Next Week in Edutainment | February 5 - February 8
We connect students around the world to primary source experts from a wide variety of topics and subjects. For more information, visit edutainmentlearning.com.
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Colonel Mike Mullane is an engineer and weapon systems officer, a retired USAF officer, and a former NASA astronaut. In the Air Force, he was a Weapon Systems Operator aboard RF-4C Phantom aircraft, and he completed 134 combat missions in Vietnam. During his career as an astronaut, Colonel Mullane was selected as a Mission Specialist in 1978 in the first group of Space Shuttle Astronauts. He completed three space missions aboard the Shuttles Discovery (STS-41D) and Atlantis (STS-27 & 36) before retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1990. Additionally, Mike Mullane has authored several critically acclaimed books and videos.
WHEN: Monday, February 5 (1:00 P.M. ET)
Adam Jablin is a highly sought-after performance and life coach, corporate consultant, and keynote speaker. Adam has helped thousands of people over the years experience a joy for living even while under pressure or difficulty. His unique positive energy, compassion, and gift to relate to others has influenced people from all walks of life, including leaders in the fields of health, psychology, entertainment, sports, business, and politics as well as helping everyday folks fighting fears to unleash their hidden Superman.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 6 (1:00 P.M. ET)
Mike Diamond is an Author, Television Personality, Director, Life Coach and Interventionist. Known for his work on the hit TV shows NY Ink and Bondi Ink Tattoo Crew, which is currently nominated for a Logie Award for Best Reality Series. Although immensely successful in a multitude of industries, Mike has persevered through his own adversities. This helped lead him to becoming a published author. In his books, Mr. Diamond taps into his own history to offer profound insights and inspiring wisdom to his audience. This ability has attracted a large following who eagerly immerse themselves in his wisdom, embarking on a path toward self-enhancement and empowerment. In his commitment to aiding those who gravitate towards him, he has unveiled a fresh literary creation titled "A Dose of Positivity," which complements his earlier work, "7 Steps to Forge an Indomitable Mindset." In this discussion with the students, Mike will discuss the power of remaining positive during difficult times.
WHEN: Thursday, February 8 (1:00 P.M. ET)
Recipient of the Academy’s prestigious 2018 Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, the Producers Guild of America Milestone Award, and an eight-time Academy Award®-nominee, Kathleen Kennedy is one of the most successful and respected producers in the film industry today. As President of Lucasfilm, she oversees the company’s three divisions: Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound. Kennedy was the producer of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), the highest grossing domestic feature of all time, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the number one grossing movie in 2016. She went on to produce Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), the highest grossing movie worldwide in 2017, as well as Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Kennedy has recently executive produced the Emmy Award-winning The Mandalorian series (2019-present) that launched the Disney+ platform as well as The Book of Boba Fett (2021), Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022), Willow (2022) Andor (2022), and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). She is currently producing all of Lucasfilm’s live action titles in production, including Andor Season 2, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Skeleton Crew and multiple Star Wars features.
Kennedy has produced or executive produced more than 70 feature films, which have collectively garnered 120 Academy Award nominations and 25 wins. Among her credits: Jurassic Park, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, The Sixth Sense, the Back to the Future trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Gremlins, The Goonies, Poltergeist, Empire of the Sun, Lincoln, War Horse, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Schindler’s List, The Color Purple, and The Adventures of Tintin.
Kennedy has produced the films of such directors as Steven Spielberg, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Robert Zemeckis, JJ Abrams, Julian Schnabel, Marjane Satrapi, M. Night Shyamalan, Frank Oz, Peter Bogdanovich, and Richard Donner.
Kennedy recently received the Fellowship Award, the highest honor that the British Academy of Film and Television Arts can bestow. She is also the recipient of the distinguished CBE award (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) and was elected Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees. Aside from her executive and producer roles, she was one of the founding Council Members of Hollywood Commission to Eliminate Sexual Harassment and Advance Equality and is currently on the board of the LA Promise Fund, Library of America, and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.
Prior to joining Lucasfilm in 2012, Kennedy headed The Kennedy/Marshall Company, which she founded in 1992 with director/producer Frank Marshall. In 1981 she co-founded the phenomenally successful Amblin Entertainment with Marshall and Steven Spielberg.
WHEN: Friday, February 9 (2:00 P.M. ET)
Edutainment Podcast
Our podcast features bi-weekly episodes that are uploaded to all major streaming platforms. Each episode comes with a downloadable student worksheet to accompany the listening portion!
On June 1st 2023, Jenn Drummond summited Mount Logan, completing her quest to become the first woman in history to climb the Seven Second Summits. Her journey of setbacks and triumphs is inspiring to millions worldwide attempting to accomplish their own audacious goals. Jenn Drummond achieved business success as the founder and CEO of a thriving financial services company. Her move to Park City, Utah, with her kids fed her family’s passion for everything outdoors, from hiking and biking to skiing and mountain climbing. But on a snowy evening in 2018, Jenn’s life was knocked off its tracks. She was in a horrific car accident that rought her inches from death. All the authorities and experts agreed that she shouldn't have survived, yet somehow, she did. In the aftermath of that brush with death, it became crystal clear to Jenn that while she can't control when she DIES, she-and the rest of us- can choose how we LIVE. Jenn’s confrontation with death imbued her with vigor, enthusiasm, and commitment for full engagement in life. Now–more than ever, she is focused on becoming an inspiration, guide, and cheerleader not just for her own children, but for ALL OF US. She now spends her time inspiring others to live a life of significance. Her book Breakproof: 7 Strategies to Build Resilience and Achieve Your Life Goals, shares her story and strategies for success.
Governor Bush was the 43rd governor of the state of Florida, serving from 1999 through 2007. During his two terms, Governor Bush remained true to his conservative principles, cutting taxes, vetoing earmarks, and championing major reform of government programs. Under his leadership, Florida was on the forefront of consumer healthcare advances, led the nation in job growth, and launched and accelerated restoration of America's Everglades. In education, Florida raised academic standards, required accountability in public schools and created the most ambitious school choice programs in the nation. As a result, Florida students have made the greatest gains in academic achievement and Florida is one of a handful of states to significantly narrow the achievement gap. Prior to and after his tenure as Florida's chief executive, Governor Bush has been actively involved in the private sector, helping to build the largest full service real estate company in South Florida and owning and operating successful consulting and investing businesses. Governor Bush is also the Chairman and Founding Partner of Finback Investment Partners which is a private equity firm that takes active minority interest in middle market and growth-stage companies. Governor Bush maintains his passion for improving the quality of education for students by serving as the chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a national non-profit organization he founded to work with education leaders, teachers, parents, and advocates to develop and implement reforms that lead to rising student achievement. Governor Bush has written three books, Profiles in Character; Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution; and Reply All: A Governor's Story 1999-2007. Governor Bush lives in Miami with his wife Columba. They have three children and five grandchildren.
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