Florida Polytechnic University kicks off #STEMTalks

Florida Polytechnic University will host #STEMTalks: Hackers and Cyber Security in the 21st Century on  Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 7 p.m. The online event is the first installment in a four-part virtual Google+ Hangout series that explores the future of high technology and the vital role of a core education in science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Each month this fall, #STEMTalks will feature a new panel of industry experts, Florida Poly faculty and representatives from the student body. Topics will include The Rise of Machines: Robotics & Machine Intelligence, How STEM will Transform Florida, and Ask Me Anything.

“#STEMTalks is a tremendous opportunity for current and prospective students, industry, faculty and interested members of our community to gather virtually and learn about pressing high-tech topics,” said Florida Poly spokesperson, Crystal L. Lauderdale. “The series will provide an informal and fun learning environment where viewers can ask experts the hard-hitting questions.”

The first Google+ Hangout, #STEMTalks: Hackers and Cyber Security in the 21st Century will focus on recent high-profile cyber security breaches, trends in cyber security and academic programs that are helping to shape the next generation of cyber security experts. Panelists include:

• David Shearer, Chief Executive Officer at ISC2, a global not-for-profit focused on educating and certifying information security professionals throughout their careers. Shearer has more than 27 years of internet technology experience at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Tom Hull, Chief Information Officer, Florida Polytechnic University. Hull leads the University’s Information Technology Services Division, planning and implementing technology that reflects and enhances Florida Poly’s cutting-edge teaching, learning and research environments. He has served as CIO for three universities in his 30-year career.
• Dr. Youssif Al-Nashif, Associate Professor of Computer Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Polytechnic University. Dr. Al-Nashif is a widely-published academician with extensive experience in cyber security and computer networks.
• Riley Schill, Florida Poly sophomore majoring in Computer Science and Information Technology.

Participants are encouraged to submit questions to panelists before and during the live events via Twitter and Facebook by using the hashtag, #STEMTalks. Questions may also be submitted to the Google+ Hangout page where the forum will be hosted.

To learn more and register, visit https://floridapolytechnic.org/stemtalks/.

Episodes from this past spring and future archived episodes can be found on YouTube.com/flpolyu and on iTunes athttps://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/stem-talks/id1027389119.

About Florida Polytechnic University: 

Florida Polytechnic University is the state’s 12th public university and the newest member of the State University System of Florida. Dedicated exclusively to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the University blends applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. The campus, located in Lakeland, Fla., along the I-4 High Tech Corridor, opened for classes on Aug. 25, 2014.

Tags: Education, Technology/Innovation