TEDxISU, Gathering of International Speakers Event, Is Free to Public, July 6
Lectures a Highlight of International Space University
MELBOURNE, FLA—“We are thrilled that TEDx has come here to offer what is probably the greatest gathering of international speakers for a single event that we have ever held on campus,” said Guy Boy, Florida Tech university professor and site chair of the International Space University-Space Studies Program (ISU-SSP12) Florida Tech-KSC local organizing committee. “And there is no cost to the public,” he added.
Boy speaks of TEDxISU, which occurs July 6, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Leaders from the space community will address, through lectures, video and music, how the power of ideas in technology, entertainment and design influences and inspires their work in space. The lectures will take place in the Gleason Performing Arts Center on the Florida Institute of Technology campus.
TEDxISU is organized by Chris Stott, chairman and CEO, ManSat LLC. Stott is also a TED and ISU alumnus.
The independently organized event, licensed by TED, will focus on how space studies and accomplishments make life better on Earth. Attendance is free, but registration is important because of seating limitations. Register at http://research.fit.edu/hcdi/tedxisu.php
Invited speakers include: ISU co-founder Peter Diamandis, on “Abundance;” ISU alumni Michael Potter on his work with Google on Open Source “89211s in Rwanda;” Tom Painter of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory on new research on glaciations and climate change; Michael Simpson and Cynda Arsenault on the work of the Secure World Foundation; Brian Rishikof on “iPhones in Space;” as well as NASA Astronaut Col. Ron Garan on Open Source at NASA. Also scheduled are musician Davy Knowles and Sarah Jane Pell on her work in underwater ballet performance. Diamandis will sign his book, Abundance, from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m. in the university book store on campus.
PHOTO: Peter Diamandis
The ISU Space Studies Program offers participants a unique and comprehensive education covering all aspects of space programs and enterprises, including space physical sciences, space systems engineering, policy and law, business and management, space and society, satellite applications, and space life sciences and human spaceflight.
TEDx is a remarkable initiative bringing together outstanding people with different visions in one event, said Walter Peeters, ISU president. “Bringing TEDx to Florida was made possible by the strong involvement of ISU alumni. It is a demonstration of how an ISU SSP can enhance public interest in space activities in synergy with the local SSP organizations to the benefit of all involved,” he added./
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place each spring in Long Beach, California, along with the TEDActive simulcast in Palm Springs; the annual TEDGlobal conference is held each summer in Edinburgh, Scotland.
TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, the recently launched TED-Ed platform for students and educators, the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide, and TEDBooks, short e-books by speakers that elaborate on a single idea originally presented on TED’s stage. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world, and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities. Follow TED on Twitter or on Facebook.
About International Space University
Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Strasbourg, France, ISU is the world’s leading international space education institution. It is supported by the world’s leading space agencies and aerospace organizations. All ISU programs are taught at the graduate level and are dedicated to promoting international, interdisciplinary and intercultural cooperation in space activities. Over the past 24 years the legendary nine-week Space Studies Program has convened in different host cities around the world. ISU also offers two master’s programs (M.Sc. in Space Studies and M.Sc. in Space Management) as well as an Executive MBA and executive programs. ISU programs are taught by over 100 full- and part-time faculty and invited industry experts from throughout the world.
