In addition to being an author, education and play designer, I am a lecturer, workshop facilitator, and public speaker. Topics range in from teamwork building, participatory design process, nature-inspired design innovation, creative thinking and problem solving methods, the joy of drawing, rapid visual communication, arts in academics, visual arts assessment, and more. Contact me if you would like to discuss hosting a presentation or event at your institution, conference, or business.
Presentations, Panels, and Engagements:
Keynote Speaker, The Greatest Gift I ever Received, RI Scholastics Arts Awards, RI College, January 19, 2020.
Keynote Speaker, From Caterpillars to Butterflies: Girls in a World of STEAM Disciplines, Girls in STEM Evening Conference, Women’s Leadership Council, United Way of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, April 14, 2016.
Presenter, Drawing Perspectives, TO SEARCH: Investigations of the Virtual and Material Lives of Objects, an educator's conference hosted by The RISD Museum and Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, September 25 - 26, 2015.
Emcee and Panel Moderator, Tangible Thinking: The Intersection of Art, Design, Math, and Science, a modern-day Aalon with Artists' Talks and Panel Discussion, The RISD Museum, Providence, RI, September 20, 2016.
Keynote Speaker, 2015 National Coalition of Girls' Schools Conference, From STEM to STEAM: Girls’ Schools Leading the Way, Richmond, VA, June 22-24, 2015.
Speaker, Why Collaborate with Children? Promoting Participatory Design, 2015 National Art Educators Association National Convention in New Orleans, LA, March 26-28, 2015
Keynote Address, Advocating for Strong Arts and Democratic Practice, Higher Order Thinking Schools Conference, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, July 16, 2014
Featured Speaker, Promoting Design Thinking: Beyond STEM to STEAM, Learning and the Brain Conference, "Smarter Minds: Teaching to Think, Create and Innovate" Conference at the Sheraton NY Times Square in NYC, May 9, 2014
Co-Organizer and Facilitator, Biomimicry Education Roundtable, co-hosted by the Biomimicry Institute and RISD, Providence, RI, April 30 - May 1, 2014
Designer-in-Residence, Collaboratively Designing Modular and Skeletal Toy Constructions: A Design Science Exploration (a Design Thinkshop experience), Peabody Essex Museum, Salem MA, April 19, 2014
Speaker, “STEAM Matters: Making a Difference Education and the Lives of Children. ”Examine practices of teaching + learning design thinking through the multisperspectival lens of design + design education. Explore the axiom that design-infused curriculum makes a positive impact on learning outcomes." National Art Educators Association Convention, San Diego, CA, March 29, 2014
Keynote Address, Investigating Minds: Empowering Children and Teachers through Design, Rhode Island Science Educator's Association Annual Conference, March 1, 2014
Co-Founder and Co-Organizer, Biennial Design Science Symposium, STEM to STEAM thru Synergy: Bridging Morphology, Biomimmicry, Sustainability, and Synergetics, RISD, Providence, RI, January 31 – February 2, 2014
Keynote Address, Star's First STEAM Project (a motivational presentation for 500 school children and their teachers), Launch of Lexington Elementary School's first STEAM Fair, Lexington, MA, January 16, 2014
Speaker, Why Design? Pedagogical approaches to integrating design thinking into curriculum, French American School of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, October 11, 2013
Speaker, Design Thinking for Kids: How parents, caregivers, and teachers can support and promote a child’s learning and development by giving them opportunities to think like a designer. Minds in Motion Conference, The Connecticut Association for the Gifted, The Country School, Madison, CT, October 5, 2013
Keynote Speaker and and Faculty, 21st Century Innovation Teacher Institute, focusing on STEAM and brain-compatible learning strategies, The Country School, Madison, CT, June 22-24, 2013; address focused on the value of integrating design thinking and making experiences in core curriculum
Panelist, How to Build a Forest Discussion, Brown University, Granoff Creative Art Center, Providence, RI, February 27, 2013
Speaker, The True Story of Nature-Inspired Design Innovation, Black Mountain College International Conference 2012, Black Mountain College, Asheville, NC, September, 28-30, 2012
Faculty, Museums and 21st Century Skills: Prefessional Educator Development, Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI, July 18, 2012; developed interactive STEAM-based curriculum about Color Thinking
Speaker, Practical Applications for Assessing Design Thinking, Assessment in the Arts Conference, Denver, Colorado, July 21, 2012
Presenter and faculty, Seeing and Making Mathematical Paper Structures, SmART Schools STEM to STEAM Mini-Institute for Rhode Island Secondary Math and Science Teachers, Brown University's Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM), Providence, RI, May 4, 2012
Presenter, Developing a Design Class Rubric, RISD’s Department of Teaching and Learning in Art and Design, April 30, 2012
Presenter and faculty, Nature Inspired Design Challenge, SmART Schools STEM to STEAM Mini-Institute for Rhode Island Secondary Math and Science Teachers, RISD's Edna Lawrence Nature Lab, Providence, RI, April 27, 2012
Speaker, Art and Politics: Where Does Influence Lie?, Featuring a collaborative art-making project as a means to discuss American's right to Freedom of Expression (1st Amendment to the US Constitution), Social Engagement Forum, RISD, April 19, 2012
Speaker, STEAM-Powered Programs for G6 - 16, GEAR Up Conference, New York City, February 13, 2012
Speaker, Innovating Minds and Hands:Practical Applications for Teaching Design Thinking, Third Biennial Design Science Symposium, RISD, Providence, RI, November 11, 2011
Faculty, Innovating Minds and Hands: Fetching Design – an Industrial Design Investigation Workshop for G6-12 Educators and Their Students, SmART Schools Summer Institute, Moving Up SmART: Meeting High Standards at the Secondary Level, East Providence, RI, August 15 – 19, 2011
Speaker, Innovating Minds and Hands: How Nature Inspires Innovation, Lecture for RISD Industrial Design Principles Studio, Chase Center Auditorium, RISD, Providence, RI, April 19, 2011