WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (May 26, 2010) — John McConnell, M.D., the chief executive officer of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural “Where Innovation Begins” fundraising dinner to celebrate scientific learning, recognize local and regional Science Fair winners and benefit the educational programs of SciWorks, The Science Center and Environmental Park of Forsyth County (http://www.sciworks.org). The dinner will be held on Wednesday, June 9, at Forsyth Country Club.
“Every day, our world is changed for the better because of science,” said Dr. McConnell, who will speak on “The Importance of Science to Society” at the event. “Whether it is a blood pump to assist a weakened heart or a new meteorological model that better predicts tornadoes, it is a scientist who makes that discovery. Tomorrow’s scientists are living in your home — they are the children who have seen something amazing and want to know more. Nurturing that curiosity with science education is the engine to discovery and to improve our lives.”
During the event student winners of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Science Fair and Regional Science Fair — along with their parents, family members and teachers — will be recognized. Each year, SciWorks hosts the annual county and regional science fair, and the Northwest Area Health Education Center of Wake Forest Baptist partners with the local school systems, SciWorks and others to provide special recognition and prize money to the top science fair winners.
SciWorks board member Michael Lishke, Ed.D., MPH, Northwest AHEC director and assistant professor of Family and Community Medicine, said the event is an opportunity to provide a new level of recognition for the science fair winners. “We want students who have achieved success in the scientific realm to receive the same recognition as those who have achieved success in other academic and athletic areas,” he said. “The ‘Where Innovation Begins’ dinner provides an excellent opportunity to do just that.” Northwest AHEC is a center of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and part of the NC AHEC program.
WXII meteorologist Austin Caviness will emcee the evening, which is hosted by the SciWorks board of directors. SciWorks is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation that promotes science literacy, lifelong learning and an appreciation of the sciences through innovative educational and recreational experiences. Established by the Junior League of Winston-Salem in 1964 as the Nature Science Center, SciWorks has been providing children with a breadth and depth of experiential learning in a fun environment for more than 45 years.
“The SciWorks’ formula fosters a deeper interest in science and a growth of the skills needed in today’s economy,” said Jimmy Flythe, SciWorks board chair and director of Government and Community Relations for Duke Energy Carolinas. “SciWorks’ goal is to help create the next generation of scientists and innovators—young people who will pursue the science, technology, engineering and math professions, and who will ultimately help drive our economy.”
The presenting sponsor for “Where Innovation Begins” is Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and its Northwest Area Health Education Center and Center of Excellence for Research, Teaching and Learning at Wake Forest University Health Sciences. Additional corporate sponsors include: TowerWorx/TelWorx Communications; BB&T; DrScore; Carolina Liquid Chemistries Corp.; Targacept; Riazzi Rhyne & Swaim Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors; Duke Energy; Vulcan Materials Co.; First Tennessee Bank; SunTrust Bank; Republic Mortgage Insurance Company; Bell, Davis & Pitt; Winston-Salem State University; Bank of America Merrill Lynch; North Carolina Community College System BioNetwork; Apple Rock and Reynolds American.
“Science museums such as SciWorks are vitally important to spark the interest of young children to explore, touch, create and learn — motivating us be more inquisitive and curious of the world around us and offering learning opportunities that are difficult to replicate in the school setting,” said SciWorks’ board member Steve Feldman, M.D., professor of Dermatology, Pathology & Public Health Sciences at Wake Forest Baptist and founder of the online physician rating Web site DrScore.com. “Science entertained me as a youth, whetted my appetite for learning and understanding the mechanisms of the world around us, and has given me a fulfilling career as a physician educator. I will always be supportive of this kind of experience for our children.”
About SciWorks
SciWorks is a 501(c)3 corporation that promotes science literacy, lifelong learning and an appreciation of the sciences through innovative educational and recreational experiences. Located just off University Parkway at 400 W. Hanes Mill Road in Winston-Salem, SciWorks is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.sciworks.org.
