Economist Summit on Innovation shares new ideas

EarthSky’s Director of Business Development Lauren Ward presented new ideas on how the science community can create a louder “voice” and greater impact at a recent Economist Summit on Innovation (“Fresh Thinking for the Ideas Economy”) held March 23-24 in Berkeley.

Conference attendees were asked to bring forth issues of interest to the community – to brainstorm solutions, and ultimately develop an Economist magazine cover for a future date. Teams led by esteemed professors in various fields tackled energy, global interdependence, the workplace, and the financial markets. EarthSky’s team led by Ward – which had proposed a session on educating the future scientists and engineers of tomorrow – was selected to present their final cover to the conference.

The EarthSky brainstorm solution was entitled “Knowledge Rains Down: Ending the Drought” and included the development of a PC-based learning system for global science and math education augmented by project-based learning with scientists and teachers as coaches, financed by unique systems including “a mutual fund for minds.”

The EarthSky Promise: To bring the ideas, strategies and research results of scientists to people around the world, with the goal of illuminating pathways to a sustainable future.