STEM SMART - The Sign of Thinks to Come

"To make a big impact, you must take a big risk." - Salim Ismail

 

Today I was blown away. Not by the stormy weather Sarasota is having today, but by the astounding facts and knowledge Salim Ismail made during the Gulf Coast Community Foundation's Better Together luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton. 

The invitation mentioned it would be "mind-expanding." I couldn't agree more. 

You can't venture into a good magazine, newspaper or online news journal without finding information about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

There was so much to takeaway from today's presentation, but I've chosen a few "mind-expanders" that I wanted to share with you.

"Mind- Expanders"

- In 2011, at Singularity University, they received 2,200 applications from 109 countries for their student graduate program. (A 10-week interdisciplinary program for top students and entrepreneurial leaders worldwide, aimed at solving some of our most pressing challenges) After more than 300 hours of lectures from 160 different professors, students are sent out on their own project. Would you like to know the guidelines? 

• 3 weeks
• Effect a billion people in 10 years 
• Global Issue

If I would have received those requirements - I would have probably said, "Sayonara!"

- One of the brilliant ideas that came from these students was Matternet. Matternet is a roadless production of carrying goods from one place to another via electric planes in Africa...check this video out.

- As if that wasn't enough awesomeness for a speech, how about a car that has driven 200,000 miles without any accidents?! Oh...and let me add one thing, no one is driving it either. It's called the Google Car*. And the state of Nevada has just made them legal on the road. (Woah...)

- Other Cool facts: 

• Did you know Algae can produce 10,000 gallons of fuel?
• 80% of Apples revenue comes from products that weren't around 5-years-ago.
• We have no idea why we sleep for 1/3 of our lives. 

What Next?

The core question on everyone's minds is: How to engage the next generation in science, technology, engineering and math. Easy. Give them the tools, let the creativity flourish in the classroom and watch the results.

Take Stock in Children is partnering with STEM and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation on something BIG. Announcement is soon to follow.

Salim Ismail's Bio:

Salim Ismail is a sought-after speaker, strategist and entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley. He travels extensively addressing topics including breakthrough technologies and their impact on a variety of industries.

Salim spent the last three years building Singularity University as its founding Executive Director and current Global Ambassador.  SU is based at NASA Ames and is training a new generation of leaders to manage exponentially growing technologies. Before that he built and ran Brickhouse, Yahoo’s internal incubator. His last company, Angstro, was sold to Google in August 2010. He has founded or operated seven early-stage companies including PubSub Concepts, which laid some of the foundation for the real-time web.  Salim also serves on the board of Breakthrough, a global human rights organization.

* Foul Language, please advise. 

- Dana Bakich
@TSIChildrenSRQ
@dbakich17

Article from the Herald Tribune

Our Contract Signing touched our hearts. And now Sarasota can read about it too. :)

2/7/12 TSIC Herald Tribune Article

2011-2012 Contract Signing

What a wonderful and moving evening!

It was great to see all of our incoming students accepting their responsibility of maintaining a 2.5 GPA, staying crime and drug free and meeting with their assigned mentor weekly. 

I believe one highlight of the night was seeing the emotion on T.J. Mill's family as Lisa Bechtold, Take Stock in Children executive director announced all 14 of our Emma E. Booker students would be receiving the T.J. Mills Memorial Scholarship. The testimonies from T.J.'s mentor, Eric Dunn and childhood friend, Terrance Gillam brought tears to many eyes.

Another TSIC first was the tradition of signing a class pledge. After the students received their certificates, they all agreed to sign a pledge in honor of the three main principles of Take Stock in Children. This pledge will be hung in the TSIC office and presented again at Celebration of Hope when the students graduate from high school.

View 2011-2012 Contract Signing Photos

Flash Mob Continues...

Do you remember our Flash Mob in August at the Van Wezel Friday Fest?

It has done more brand awareness for Take Stock then we could have ever imagined! 

Check out the series of events since:

1. TSIC was asked by the Cat Depot to perform at their event in October. (Unfortunately we were just too busy at that time to participate)

2. In December, TSIC joined the Observer and performed our Flash Mob with numerous students and supporters at the Sarasota Christmas Parade.

3. Just this past month, I received a phone call from the Non-Profit Times in New Jersey about our Flash Mob!!

4. AND now we've been asked to do our Flash Mob for a wedding on Anna Maria Island in June. (Thoughts!?)

WOW!

* To join us for our next flash mob, please click HERE.

A little bit of wine and go-karts?

Last night, Take Stock doubled up on South and North county events!

Stephanie and I headed out to Livingston's Amusement Center for our Mentor & Mentee Mixer. 

The evening started with some fun "get-to-know-you" games that quickly caused an abundance of laughter between the students and mentors. After the students received their game cards - they were off! The boys ran right to the Go-Kart line and had a blast competing against their mentors. I had the privilege of attempting DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) with Le'Asia McNeal. 

During our raffle drawing we gave away a $50 gift certificate to A. Parker's Books! Thank you A. Parker's Books for instilling the need to read in our youth.

I loved seeing the interaction between the mentors and mentees. We are so thankful for our mentors! Stay tuned for our next event. :) 

Down in Venice, Lisa and Candice made their way to La Dolce Vita. This fabulous wine bar was kind enough to host a wine tasting for TSIC supporters. South Sarasota is often a place we neglect so it was great to have a presence there. Thank you to our Venice crew! We will see you all again soon.


- Dana Bakich

Follow me @TSIChildrenSRQ

dana@takestocksarasota.org

CAR TAGGING WINNERS

We love the creativity that everyone put into our CAR TAGGING CONTEST. Our Top 3 winners are:

1st Place: Isaiah Muhammad - We really liked the originality and extra effort with the clown on top! Great Job!

 2nd Place: Kevin Angell - Mentor on Board! Ah, this was awesome! We love seeing our mentors so proud of what they do with TSIC.

3rd Place: Candice McLeod - We're all about stepping up the social media presence. This was a great car to spread awareness into the community! 

Thank you to our sponsors! 

Cruizers Express Car Wash

Stardust 

Walmart

It's About Time We Posted!

Since it's still January, it's still OK to say, "Happy New Year!"

TSIC has been moving full force into the New Year and can't wait to share all of our exciting events with YOU!  Make sure to follow our Facebook page and tune into the emails that stroll into your inbox. They have very timely and important information. 

This lovely Monday morning, the TSIC team will be selecting our Car Tagging Contest Winner. Check out these two great entries!

Check in later to see who won!