![\"\"](\"http:\/\/projectfibonacci.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/utica_logo-300x35.png\"){kind=logo}
Former astronaut Alan Bean. Neuroscientist David Eagleman. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Bill Nye the Science Guy.<\/p>\nFormer astronaut Alan Bean. Neuroscientist David Eagleman. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Bill Nye the Science Guy.<\/p>\n
Former astronaut Alan Bean. Neuroscientist David Eagleman. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Bill Nye the Science Guy.<\/p>\n
Rome tech company ANDRO Computational Solutions has those four lined up as keynote speakers at a week-long student conference it\u2019s planning for this summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI called it a TED conference for kids,\u201d said Dan Kostelec, STEAM outreach coordinator for ANDRO. \u201cWhat we\u2019re doing is we\u2019re trying to create an annual event built on STEAM \u2014 science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Our concept is one cannot exist without the other.\u201d<\/p>\n
The undertaking \u2014 which Kostelec anticipates will cost between $450,000 and $500,000 \u2014 is called the Fibonacci Project.<\/p>\n
\u201cFibonacci, back in the early 13th century, was a mathematician who discovered a branch of mathematics that describes everything,\u201d he explained. \u201cEverything in the universe is connected through emergent patterns. The swirl of your fingertip is the same as the swirl of the Milky Way galaxy, is the same as in a pinecone, as in a sunflower, as in a snail shell.\u201d<\/p>\n
The idea is to blend science and art themes through a series of all-encompassing tracks for high school seniors and juniors, and college students.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need serious stakeholders to step up to the challenge and work in a community-wide sense to entice youth to work, play and grow in this area and to make a positive difference to our future,\u201d said Andy Drozd, president and chief scientist. \u201cThat simply is what the objective of what this conference is: promoting the next wave of young scholars, scientists and artists by positively motivating and enlightening them.\u201d<\/p>\n
They\u2019re planning for 300 students.<\/p>\n
Eventually, the organization hopes to create a \u201clittle village\u201d of tech companies, college labs, art studios and galleries, caf\u00e9s and even an amphitheater.<\/p>\n
ANDRO is in the middle of fundraising for the event. Right now, funds are raised through SUNY Polytechnic Institute until ANDRO receives non-profit status.<\/p>\n