2021 Girls STEAM Institute Team Business Challenge
July 29-August 1, 2021
in AltspaceVR
Girls STEAM Institute is excited to announce the inaugural 2021Girls STEAM Institute VR Team Business Challenge in virtual reality!
As the pandemic unfortunately continues, we’ve decided to embrace emerging technology and host our annual GSI Team Business Challenge in virtual reality. With the help of Educators in VR and the Virtual World Society, we are bringing you a global version with teams from across the globe.
This year’s Team Business Challenge is extra special as we have four technology pioneers presenting during the 4-day event.
Thursday, Lorelle VanFossen, Director and Co-Founder of Educators in VR will be the keynote speaker to welcome participants, mentors, parents and family members, and the general public. She will be talking about careers in virtual reality and immersive industries.
Friday, Dr. Angelina Dayton, Co-Founder of Students in VR and known as The VR Lady, will present wise lessons for a career and future in emerging technology and STEAM. She is an Aspen Institute Tech Policy Fellow. Dr. Dayton’s work exemplifies the transformative potential of AI and VR in shaping future careers and educational experiences. She has deployed over 60,000 VR headsets to multiple schools, including to indigenous tribal schools, and trains teachers and students how to maximize immersive education.
After that, Ray Kurzweil and Dr. Tom Furness team up for a discussion on the lessons they’ve learned as pioneers in emerging technology. Ray Kurzweil is an American inventor, computer scientist, futurist, and author, renowned for his contributions to various fields, including optical character recognition (OCR), text-to-speech synthesis, speech recognition technology, and electronic keyboard instruments. Kurzweil has authored several influential books on artificial intelligence, transhumanism, and the technological singularity, positioning himself as a prominent advocate for the futurist and transhumanist movements.
Dr. Thomas A. Furness III, known as the “Grandfather of Virtual Reality,” is a pioneering figure with over 50 years of experience in VR/AR technology. As a Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington and founder of the Human Interface Technology Laboratory, he has made significant contributions to the field, complemented by his work in the U.S. Air Force on advanced cockpit technologies. An inventor and entrepreneur, Dr. Furness has co-founded numerous companies, holds multiple patents, and has received prestigious awards for his innovations. His commitment to using VR for social good is exemplified by his co-founding of the Virtual World Society, which aims to leverage VR technology for addressing global challenges in education, healthcare, and humanitarian efforts.
During the weekend events, the teams of girls will be meeting to work on their Business Challenge app or tech business idea to present on Sunday. Mentors will be available to assist them both online and in VR.
The 2021 GSI Team Business Challenge is free to attend and participate.
If you are a young girl leader, 13-18, who finds yourself passionate or curious about technology and how we can utilize it to lead the world down to a more sustainable future, this is the challenge for you.
If you are a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or guardian of an inspired young girl ages 13-18, and want to open her heart and mind to the potential of a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) career, sign her up!
Apply to tackle these issues among like-minded peers. Use our 2021 Girls STEAM Institute Team Business Challenge form to apply.
The deadline for applications to participate is due on July 2, 2022.
HOW TO ATTEND
There are multiple ways to attend the event, and a VR headset is not required. Think of it as attending online conference session in immersive 360.
- Computer/Laptop
- Go to AltspaceVR’s website and install the desktop version.
- Register for free.
- At the time of the event, start the AltspaceVR software, login, click the event link in the EVENT screen to join.
- VR Headset (Quest, Pico, and many others)
- Go to the VR headset store and download and install the AltspaceVR app.
- Register for free (on the web or in the app).
- At the time of the event, launch the AltspaceVR app and Join the event.