Louisiana Children’s Museum Announces Dr. Calvin Mackie as Keynote Presenter at Association of Children’s Museums InterActivity 2023
NEW ORLEANS —The Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM) is proud to announce board member Dr. Calvin Mackie as presenting keynote speaker at the Association of Children’s Museum’s annual conference InterActivity 2023: Leveraging Our Voice, hosted by LCM beginning Wednesday.
“We are so delighted that dedicated servant leader, Dr. Calvin Mackie, will share his passion for STEM and his amazing experience over decades in advancing STEM and STEM careers to children who might not otherwise be exposed to them,” says Tifferney White, LCM CEO. “We are especially proud that Dr. Mackie serves as a member of our board and know his remarks will inspire others.”
Dr. Calvin’s keynote address, Today’s Tinkers are Tomorrow’s Inventors, will be presented at the InterActivity conference’s opening plenary session this Thursday, April 27, 2023 beginning at 9 a.m. ACM’s annual InterActivity conference is the largest gathering of children’s museum professionals in the world. Gathering in New Orleans, Thursday and Friday hundreds of children’s museum leaders, staff and stakeholders will gather to explore this year’s theme, Leveraging Our Voice, share knowledge, and advocate for the children’s museum field.
Dr. Mackie is an award-winning mentor, inventor, author, former engineering professor, internationally renowned speaker, successful entrepreneur and a member of the Louisiana Children’s Museum board of directors. In 2013, Dr. Mackie founded STEM NOLA, a nonprofit organization created to expose, inspire, and engage communities in the opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). To date, STEM NOLA has engaged over 125,000 K-12 students in hands-on project-based STEM activities. In 2021, he launched STEM Global Action to advance K-12 STEM education across the U.S. and the world.
“Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are fundamental to inventions and discovery, and also to opportunity and high paying jobs,” says Dr. Mackie. “Yet many in our community are underrepresented in these fields. It has been my life’s mission to increase opportunities for all children and early learners by showing that STEM is also fun. I am excited to be able to discuss and share what these dreams are made of and to advance equity and inclusion in all aspects of STEM education and careers.”
A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Dr. Mackie graduated from high school with low test scores requiring him to take special remedial classes at Morehouse College. In 1990, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Morehouse College with a B.S. degree, as a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. Simultaneously, he was awarded a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, where he subsequently earned his Master’s and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1996. In 2003, he was awarded the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in a White House ceremony. Dr. Mackie is the author of two award-winning books: A View from the Roof: Lessons for Life and Business and Grandma’s Hands: Cherished Moments of Faith and Wisdom.
“Dr. Calvin Mackie is dedicated to serving as a champion for children and their families and recognizes the important contributions of children’s museums to the world,” shares ACM’s Executive Director Arthur G. Affleck, III. “InterActivity attendees will be both inspired and supported in their work as Dr. Mackie speaks on building future leaders through perseverance.”
To learn more about LCM and its commitment to the children in our community, visit lcm.org.
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About Louisiana Children’s Museum
Louisiana Children’s Museum is a 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit organization that believes children matter and our communities are better when kids know their immense potential. Your contribution and purchases through donations, memberships, admissions, and the gift shop help LCM fulfill our mission of being steward of education and learning. With your support the Museum can focus on different experiences, including Early Learning & Literacy, Sustainability, Arts & Culture, and Health & Wellness