Past STEAM Events
In 2012, Palm Beach State College launched a major initiative to impact the projected shortage of local, skilled professionals in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) fields so critical to maintaining our economy’s competitive edge. The goal of the initiative is to prepare students for the high-paying, high-demand positions that are available in these industries. We are proud of our efforts to provide a well-rounded and better prepared workforce for the community.
Read about our past STEAM events below.
Former Guests
2024: Gary Vaynerchuk
Entrepreneur and CEO of The Cut Buddy, Gary Vaynerchuk spoke about entrepreneurship as his great passion and joy, what he would teach students today, how people can learn grit, what’s wrong with modern parenting, how to stay motivated in business and how artificial intelligence is going to change the future.
2020: Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy, NFL Hall of Fame coach and New York Times bestselling author, shared his inspirational lessons on life, leadership and fatherhood. Event was moderated by Emmy award-winning sports anchor Keli Ferguson.
2019: James Patterson
World’s bestselling author and Palm Beach resident James Patterson made clear the role Palm Beach State plays in the community, “This is a gem of a school and the heart of Palm Beach County.” Patterson’s words and praise are showing the community that Palm Beach County’s best kept secret is a story worth sharing.
2018: Dr. Guy Harvey
Artist, conservationist, angler, diver, scientist, entrepreneur and explorer; those are some of the many achievements that describe Dr. Guy Harvey's impressive career.
2017: Pitbull
What is one key to success in life? According to Armando Christian Perez, better known as “Pitbull,” it’s to follow your own journey in life. Pitbull also spoke about spending time in foster care as a child, as well as time in and out of many schools that he believes were built to fail him. He hopes that today’s system will look different.
2016: Danica Patrick
The luncheon featured NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, the first woman speaker for the event. Patrick spoke about starting her racing career go-karting with her younger sister, the technology that goes into the design and materials of her race cars, and ways to inspire more young women to enter and stay in STEAM careers.
2015: Neil deGrasse Tyson
An Astrophysicist, Tyson is the director of Manhattan’s Hayden Planetarium and host of 2014’s “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,” a continuation of Carl Sagan’s 1980 PBS miniseries exploring the infinite reaches of space and time. He holds 18 honorary doctorates and was awarded the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the agency’s highest award given to a non-governmental citizen.
May 2014: Dr. Randall Smith
With nearly 25 years of experience as a researcher and scientist, Smith is working with X-ray emitting light forms to discover clues to the basic building blocks of the universe. He uses art and imagery from space photos of the cosmos to explain how scientific breakthroughs change our world. His current project includes a global collaboration called “Aesthetics and Astronomy.”
January 2014: John Lithgow
Best known for his iconic roles in film and on television and stage, John Lithgow is passionate about the role creativity and the arts can play in expanding the traditional approach to education, literacy -- and life!
2013: Steve "The Woz" Wozniak
A Silicon Valley icon, Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple Computer Inc. with Steve Jobs
in 1976 and was the designer of Apple's first line of products, the Apple I and II.
Known as "The Woz," he is internationally recognized as an inventor, scientist, innovator
and philanthropist strongly committed to the arts.
