On October 29, some of this city’s most innovative teachers, teaching artists, cultural specialists, and arts and cultural education program providers will come together to talk, listen and learn about the benefits of progressive and forward thinking teaching platforms and techniques. This year’s conference revolves around the learning concepts of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) programming. The presentations will demonstrate how the integration of the arts into STEAM can benefit students, and help them to prepare for the diverse fields that are available to them.
The 8th Annual Patricia Cotsen Arts Abilities Conference is being hosted by Young Audiences of Western New York in tandem with Arts Partners for Learning. By bringing together some of the city’s best and brightest for the day, the intention is to show that collaborations between teaching institutions and cultural organizations can benefit both the teachers and the students, especially when utilizing esteemed educational platforms and best practices.
“These year we are featuring local innovators in education, art and business,” said Cynnie Gaasch, Executive Director, Young Audiences of Western New York. “We also get a sneak preview of the Library’s new “Milestones of Science Exhibit.” Folks also have the opportunity to learn about the Downtown Library’s maker space – The Launch Pad. They have tools to utilize in video, sound recording, and gaming. Annually, this conference explores what the arts can do for young people, especially those with special needs or have other issues that put them at risk of not being successful with traditional education. The whole conference takes place in spaces in the Library. We love bringing educators from all over western New York to downtown Buffalo.”
Presenters include:
· Amelia Blake: Explore & More Children’s Museum
· Alex Fernandez: Yahoo! / STEAM Consultant, Interweb Consulting
· Kathryn J. Galvin: Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
· Melissa Kate: Young Audiences
· Kevin Kline: Squeaky Wheel
· Marissa C. Lehner: Young Audiences, Teaching Artist
· Aleks Malejs: Young Audiences, Teaching Artist
· Kelsey McCann: Explore & More Children’s Museum
· Jeremy Stock: Young Audiences, Teaching Artist
8thAnnual Patricia Cotsen Arts Abilities Conference
Full STEAM Ahead: Innovation in the Classroom and Community
WHERE: Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, 1 Lafayette Square, Downtown Buffalo
WHEN: Thursday October 29, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
REGISTRATION: Standard tickets will be $50, $30 for partners, and $20 for artists & students. Complimentary tickets are available for volunteers. To register online, click here.
Photo: Workshop presenter Joy Guarino, Associate Professor of Dance at Buffalo State College, presenting Building Community with a Kinesthetic Classroom at the 2014 Arts Abilities Conference.