Lexington Reads: From STEM to STEAM; A Conversation with John Maeda

Cary Memorial Library continues its celebration of “The Creative Spirit,” this year's theme for Lexington Reads 2012.

"Leaders think STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) is the way to innovate. We need to add Art to turn STEM into STEAM."

John Maeda is a world-renowned artist, graphic designer, computer scientist and educator whose career reflects his philosophy of humanizing technology. For more than a decade, he has worked to synthesize technology, education and the arts into a 21st-century model for creativity and innovation. A former professor at MIT, Dr.  Maeda currently serves as president of the Rhode Island School of Design.

In this talk, Dr. Maeda will argue that the critical thinking, critical making, and creative leadership embodied at RISD can lead us to an enlightened form of innovation where art, design, technology, and business meet.

Dr.  Maeda earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from MIT, followed by a PhD in Design Science from the University of Tsukuba Institute of Art and Design in Japan and an MBA from Arizona State University.

Join us as Dr. Maeda shares lessons learned from his journey as an artist, technologist-professor, and as president of one of our nation's leading art and design colleges.