Prestigious International Lectures at Florida Tech July 6 through ISU-Space Studies Program
MELBOURNE, FLA.—International Space University/ Space Studies Program (ISU-SSP12) participants and the general public will have the opportunity to attend a freeTEDx Event July 6 from 9 a.m.-noonat the Gleason Performing Arts Center on the Florida Institute of Technology campus.
During TEDxISU, leaders from the space community will address how the power of ideas in technology, entertainment and design influences and inspires their work in space.The audience will comprise leaders from the space industry, participants of the ISU/SSP12 session, personnel from NASA and local space industry companies, and the general public.
The event’s focus is on how space studies and accomplishments make life better here on Earth. This will be the first joint TEDx event for ISU, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech.
The invited speakers are: Peter Diamandis (ISU co-founder), on “Abundance;” ISU alumni Michael Potter on “Geeks without Frontiers and “80211s for Africa” and Brian Rishikof on “iPhones in Space;” as well as NASA Astronaut Col. Ron Garan on “Fragile Oasis.” Also scheduled are musician Davy Knowles and Gia performance art.
TED (Technology,Entertainment andDesign) began in 1984 as a non-profit organization. The objective is to bring together people and ideas from technology,entertainment, anddesign. TED holds annual conferences in Long Beach, Palm Springs and Edinburgh U.K. each summer and offers the award-winning TEDTalks video site, Open Translation Project, TED Conversations, TED Fellows, TEDx programs and the annual TED Prize.
TheTEDxprogram provides the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. TEDx events are planned and coordinated independently.
“We at Florida Tech and the Kennedy Space Center are thrilled to host TEDx talks to inspire a new generation of space pioneers,” said University Professor Guy Boy, director of the Florida Tech Human Centered Design Institute and chair of the ISU-SSP12 Florida Tech-KSC local organizing committee.
Angie Bukley, ISU Dean and SSP Director notes, “ISU will celebrate its 25thAnniversary in April and the SSP12 session on the Space Coast is the 25thto convene. We are excited to have this unique opportunity to host the TEDxISU event, which will significantly enhance our academic program and be the highlight of the ISU Alumni Conference, which will also be in progress.”
The SSP 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. About 130 students are expected for ISU/SSP12, hosted by Florida Tech and NASA Kennedy Space Center, from June 4to August 3. For more information, visit www.isunet.edu.
Additionally, the Florida Tech hosting organization is seeking sponsorships to help underwrite the costs of bringing TEDx to campus. To support this effort, and for more information, contact Delilah Caballero at dcaballe@fit.edu.
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.
