Theme: Chain Reaction

Innovation connects with others to evolve, develop, and grow in ever-continuing chain reactions. TEDxMissouriS&T invites you to celebrate the dynamic nature of innovation at Chain Reaction on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at Leach Theatre in Rolla, MO.

Our speakers will share how they’ve transcended foundations to connect their work across barriers and horizons. Most importantly, our innovators seek to spread ideas and inspire you to discover how you can launch your own innovations. We invite you to see how you can be a part of the next great chain reaction!

Leach Theatre
103 Castleman Hall
400 W. 10th St.
Rolla, Missouri, 65409
United States

Carmel Dare

Culinary Instructor

Carmel Dare is a culinary instructor at Rolla Technical Institute and is passionate about the information she conveys and the student chefs she works with every day. The face of food insecurity is everywhere, learning how to spot that face and help without judgment is her passion. Chef Dare is a wife to Kyle, a mother to Abby, Nathan, and bonus daughter Anna, and a fierce friend, sister, daughter and educator.

Chanita Jones

Educator

Chanita Jones is an educator by nature and by trade. Rooted in the core belief that each human being is an individual expression of a Divine Power, Chanita works in varying capacities to help people recognize and realize their highest potential. With over 15 years of service in schools, Chanita has become a passionate advocate for transformation in public education. Believing that none of us are the same, and all of us are exceptionally valuable, Chanita envisions a model for education that replaces what she calls, the current standard of standardization, with a universal standard of individualization.

Devin Burns

Associate Professor of Cognitive Psychology

Dr. Devin Burns is an associate professor of cognitive psychology at Missouri S&T, where his research touches on decision-making, augmented perception, and human-robot interaction. He enjoys all of the great outdoor activities available in the Ozarks!

Evan Johnson

Author and CEO of Utopian Medicine, Inc.

Dr. Evan Johnson returns to his home state of Missouri after traveling the world, living in the Jungles, exploring cultures, connecting with different eco-villages/conscious communities, and meeting some of the world's most inspirational people. In his talk, he’ll explain what it takes to become the medicine, the power of healing genetic trauma, and how your unique experience, is your unique medicine! He brings radical experiences, new paradigms of living, and expansive belief systems that bridge culture, and medicine, and making the world a better place. Dr. Evan comes to us with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, a Doctorate Degree Of Chiropractic, and a Self-Proclaimed Master's Degree in Intimacy, Men's Work & Authentic Relating.

Garry "Smitty" Grubs

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Grubbs is an associate professor of chemistry at S&T. He was inspired by a teacher to pursue science and was a first-generation college student. He participated in the US Dept. of Education’s TRiO Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs at the University of North Texas which helps students who are first-generation and/or low-income. This is where his interest in science continued to grow while he also learned the tools needed to go to college. In 2001, he was named a Terry Scholar and received a full tuition scholarship to Texas A&M University. He is currently a husband and father to a family of four with a dog.

Michelle Schwartze

Assistant Teaching Professor of Teacher Education

Education has been a passion of Dr. Schwartze as evidenced by her nineteen years as an educator. She spent thirteen of those years teaching middle school, ranging from grades five to eight, and the last six years as an assistant teaching professor for pre-service teachers. Schwartze’s talk will cover ways that education has dealt with current events and how COVID-19 is impacting education today, specifically in the area of teacher shortage. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Rachel Kohman

Director of Kummer Student Programs

Dr. Rachel Kohman is the director of Kummer Student Programs at Missouri S&T. From her doctoral studies to the ways she facilitates experiences for students, Rachel has a passion for Adaptive Leadership. Through her work as a student affairs professional, doctoral studies, and personal experiences, Rachel has developed an ongoing curiosity to find creative ways to challenge the theories of leadership being defined as an authority role. She loves helping people consider and apply new ways to act in leadership and finds fulfillment in supporting change for the common good.