NAWI will hold its 48^th annual conference in partnership with the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI ) on Tuesday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 22, at the Omni Severin Hotel in Indianapolis.The National Association for Workforce Improvement (NAWI) will hold its 48^th annual conference in partnership with the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI ) on Tuesday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 22, at the Omni Severin Hotel in Indianapolis.

This year’s conference theme is: Engaging Minds for 21st Century Learning and Innovation: STEM Education in an E-Blended World.

NAWI is a leader in convening secondary and postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) practitioners to discuss current key education and training topics in "STEM/STEAM" and innovation education.

Key conference topics include:

• MOOCs and OERs (Massive Open Online Courses and Open Educational Resources)
• STEAM: Bridging Art and the Sciences in the 21st Century
• Problem-Based and Experiential Learning
• Developing the Next Generation of Makers
• Growing Innovation Entrepreneurs
• Innovative Ways to Fund STEM Education

Keynote speakers include:

• Gov. Mike Pence, Indiana
• David Russomanno, Dean, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI
• Darrell Bailey, Professor, Department of Music and Arts Technology, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI
• Glenda Ritz, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, Indiana Department of Education
• Ann Higdon, Founder, Improved Solutions for Urban Systems (ISUS)
• Carol D’Amico, former Assistant Secretary of OVAE and Vice President of Project Lead the Way, who will moderate a distinguished panel from Vincennes University, Toyota, and Worcester Technical High School.

NEBHE's PBL Projects Presentation

NEBHE's authentic, industry-based “Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Challenges” are being incorporated into secondary and postsecondary STEM courses to enhance students’ content knowledge, critical thinking skills, and ability to work in teams. Attendees will be introduced to the web-based multimedia “PBL Challenges” (case studies) in the fields of sustainable technologies and optics and photonics, and will learn how to implement the Challenges and assess student learning. Attendees will receive instructional materials to take back to the classroom.

To register for the conference, please click here.

Nicole Schepker is project coordinator for Problem Based Learning Projects at NEBHE.