What does the future hold for Chesterfield County Public Schools? A series of forums featuring dynamic speakers will offer information, pose questions and seek answers. Invited to attend these forums on the future are community members, business leaders, parents, teachers, students and school administrators. Taking place 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays this fall, the forums begin the process of updating the strategic plan of Chesterfield County Public Schools.
 
Admission to the forums is free; reservations are not required.
 
The schedule of speakers is available on the school division’s website, www.chesterfield.k12.va.us  .

The series kicks off on Oct. 20 ( see calendar below) with a presentation titled “A World Without Boxes.” A brick-and-mortar school isn’t the only place to learn. Online classes made it possible for Joel Erb to complete high school while running the marketing agency he founded when he was 15 and continues to lead today.
 
EDUCATION FORUM SCHEDULE:
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Oct. 20 • A World Without Boxes • 7-9 p.m. at Manchester High, 12601 Bailey Bridge Road • A brick-and-mortar school isn’t the only place to learn. Online classes made it possible for Joel Erb to complete high school while running the marketing agency he founded when he was 15 and continues to lead today.
 
Oct. 27 • Reaching the Stars Through STEM Education • 7-9 p.m. at Bird High, 10301 Courthouse Road • Explore space with astronaut Susan Kilrain and hear how she achieved her dream. She’ll cover obstacles, teachers who paved the way, out-of-this-world images and the importance of instruction in science, technology, engineering and math.
 
Nov. 3 • Education Must Be the Father of Invention • 7-9 p.m. at Monacan High, 11501 Smoketree Drive • Severe allergies inspired Monacan graduate Eric Edwards to find a better way to deliver life-saving medicine. Intelliject, the company he founded with his identical twin, produces innovative medical devices that are gaining widespread use.
 
Nov. 10 • Can World Peace Begin in Chesterfield? • 7-9 p.m. at Thomas Dale High, 3626 W. Hundred Road • Motivated by a creative approach to instruction, John Hunter’s fourth-grade students seek peaceful solutions to global problems. This award-winning Thomas Dale graduate will show how he prepares young people for their futures.
 
Nov. 17 • Trust But Verify: A Mantra for the 21st Century • 7-9 p.m. at James River High, 3700 James River Road • Classroom technology and how to learn in a world swirling with information are Dr. Karen Richardson’s topics. She is the executive director of the Virginia Society for Technology in Education and teaches at VCU and at the College of William and Mary.
 
Dec. 1 • Leading Change in Education • 7-9 p.m. at Clover Hill High, 13301 Kelly Green Lane • Change is inevitable, but what will change look like for our schools and our society? Dr. Michael Rao, president of VCU, will discuss academic expectations in a vibrant, urban university and building a supportive community.