prepare themselves for the future.

Focus areas include higher education; K-12 educators and leadership; industry, technology leaders and chambers of commerce; government officials; economic development leaders; and state/national legislators. The last day also features the eighth annual RoboRAVE Robotics Competition.

Space is limited, and the event is nearly at capacity.