Education

This weekend in Cleveland: CIFF, Fashion Week and more
This weekend, spend the day at the Cleveland International Film Festival, express your style at Cleveland Fashion Week, sip a glass of bubbly at the Week of Wine, and party at Near West Theatre’s annual benefit gala.
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens: Hidden in plain sight
You've likely driven by the Cultural Gardens many times, but have you stopped and experienced them? Here's the story of one person's discovery of what the Gardens mean, to him and possibly the rest of us too. 
Nottingham Spirk, think[box] partnership will inspire innovation, bring products to market
A partnership between product design innovation firm  Nottingham Spirk and CWRU’s think[box] is designed to both inspire new inventions and bring existing ideas to fruition. CWRU announced late last month that Nottingham Spirk, known for creations like the Dirt Devil vacuum and the SpinBrush toothbrush, will work with Case faculty and students on the first floor of the new think[box] facility, scheduled to open in the fall.

The partnership was announced by John Nottingham and John Spirk, both Cleveland Institute of Art graduates, at Case’s Engineering Week banquet on February 26, during which they were the keynote speakers.
 
The idea is to build on Nottingham Spirk’s reputation for creating innovative products in the consumer and medical device fields by helping faculty members, and eventually students, fully develop their own ideas.
 
“We’re creating a partnership in innovation that they can see what the faculty are doing and what might be applicable to their work,” explains Jeff Duerk, dean of the engineering school. “They’ll be brainstorming how to take them to the next level. Nottingham Spirk is the premier design and innovation company in the United States. They’re like Reese’s Cups – they bring things together in such an obvious way. This is about how to take high-quality concepts and bring them to market faster.”
 
Bill Nottingham calls think[box] the “nexus” between Case’s seven schools and the CIA. “The greatest thing that can happen is we work together to promote more successes,” he says. “Hearing about think[box] and what they are doing to promote innovation, and hearing about the startups going on right down the hill from us, it’s really exciting.”
 
Nottingham sees the potential between the two organizations as unlimited. “There are going to be disruptive innovations that come out of think[box] based on the CWRU and Nottingham Spirk collaboration,” he says. “Our success is only as good as our relationships.”
 
The details of programs with students under the partnership have yet to be worked out, says Duerk, but should be soon.
 
  
Great Lakes Neurotechnologies offers 'crash course in biomedical engineering' for HS students
Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies (GLNT), which develops biomedical technologies for research, education, and medical communities, wants to introduce high school students to the many careers available in biomedical engineering. So the company is hosting a “Crash Course in Biomedical Engineering” on Wednesday, April 1st from 4 pm to 6:30 pm at its Valley View Offices.

“We recognize that biomedical engineering is just a huge area of growth, it’s just booming,” says Lori Grimm, marketing manager for GLNT. “It’s a vast field and people may not know just what it’s about, so we’re launching this course to give people an idea.”

GLNT researchers and engineers will lead discussions in a five areas: medical device development; biomedical research; software programming; product manufacturing; and biomedical career paths. While targeted at high school seniors, the event of open to all high school students. Students will also have the chance to talk to the speakers.

"We want to educate seniors in biomedical engineering to inspire them to move on and explore careers in the field,” says Grim. “Lots of kids hear ‘biomedical engineering’ and it sounds intimidating. But actually, it’s s really exciting field.”

Grim admits the motivation is somewhat “selfish” on GLNT’s part, as the hope is that the event will attract students to the field and in turn bring more qualified applicants to the Cleveland area. “Some areas, like research, we don’t have much of a problem,” says Grim, adding that GLNT just hired four new researchers. “But software engineers, that’s a little bit tougher.”

The program is also part of GLNT’s ongoing mission to give back to the community and educate students on STEM subjects. Additionally, the company gives away two $1,000 scholarships annually to Northeast Ohio high school seniors planning on studying biomedical engineering in college.

The Crash Course event is free, but registration is required by March 23. Contact Sara Rini to register or for more information. The application deadline for the scholarships is April 30. 
#FredTalksCLE: Arts mastery teaches kids success
When kids commit themselves to an art form, they gain self-confidence and set high expectations for themselves. How do we create more access to arts education for youth in urban neighborhoods? 
Cleveland institutions dipping into local talent pool to fill workforce gaps
Schools and businesses are aiming to boost the economy through a regionally-bred pipeline of skilled workers.
Movies, movies, everywhere: A guide to surviving and thriving at the film fest
Cracking open this year's film fest guide can feel like a commitment on par with starting a particularly complex novel. How do you manage the abundance without giving up? Never fear! We've got tips. 
Welcome hubs provide foreign-born with a Cleveland connection
An alliance of local groups are creating one-stop meeting points for refugees and immigrants new to the city.
Cleveland's once-fragile arts sector is shaping the future
A few years ago, local arts groups faced declining audiences. Today, many of these organizations have reinvented themselves and begun to thrive -- or at least turned the corner.
this weekend in cleveland: teatro publico and much more
This weekend, check out Teatro Publico at CPT, view films by a Swedish master at the Cinematheque, ruminate on Cleveland “then” and “now” at Heights Arts and join the community in brainstorming ways to enhance the Jim Mahon Green in Ohio City. 
Join a #FredTalksCLE discussion about arts education
Arts education programs that teach mastery have the greatest potential to impact child development, yet many urban youth lack access to them. Learn why these programs work and how we can cultivate them in Cleveland.
the art of social dancing is not dead
Social dancing is a great way to meet new people, get exercise and explore Cleveland. From Brazilian capoeira to contra dancing, here are four local places to get your groove on.
investments in cleveland biomed companies on the rise
Ohio is no longer flyover country when it comes to attracting venture capital for biotech companies. In 2014, Cleveland had $398 million in investments among 40 companies, ranking second in major Midwest cities behind Minneapolis. Yet access to local capital remains a concern.
city club ceo asks: can cleveland overcome its race problem?
"As chief executive of the City Club of Cleveland—a 102-year-old institution created to foster dialogue about local, national and international issues—I often find myself in the midst of conversations about the city. So when I—a white guy—am in a meeting about policing or witnessing the inability of some white people here to understand why Tamir’s death catalyzed such vocal and visible protests, I remember what a divided city this really is."

Read the full story here.
this week in cleveland: hope for the city and much more
This week, join Sustainable Cleveland at Old Stone Church for the kickoff of the Hope for the City series, see Booker T. Jones at the Music Box, view three versions of Blade Runner at the Cinematheque, and sample local brews.