STATE Your Future
The College of Applied Science & Technology, along with Illinois State University is proud to host Margot Lee Shetterly on April 13, 2021, as our keynote speaker.
April 12-16, 2021
Science and Technology Week celebrates advancements in the field of science and technology, as well as the hardworking, dedicated students and professionals who make those advancements possible. Past keynote speakers include:
Temple Grandin – animal scientist
Tim Gunn – television host and Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne Inc.
Charlie Trotter – chef
Bill Nye – science guy
Brian Greene – theoretical physicist
….and more!
Schedule of Events
- CAST Impact Day – Monday, April 12, Midwest Food Bank
- Keynote Speaker – Margot Lee Shetterly – Tuesday, April 13, 7:00 p.m., Virtual
- Chef Sean Sherman Event – Wednesday, April 14 and Thursday, April 15
- Academy of Achievement – Thursday, April 15, 9:00 a.m., Bone Student Center
- Women in Leadership – Friday, April 16, 8:45 a.m., Zoom
Monday, April 12, 2021- Midwest Food Bank
CAST Impact Day
The College of Applied Science and Technology is pleased to partner with the Center for Civic Engagement and the Midwest Food Bank to provide a volunteer opportunity for students, faculty, and staff. Registration is available on the CAST website until April 1 (or until filled); register early as spots are limited.
- Monday, April 12
- Midwest Food Bank: 2031 Warehouse Road, Normal
- Volunteer shift 1: 9-11am
- Registration Closed
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. – Virtually
Keynote Address Margot Lee Shetterly
Shetterly’s Hidden Figures—a #1 NYT bestseller and inspiration for a #1 movie in America—is the true story of the black women mathematicians at NASA who helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space. In talks, Shetterly celebrates these unsung heroes, teasing out issues of race, gender, science, and innovation against the backdrop of WWII and the Civil Rights Era.
Writer, researcher, and entrepreneur Margot Lee Shetterly is the author of Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, which was a top book of 2016 for both TIME and Publisher’s Weekly, a USA Today bestseller, and a #1 (instant) New York Times bestseller..
The film adaptation of her book—which became the number one movie in America—stars Taraji P. Henson (Empire), Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner.
It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, and Octavia Spencer was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. To The New York Times, the film introduces viewers to “real people you might wish you had known more about earlier … [who] can fill you with outrage at the persistence of injustice and gratitude toward those who had the grit to stand up against it.” A television show is also in the works.
Shetterly is also the founder of the Human Computer Project, a digital archive telling the stories all of NASA’s “Human Computers,” women from all backgrounds whose work tipped the balance in favor of the United States in WWII, the Cold War, and the Space Race. Shetterly’s father was among the early generation of black NASA engineers and scientists, and she had direct access to NASA executives and the women featured in the book. She grew up around the historically black Hampton University, where some of the women in Hidden Figures studied. Her research has been supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. She is currently a scholar-in-residence at the University of Virginia, with joint appointments at the McIntire School of Commerce and the School of Engineering.
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 and Thursday, April 15, 2021
Chef Sean Sherman Event
Oglala Lakota Chef Sean Sherman will explore decolonizing the food system with events at Illinois State University on April 14 and 15.
Founder of the company The Sioux Chef, Sherman will share his journey of discovering, reviving, and reimagining Indigenous cuisine with the talk “The (R)evolution of Indigenous Food Systems of North America” at 7 p.m. April 15 via Zoom. The talk will explore fascinating details about how historical and cultural roots of food systems result in important health, environmental, and political consequences today.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
Seeds of Change
10 a.m., April 14
Illinois State’s Horticulture Center will host a discussion of the culinary uses and cultural meanings of local plants. An online informal chat between Chef Sean Sherman with the Director of the ISU Horticulture Center Jessica Chambers; Mac Condill, founder and owner of The 200 Acres; and Shana Bushyhead Condill, National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
During the conversation about a few indigenous plants you will learn more about:
• popular ideas about the plants
• what the plant is like
• culinary uses
• cultural meanings
Registrants will receive a packet of seeds great for your garden, generously donated by The 200 Acres. People who sign up for this event will also get digital materials about the plants, the ISU Horticulture Center, and North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NāTIFS). Register here.
Normal Food Summit
3:30-5 p.m., April 14
A panel discussion of Native American cuisine, sustainability, food justice, and food sovereignty among diverse stakeholders, including Illinois State faculty affiliated with the Food Studies minor, the Town of Normal, the Savannah Institute, Epiphany Farms, the Midwest Food Bank, and local food pantries and community gardens. Registration is required.
Cook along with Chef Sherman
Chef Sherman will also give an online cooking demonstration at noon on April 15. “Home Made: A Healthy, Indigenous Cooking Demonstration” will allow participants to cook along with Chef Sherman as he prepares local, Indigenous foods.
Those who register will be able to pick up meal kits that coordinate with the demonstration. Meal kits will also be offered to local food pantries and food assistance programs. Those who wish to sample the foods can try special menu items available for purchase with Epiphany Farms.
Chef Sean Sherman
The focus of The Sioux Chef has been on the revitalization and evolution of indigenous food systems throughout North America. Chef Sean Sherman has studied extensively to determine the foundations of these food systems to gain a full understanding of bringing back a sense of Native American cuisine to today’s world. His cookbook, The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, was awarded the James Beard medal for Best American Cookbook and was chosen one of the top 10 cookbooks of 2017 by the LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle, as well as the Smithsonian Magazine. The Sioux Chef team educates and makes indigenous foods more accessible to as many communities as possible through the recently founded nonprofit North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NāTIFS). Learn more at www.natifs.org.
Those with questions can contact Dr. Kathryn Sampeck at ksampec@ilstu.edu.
Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. – Bone Student Center
Academy of Achievement Induction Ceremony
Celebrate CAST alumni during their induction to the Academy of Achievement. The Academy brings together alumni who are “thought leaders” in their fields and who serve as an inspiration to others with similar career paths.
- Induction ceremony, 9:00 a.m.
- Brunch, 10:00 a.m.
Friday, April 16, 2021 at 8:45 a.m. – Zoom
Women in Leadership
Did you know that 7 out of 8 CAST departments graduate female students into male-dominated fields? Join us to have conversations about career success with successful CAST alumni. Keynote speaker is Dr. Cara Rabe-Hemp, associate dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology.
- 8:45 am – noon with breaks
- Agenda
- No cost, but preregistration is required
- Registration Closed
Contact: Kara Snyder at kepool@ilstu.edu with any questions or requests for accommodations.