Welcome

CrossRoads 2017, our signature thought leadership conference, will take place at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco from May 23 to 25, 2017. Bringing together researchers, innovators, practitioners and influencers, we will examine how to best increase access to high quality education in Computer Science, coding and Making, with a particular focus on equity and inclusion.

We all share the same goals: Using effective education as a driver for greater diversity, faster economic growth and better preparation for 21st century careers. Through a combination of engaging keynotes, discussions and peer-learning opportunities, CrossRoads 2017 will help you learn more about the diverse initiatives in this area, what is working and what is not. We will share, discuss and debate on how this is currently being done, what remains to be achieved and how to accelerate the pace of change. CrossRoads 2017 is an exclusive invitation-only event.

Infosys Foundation USA looks forward to welcoming you to San Francisco and CrossRoads 2017.

  • San Francisco Moscone West, 800 Howard Street
  • May 23 – 25, 2017

Speakers

We’re working to put on stage for you a great set of thought leaders to share ideas on Computer Science education, maker education, diversity, and inclusion, and equity. Our line-up of speakers over the past years will give you a sense of what to expect. Al Gore, Bran Ferren, Alan Kay, and Adam Savage among others have inspired and motivated audiences at CrossRoads.

Venue

Moscone West, 800 Howard Street, San Francisco

Moscone Center is the largest convention and exhibition complex in San Francisco, California. Moscone West, where CrossRoads 2017 will take place, is a freestanding building and is almost as large as one city block. It comprises three levels that are 110 feet above street level with about 300,000 sq. ft. of space. Moscone West is in the heart of South of Market Area and is a short walk from hotels, restaurant and downtown Union Square.

Interesting Fact about Moscone Center: The largest city-owned solar power system in the United States is located at the Moscone Center. Covering 60,000 square feet with 5,400 solar panel systems, equivalent to the size of a football field, it generates 826,000 kWh annually. This is equivalent to power 184 homes in San Francisco for an entire year, removing 7,000 cars from the road, or not driving 88 million miles. Over the lifetime of the project, it will reduce 35,000 tons of CO2.

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Agenda

15:30 – 17:00

Registration

17:00 – 18:00

Break

18:00 – 20:30

CrossRoads Opening Night Reception.

Join us for a very San Francisco evening at 111 Minna Gallery. A networking reception with dinner catered from the Dabba food truck by Michelin rated Chef Walter Abrams (formerly of the famed French Laundry)

Opening Remarks: Vandana Sikka, Infosys Foundation USA

07:00 – 08:00

Continental Breakfast and Registration

08:00 – 09:00

Room 2014A

From Consumers to Creators

Creativity is inherent in all of us. Hear how these innovators share their passion and inspire others to evolve from just consuming to creating.

Moderator:

Matt Richardson,

Raspberry Pi Foundation

Panelists:

Dave Wolber, University of San Francisco

Alissa Bushnell, Tools Camp

Jie Qi, Chibitronics

Read More

Room 2014B

Experiential Learning and the Experience of Learning

Listen to ideas on how to make CS and Maker education fun and engaging while building long term student interest.

Moderator:

Illah Nourbakhsh, Carnegie Mellon University

Panelists:

Colleen Lewis, Harvey Mudd College

Patricia Ordonez, University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras

Paulo Blikstein, Stanford University

Read More

Room 2016

The National CS Education Policy Landscape

Explore the toughest issues being tackled to support CS education policies across all 50 US states

Moderator:

Cameron Wilson, Code.org

Panelists:

Hal Speed, CS4TX / Micro:bit Education Foundation

Kirsten Sundell, Southern Regional Education Board

Jim Stanton, MassCAN & EDC

Read More

Design Thinking Alcove

Design Thinking 101

Participate in a hands-on introduction to Design Thinking methods and mindsets. Learn strategies of empathy and experimentation.

Facilitator:

John Kembel, dglobal.org

Read More

09:00 – 10:00

Room 2014A

Makerspaces: Hands-on Creativity to Design & Invent

Revisit makerspaces as learning hubs where students learn to tinker using science, engineering, art, & CS.

Moderator:

Ken Montgomery, Design Tech High School

Panelists:

Casey Shea, Sonoma County Office of Education

Lisa Regalla, Bay Area Discovery Museum

Smita Kolhatkar, Palo Alto Unified School District

Read More

Room 2014B

AP CS Principles: Reflections on the First Year

Less than a month after the very first AP CS Principles exam, hear from experts on learnings from the first year.

Moderator:

Gregg Fleisher, National Math and Science Initiative

Panelists:

Bradley Beth, UTeach Institute

Lien Diaz, College Board

Ralph Morelli, Trinity College

Read More

Room 2016

Understanding the K–12 CS Framework

What is the K-12 CS Framework and how does it map to standards? Hear about examples of it being applied.

Moderator:

Pat Yongpradit, Code.org

Panelists:

Bryan Twarek, San Francisco Unified School District

Jennifer Rosato, College of St. Scholastica

Maya Israel, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Mehran Sahami, Stanford University

Read More

Design Thinking Alcove

Design Thinking 101

Participate in a hands-on introduction to Design Thinking methods and mindsets. Learn strategies of empathy and experimentation.

Facilitator:

John Kembel, dglobal.org

Read More

10:00 – 10:30

Break

10:30 – 11:30

Room 2014A

Young Makers as Today’s Agents of Change

Explore ways in which students identify meaningful social issues & develop solutions to these problems.

Moderator:

Kylie Peppler, Indiana University, Bloomington

Panelists:

Blaze Starkey, mní wičhóni nakíčižiŋ owáyawa (Defenders of the Water School)

Darlene Cavalier, SciStarter

Quincy Brown, American Association for the Advancement of Science

Read More

Room 2014B

Scaling CS: Pre-Service Teachers and CS education

Learn about the need to prepare new teachers to enter the classroom ready to teach CS.

Moderator:

Mark Nelson, CSTA

Panelists:

Aman Yadav, Michigan State University

Anne Leftwich, Indiana University,Bloomington

Cullen White, Teach for America

Read More

Room 2016

Decoding Diversity

Hear about the ways to increase equity and inclusion by introducing CS to all children, regardless of background.

Moderator:

Felix Flores, #YesWeCode

Panelists:

Antonio Tijerino, Hispanic Heritage Foundation

Beth Rosenberg, TechKidsUnlimited.org

Laurie McRobbie, Indiana University

Sarah Echohawk, American Indian Science and Engineering Society

Read More

Design Thinking Alcove

Design Challenge: CS Education

An experiential discovery session using the Design Thinking methods and mindsets to explore CS Education Policy.

Facilitator:

John Kembel, dglobal.org

Read More

11:30 - 12:30

Room 2014A

Building Sustainable Organizations

Hear about strategies to build effective mission-driven organizations that can thrive in the long term.

Moderator:

Lisa Chambers, TECH CORPS

Panelists:

Antonio Tijerino, Hispanic Heritage Foundation

Cindy Johanson, Edutopia / George Lucas Educational Foundation

Karen Jung, Nextech

Maurya Couvares, ScriptEd

Read More

Room 2014B

Measuring Success: Assessments and Outcomes

Hear how to create meaningful assessments and evaluations. Learn ways to interpret results and integrate into the design of programs and support of students.

Moderator:

Jill Denner, ETR Associates

Panelists:

Buffy Smith, Helena High School, Montana

Jennifer Rosato, College of St. Scholastica

Shuchi Grover, SRI International

Read More

Room 2016

Creating a Flourishing Maker Ecosystem

Discuss ways in which organizations can work together at the local and national levels to build Maker education ecosystems.

Moderator:

Dorothy Jones Davis, Nation of Makers

Panelists:

Mark Hatch, Maker Partners

Sonya Pryor-Jones, Fab Foundation

Trey Lathe, Maker Ed

Read More

Design Thinking Alcove

Design Challenge: CS Education

An experiential discovery session using the Design Thinking methods and mindsets to explore CS Education Policy.

Facilitator:

John Kembel, dglobal.org

Read More

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 - 15:00

Room 2014A

Post-Secondary Pathways and Technology Careers

Discuss options which exist, or should exist, to successfully take students from high school to a career in CS.

Moderator:

Kaustav Mitra, Infosys Foundation USA

Panelists:

Jeff Casimir, Turing School

Nigamanth Sridhar, Cleveland State University

Van Ton-Quinlivan, California Community Colleges Chancellors Office

Read More

Room 2014B

CS for Your State 1

Hear leaders from CA, KY, and RI share different approaches to big policy issues

Moderator:

Anthony Owen, AR Department of Education

Panelists:

Julie Flapan, Alliance for California Computing Education for Students & Schools

Octavia Abell, Rhode Island Office of Innovation

Scott U'Sellis, Kentucky Department. of Education

Read More

Room 2016

What Next? Future Steps in the CS Education Movement

Examine to-date progress made to ensure access for all students to high quality CS & computational thinking education.

Moderator:

Kumar Garg, Society for Science and the Public

Panelists:

Cameron Wilson, Code.org

Dave Reed, CSTA / Creighton University

Jan Cuny, National Science Foundation

Leigh Ann DeLyser, CSNYC

Read More

Design Thinking Alcove

Design Challenge: Maker Education

An experiential discovery session using the Design Thinking methods and mindsets to explore Maker Education.

Facilitator:

John Kembel, dglobal.org

Read More

15:00 - 16:00

Room 2014A

Beyond Coding Camps

Hear about ways to sustain the enthusiasm of students after a successful coding camp.

Moderator:

Jacob Martinez, Digital NEST

Panelists:

Christina Lewis Halpern, All Star Code

Neal Sales-Griffin, CodeNOW

Tom O’Connell, Code/Interactive

Read More

Room 2014B

CS for Your State 2

Hear leaders from OH, PA, and MS on priorities and challenges in crafting state level CS education policy

Moderator:

Kirsten Sundell, Southern Regional Education Board

Panelists:

Holly Lavender, OH Dept. of Education

Laura Hummell, PA Dept. of Education

Mike Mulvihill, MS Dept. of Education

Read More

Room 2016

Future Ready Education: Approaches to Teaching CS

A discussion about different ways to expose students to concepts of CS.

Moderator:

Dave Wolber, University of San Francisco

Panelists:

Cynthia Solomon, Educational Technology Professional

Dan Garcia, University of California at Berkeley

Illah Nourbakhsh, Carnegie Mellon University

Read More

Design Thinking Alcove

Design Challenge: Maker Education

An experiential discovery session using the Design Thinking methods and mindsets to explore Maker Education.

Facilitator: John Kembel, dglobal.org

Read More

16:00 – 16:30

Break

16:30 - 17:30

Room 2014A

Learning by Making: Open Discussion

Participate in an open discussion about how Making offers powerful opportunities to develop critical skills.

Facilitators:

Deanne Bell, Future Engineers

Sylvia Martinez, Invent to Learn

Read More

Room 2014B

Ground Level Implementation: Open Discussion

Participate in an open discussion about how policy initiatives are actually being implemented on the ground.

Facilitators:

Devin Holmes, Big Sky Code Academy

Julie Jordan, Mississippi State University

Read More

Room 2016

Changing Culture, Changing the Conversation: Open Discussion

Participate in an open discussion on how to change culture, and overcome bias, in the context of diversity in technology.

Facilitators:

Kim Scott, Arizona State University

Melinda Epler, Change Catalyst

Read More

Design Thinking Alcove

Empathy in Action

Design thinking begins with empathy. Come meet and connect with each other in new ways.

Facilitators:

John Kembel, dglobal.org

Read More

19:30 – 23:00

Dinner Gala with Two Bit Circus

A world at the intersection of technology and spectacle, engineering and entertainment, imagination and intellect waiting for you to explore.

07:00 – 08:00

Continental Breakfast

08:00 – 08:45

Confluence Keynote: Unlimiting the power of ideas

In a world where technology can help realize every well-framed idea, our success will be increasingly defined by our ability to find these ideas about the right problems that must be solved. So we might then – amplified by technology – build the future of our aspirations.

Speakers:

Aimee Mullins and Sebastian Thrun

08:45 – 10:00

CrossRoads Keynote

Speaker:

Pending Confirmation

Confluence Keynote: AI – Looking Under the Hood

Speaker:

Dr. Vishal Sikka, CEO, Infosys (08:45 – 09:30)

10:00 – 10:30

Break

10:30 – 11:30

CrossRoads Keynote: Education That Takes Us To The 22nd Century

Children born today will be 83 in the year 2100. Will they get there at all? Could they and the planet get there in better shape than things are today? A long range perspective can often help point the way in the shorter term for where we should try to take education, and from this, where we should try to take computing for all.

Speakers:

Alan Kay

11:30 – 12:00

CrossRoads Closing Plenary: Open Discussion

12:20 – 13:10

Confluence Keynote: 208 seconds - A Lifetime of Lessons

Capt. Sully's story is one of dedication, hope, and preparedness, revealing the important lessons he learned through his life, in his military service, and in his work as an airline pilot. In this riveting presentation, he shares details from the 208 seconds that put his entire career on the line.

Speaker:

Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger

13:10 – 14:00

Lunch and Departures

Learning

Watch breakout sessions from CrossRoads 2016 featuring topics on Computer Science education, Maker education and issues of diversity and equity. Again this year you’ll have the opportunity to connect and interact with leaders and experienced educators.

Networking

If there’s one thing that’s even better than the content at CrossRoads, it’s the formal and informal opportunities to meet like-minded individuals from around the US. In fact, last year 175+ thoughts leaders from 150+ non-profits, learning institutions, and government agencies came together to discuss, deliberate, debate and join hands to move us all forward.

FAQs

Registration

CrossRoads 2017 is an exclusive invitation-only event. You will be able to register only if your email address is already on our guest list. Should you have any queries regarding CrossRoads 2017, we'll be happy to help. Please email the CrossRoads team at crossroads.us@aimia.com.

Yes, you will receive a confirmation email once you successfully complete your registration.

Travel & Transportation

The nearest and the most accessible airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is approximately 14 miles from the conference venue. Flying into Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC) are also options but please do note these are significantly further from Moscone West.

Reaching the hotel by taxi from the San Francisco International Airport will take approximately 25 minutes. The approximate taxi cost is USD 45– USD 60.

Popular ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber are also permitted to pick up passengers at SFO on the Arrivals level. The best public transit option is the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The closest station to Moscone West is the Powell Street Station. Please check the BART website (www.bart.gov) for schedules and further details.

Yes, both self-parking and valet service are available at the hotel. The overnight charge is USD 47 plus tax for self-parking and USD 55 plus tax for valet.

Conference

The conference begins with registration on Tuesday, 23rd May at 5:30 PM followed by a welcome session and cocktail reception. The regular check-in time at the hotel is 3 PM but the hotel will try to make arrangements for early check-in, whenever possible.

The dress code for the conference is business casual. For the gala dinner, smart casual would be appropriate.

Attendees are responsible for the cost of their own accommodations. However, Infosys Foundation USA has negotiated a special discounted USD 299 rate plus applicable taxes for CrossRoads attendees for May 23 and May 24. This is for a limited number of rooms and is available on a first-come-first-serve basis at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. We will provide you with lunch, evening meals, and tea/coffee during the conference. All personal incidentals such as laundry, mini bar, and phone calls from the room will be charged to the attendee directly by the hotel during check-out.

The conference is an exclusive invitation-only event. There is no registration fee for attendees.

Yes! We will be tweeting from @InfyFoundation using #InfyXRoads. We will be using this same hashtag on Facebook and Pinterest channels, so please say hello.

Hotel

To make a booking at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, please use the 'Book Hotel Now' link that will display upon completion of your conference registration. Please note, Infosys has negotiated a special USD 299 rate plus applicable taxes for nights of May 23 and May 24. The official CrossRoads hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the venue. This is for a limited number of rooms and is available on a first-come-first-serve basis at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.

Yes, attendees can stay at any hotel of their choice. Please do note though that the San Francisco Marriott Marquis is conveniently located just five minutes away from Moscone West.

You may choose to extend your stay at the hotel by making a personal booking. The discounted rates will be applicable for 3 days before and 3 days after the conference for CrossRoads attendees through the Passkey link (based on availability). If availability at the group hotel through Passkey no longer exists, please email with the subject line 'CrossRoads pre/post booking request' for assistance.

At the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, the standard check-in time is 3 PM and the check-out time is 12 noon. Other hotels may have different times, please check with your hotel as necessary.