Presentation: Tweet"Growing up Geek"

Time: Wednesday 15:00 - 15:50 / Location: Promenade Ballroom B & C

The generation gap has finally gone meta. We've come to expect that our kids are going to have a drastically different upbringing and live in a world that doesn't resemble the one we live in today. One thing is certain; kids will work in a world with technology we've never dreamed of, built on top of the systems we've left behind. Is youth sports and band practice going to be enough to prepare them for this brave new world? Are we worried yet? Fear not! There are fun solutions to this problem! If you know where to look you'll find people and organizations in your own backyard dedicated to making sure kids get the opportunities they need to function in a world driven by technology. Come learn about these organizations, where to find them, and how they're impacting the next generation. Learning to share your passion with your kids helps prepare them for the future, and foster a relationship that can last well past either of your sporting careers. Whether your child aspires to be the next great programmer, inventor or a non-technical rock star, we need to cultivate a generation of code conscious citizens to ensure a better world in years to come.

Download slides

Bob Paulin, TweetIndependent Consultant and Speaker

Biography: Bob Paulin

Bob Paulin is an independent consultant and speaker that has been developing open source software for the past 10 years. Bob has presented at large international conferences such as ApacheCon, JavaOne and Devnexus. Bob is actively involved in the Chicago developer community as the Chicago Java User Group President and Devoxx4Kids Chicagoland Organizer. As a passionate open source advocate Bob donates his time to Apache Felix and Apache Tika as a committer and PMC respectively. Bob helps his clients perform modular development/design, automation for continuous delivery, and build forward leaning web applications. When not coding, Bob enjoys coaching football, robotics, and spending time with his wife and 3 kids.

Sarah Johnson, TweetCommunity Outreach Manager at TechGirlz

Biography: Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson started her IT career as a receptionist who asked why her company used pen and paper instead of a web application and ended up as the Manager of Technology. She learned web programming on the job with support from community tech user groups, eventually giving back to the same community by teaching with organizations like Girl Develop It and TechGirlz. After volunteering with TechGirlz as a teacher, committee member, and TechShopz Coach, Sarah was hired as the Community Outreach Manager, working to engage the community in and beyond Philadelphia to inspire girls to learn about technology.

Sarah's social life consists of organizing and attending technology-related events in the Philadelphia area. She is on the planning committee for the Women in Tech Summit, teaches workshops for Girl Develop It and various conferences, and has been an organizer of other civic engagement groups such as OpenAccessPHL.

When not attending or planning a tech event, Sarah can be seen in the skies, learning how to fly airplanes.

Twitter: @johnsons531

Tim Steele, TweetUI Architect on the R&D team at Benefitfocus

Biography: Tim Steele

Tim Steele is a UI Architect on the R&D team at Benefitfocus and has been building web applications and developing websites for almost 15 years. Tim’s portfolio spans simple HTML pages to architecting and developing single page applications. Tim also works with Bob Paulin on organizing and running the Devoxx4Kids Chicagoland branch, and uses his passion for teaching to grow the next generation of web developers. When not working with computers, Tim is attending North Central College, golfing, reading, and spending time with his wife and daughter.