In the ever-evolving world of STEM education, Jay Jessen stands out as a symbol of leadership and transformation. As the Director of the Marburger STEM Center at Lawrence Technological University (LTU), he has shaped the futures of thousands of students and emerged as a thought leader in the field. His career, driven by a passion for hands-on learning and the belief that STEM is for everyone, reflects the power of inclusive, community-driven educational initiatives. From an early age, Jessen’s introduction to STEM was far from conventional. While many of his peers received video games or popular trading cards, he asked for microscopes, chemistry kits, and other STEM related toys. He was encouraged to go outside and explore, to build, and be creative. This early encouragement from his parents sparked a lifelong passion for discovery. “I was lucky to have people around me who fostered my curiosity,” he reflects. “I never had to ask permission to pursue what interested me

Simeon, a leading innovator in classroom audio amplification and assistive listening technology, is set to launch the world’s first classroom sound field system with Auracast, Bluetooth’s new broadcast audio standard. The Audita III, debuting in late 2025, moves beyond brand specific transmitters to a single global standard that simplifies audio management and adapts to every student’s needs. “Our mission has always been to level the playing field for students with hearing loss, giving them the same opportunity to participate as their peers,” says Jason Rude, president. “That mission has guided each step forward, including our systems already in classrooms today.” Simeon’s current Audita II systems make classrooms more inclusive by evenly carrying a teacher’s voice across the room and linking directly with hearing aids and cochlear implants. But Audita II achieves this through brand-tied accessories such as the Oticon EduMic, the Phonak Roger transmitter or the Cochlear MultiMic. In classrooms where students use different brands, multiple devices must be connected and managed. The setup is effective but often cumbersome in practice. Audita III changes that. The introduction of Auracast removes the need for manufacturer-dependent transmitters altogether. No matter the brand, one broadcast standard will reach every hearing aid and cochlear implant. A universal broadcast standard now delivers what once demanded splitters, custom wiring and multiple mics. The result is a classroom that is easier to manage, more reliable for teachers and fully inclusive for students. The impact is felt at every level. Students with hearing loss receive precise ear-level amplification and equal footing in discussions. Their peers benefit as pass-around microphones ensure that every voice is projected through the sound field system while simultaneously streamed directly into hearing devices, removing the hesitation from missing part of the conversation. Teachers avoid the strain of projecting their voices all day, relying instead on a lightweight pendant transmitter that carries speech naturally through the system. For schools, the shift means lower costs, less IT complexity and technology that remains relevant well into the future. .

High school guidance has a math challenge and AI can help. Families need support all year long but schools are only in session 180 days a year. In addition, for generations, students and families navigating the college and career process have struggled with uncertainty, confusion, and stress. College affordability, AI and job disruption is putting this into overdrive. The stakes are increasing, and reliable guidance has often been accessible only to those who could afford costly private counseling. College Guidance Network (CGN) was created to change that reality. By pairing the power of AI with the wisdom of hundreds of national experts, CGN has built a unique counseling solution designed to support families, schools, and colleges at every step of the journey. CGN AI is different from ChatGPT on many levels. It is trained by experts and gives relevant handouts in responses the way a real counselor would do. Personalized starter questions, library of AI college and career tools, and integration into a personalized project plan all make CGN AI best in class. AI Trained by Top Experts: At the center of CGN’s platform is Eva, its AI counseling assistant that draws on the knowledge of more than 400 leading experts, including well-known figures such as Malcolm Gladwell, Sal Khan of Khan Academy, and Angela Duckworth, author of Grit. It also incorporates the insights of college presidents, education policy leaders, and industry executives who understand both the present and future of work. Through this collective expertise, Eva provides families with trustworthy, nuanced guidance that stands apart in a crowded field. What makes Eva powerful is the way rigorous training meets real-world range, allowing it to move seamlessly from workplace dilemmas to personal struggles. No single guidance counselor can match its breadth. Eva helps families manage five core areas that define the postsecondary journey, including admissions strategy, financial aid and affordability, career pathways, parent-teen communication, and the impact of AI on future jobs. From choosing where to apply to understanding how technology will reshape career choices, Eva offers personalized starter questions, insights that are timely, comprehensive and relevant, and a suite of AI tools like a college list builder, job interview coach, and essay feedback tool. .