Opening Keynote Speaker
Dr. Kenneth Lockette-Assistant Superintendent, Avonworth School District
Dr. Ken Lockette has worked in the field of education for over 20 years. He taught middle and high school English and drama for 10 years, including stints in Baltimore, Chicago, and six years in Kazakhstan. Over the last 15 years, Dr. Lockette has served as a site-based administrator, including nine years as principal of Avonworth High School in Pittsburgh, where he promoted and developed programming for the arts, college and career readiness, global education, human-centered design, making, and technology integration. Dr. Lockette created Avonworth High School's Pittsburgh Galleries Project, which won the Pittsburgh Technology Council's CreateFest Award for educational technology in 2015. The Galleries Project was also featured in a session at SXSWedu the same year. Dr. Lockette was named as assistant superintendent of the Avonworth School District in 2015 and is an active member of the Remake Learning Network and a representative for Avonworth in the Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools. He also led Avonworth High School in being named as a P21 (Partnership for 21st Learning) Exemplar School in 2015.
Dr. Ken Lockette has worked in the field of education for over 20 years. He taught middle and high school English and drama for 10 years, including stints in Baltimore, Chicago, and six years in Kazakhstan. Over the last 15 years, Dr. Lockette has served as a site-based administrator, including nine years as principal of Avonworth High School in Pittsburgh, where he promoted and developed programming for the arts, college and career readiness, global education, human-centered design, making, and technology integration. Dr. Lockette created Avonworth High School's Pittsburgh Galleries Project, which won the Pittsburgh Technology Council's CreateFest Award for educational technology in 2015. The Galleries Project was also featured in a session at SXSWedu the same year. Dr. Lockette was named as assistant superintendent of the Avonworth School District in 2015 and is an active member of the Remake Learning Network and a representative for Avonworth in the Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools. He also led Avonworth High School in being named as a P21 (Partnership for 21st Learning) Exemplar School in 2015.
Ending Keynote Speaker
Dan Kuniak-Master Illusionist and Mind Reader
Dan Kuniak is a professional entertainer and owner of The Spellbound Group, which creates amazing entertainment and motivational programs for schools and businesses. His performances include state-of-the-art illusion technology combined with audience participation and comedy. Dan's shows are customized to each event. For the STEAM Forward Learning conference, Dan will explain the science and technology of his magic, perform magic tricks to keep our audience entertained, and give educators new ideas on how to creatively think about ways to incorporate science, art, technology, and magic into the classroom. This highly interactive performance will both entertain and educate.
Dan Kuniak is a professional entertainer and owner of The Spellbound Group, which creates amazing entertainment and motivational programs for schools and businesses. His performances include state-of-the-art illusion technology combined with audience participation and comedy. Dan's shows are customized to each event. For the STEAM Forward Learning conference, Dan will explain the science and technology of his magic, perform magic tricks to keep our audience entertained, and give educators new ideas on how to creatively think about ways to incorporate science, art, technology, and magic into the classroom. This highly interactive performance will both entertain and educate.
Invited Speaker
Mr. Aaron Sams-Educator, Speaker, Consultant, Author
Mr. Aaron Sams has been an educator since 2000. He operates the education consulting firm Sams Learning Designs, is an Adjunct Professor at Saint Vincent College, and serves as an advisor to TED-Ed. In 2009 he was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching while teaching Chemistry in Woodland Park, CO and serving as co-chair of the Colorado State Science Standards Revision Committee. Aaron has co-authored seven books on the Flipped Classroom concept. Aaron is an internationally recognized education keynote speaker and has trained thousands of teachers, administrators, and professors to integrate new technology with sound pedagogy. With experience in public, private, and home schools, in both face-to-face, online, and blended learning environments, Aaron brings a unique educational perspective to any audience. He is a lifelong learner, reader, maker, and explorer. He holds both a B.S. in Biochemistry and an M.A.Ed. from Biola University.
Mr. Aaron Sams has been an educator since 2000. He operates the education consulting firm Sams Learning Designs, is an Adjunct Professor at Saint Vincent College, and serves as an advisor to TED-Ed. In 2009 he was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching while teaching Chemistry in Woodland Park, CO and serving as co-chair of the Colorado State Science Standards Revision Committee. Aaron has co-authored seven books on the Flipped Classroom concept. Aaron is an internationally recognized education keynote speaker and has trained thousands of teachers, administrators, and professors to integrate new technology with sound pedagogy. With experience in public, private, and home schools, in both face-to-face, online, and blended learning environments, Aaron brings a unique educational perspective to any audience. He is a lifelong learner, reader, maker, and explorer. He holds both a B.S. in Biochemistry and an M.A.Ed. from Biola University.
Invited Speaker
Mr. Jeremy Boyle-Assistant Professor of Learning, Media and Design
As the new resident faculty member of the Fred Rogers Center at St. Vincent College, Jeremy Boyle brings his experience as co-founder and co-director of Children’s Innovation Project to explore how the work of Fred Rogers might help us to better understand the role of technology and media in young children’s learning. Jeremy’s joint appointment as Assistant Professor of Learning, Media and Design with the Department of Visual Arts allows him to explore interdisciplinary opportunities for students, connecting experiences between the Center and the college. In addition to his professional work in education, Jeremy is an artist and musician. He is a current and founding member of the Chicago group Joan of Arc, who recently returned from a tour of Japan and completed the recording of a forthcoming album on the Joyful Noise label. As an artist, he has shown technology based artwork in galleries in major cities across the United States. Jeremy received his BFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and MFA in sculpture from The Ohio State University.
As the new resident faculty member of the Fred Rogers Center at St. Vincent College, Jeremy Boyle brings his experience as co-founder and co-director of Children’s Innovation Project to explore how the work of Fred Rogers might help us to better understand the role of technology and media in young children’s learning. Jeremy’s joint appointment as Assistant Professor of Learning, Media and Design with the Department of Visual Arts allows him to explore interdisciplinary opportunities for students, connecting experiences between the Center and the college. In addition to his professional work in education, Jeremy is an artist and musician. He is a current and founding member of the Chicago group Joan of Arc, who recently returned from a tour of Japan and completed the recording of a forthcoming album on the Joyful Noise label. As an artist, he has shown technology based artwork in galleries in major cities across the United States. Jeremy received his BFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and MFA in sculpture from The Ohio State University.
