Introducing NovaNow

color small 3This past winter I had the privilege to attend and lead a conversation at Educon at Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. As I assume everyone already knows, it is a wonderful conference full of deep conversations with wonderful educators from around the U.S. and Canada. It absolutely met my high expectations and it was great to meet so many online friends face-to-face for the first time.

2012-03-26 07.19.18I teach at Kent Innovation High, a New Tech Network Problem Based Learning High School that is similar in philosophy to SLA. We have decided that Educon is too rich of an experience to be limited to the East Coast. A parent and a student that went with me to Educon met with Chris Lehmann and Diana Laufenberg about modeling a conference after Educon at our school. They were very gracious and generous in sharing with us how they set up and run Educon.

So without further adieu we are excited to introduce NovaNow, the Time to Innovate is Now! September 27-28, 2013 at Kent Innovation High in Grand Rapids, Michigan. NovaNow is a conference for educators of all kinds to share their best ideas, plans, and dreams about learning. It is also a place where thoughtful questioning and critiques are encouraged. Presentations are not given, but rather conversations are led around learning.

Photo Credit: A Deeper Blue via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: A Deeper Blue via Compfight cc

Located in the Midwest between Chicago and Detroit, this conference will coincide with the world class public art show ArtPrize, named one of the five festivals in the world that you won’t want to miss by Time Magazine. So stay Saturday night and enjoy the outdoor art on Sunday.

Check out the conference site to register or even better yet put in a submission to lead a conversation.  Follow #NovaNow on Twitter to hear more news about the conference. We look forward to you joining us this fall!

3 thoughts on “Introducing NovaNow

  1. Michael Kaechele

    It has some similarities to an edcamp, but is also different. An important part of NovaNow will be touring our inquiry based, PBL school and interacting with our students. It is an opportunity to see this pedagogy in action. There will also be student panels to hear from them.

    The format is more conversational rather than presentations by “experts.” There really is no keynote, just intense conversations. Instead of “sit and git” you may find yourself in small group conversations with them in sessions or in the hallways. The format also is planned ahead of time with submissions for the conversations. The concept is conversations with some of the leading educational thinkers in the Midwest and beyond!

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