South Fayette Schools has speakers series for 2023-24
Now in its second year, the South Fayette Township School District has announced the lineup for its 2023-24 speaker series.
Kevin Maurer, an associate principal at South Fayette Middle School and one of the organizers of the series, said it is designed to educate families and students on important issues and ideas. The emphasis in this year’s lineup is storytelling, Maurer added.
The season started with an Oct. 19 talk by Sean Gibson, the great-grandson of baseball legend Josh Gibson, who discussed the Negro Leagues and showed artifacts from the elder Gibson’s storied career. The next speaker is set for Wednesday, Nov. 1, when Vanessa Herring, a host on the QVC television network, will appear. Other speakers scheduled are:
n Noelle Conover, the founder and executive director of Matt’s Maker Space. She will discuss how her organization has donated STEAM labs to schools across the region, Thursday, Dec. 7.
n Bill Isler, the president and CEO emeritus of the Fred Rogers Company. He will talk about the many years he worked with Rogers and the impact of the series that have spun off from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Thursday, Jan. 11.
n Joseph T. Yun, the artificial intelligence and innovation architect for the University of Pittsburgh. He will outline the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, Wednesday, Feb. 8.
n The entrepreneurs Jess and Jorgen Pedersen. They will reveal how they went from waiting tables to becoming technology and robotics investors and pioneers, Thursday, March 7.
n Zach Betz, an alumnus of South Fayette High School and advocate for autism acceptance. He will discuss his work, Tuesday, April 4.
A “champions of hope” discussion is also planned for Thursday, May 2, about which more information will later be available.
The series is a collaboration with the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the organization Parents As Allies and South Fayette’s SHOUT (Social Handprints Overcoming Unjust Treatment) Club.
All the talks will be start at 7 p.m. in the South Fayette High School Studio. Admission is free, but registration is required.
Visit southfayette.org for additional information.