Samantha Madison

ROME This years Project Fibonacci STEAM conference and speaker series will feature a number of high-profile speakers, including Shark Tanks Daymond John.

The second annual event will take place at The Beeches in Rome and other surrounding locations, ending Saturday, Aug. 5.

The event hopes to build on last years headway, which led to about 10 internships and several new jobs, said Andy Drozd, president and chief scientist at ANDRO Computational Solutions.

"This says a lot in our efforts to revitalize youth talent and spur on new ideas in our own backyard," he said in a news release.

The Project Fibonacci Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization focusing on strengthening the workforce and economic development for the region using science, technology, engineering, arts and math education as a catalyst.

Students in 11th grade through seniors in college come from all over New York and beyond for the one-week event, taking part in immersive, hands-on education that is both team- and project-based.

"Last year, Project Fibonacci brought in nearly $340,000 to our local Mohawk Valley economy for a one-week event," Drozd said. "We want to continue to grow and increase that impact in 2017 and beyond as well as synergize our activities with other local and regional workforce education, economic development, entrepreneurial and start-up initiatives to revitalize our region and capitalize on its many strengths."

Last years speakers included astrophysicist Alex Filippenko, astronaut Jeanette Epps, astronaut and artist Alan Bean, neuroscientist David Eagleman and actor Alan Alda.

Originally posted here:

Event to feature technology, science speakers - The Times Telegram