Dear Life Long Learner,
The EMMA/Nobel Experience Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person satellite event for Nobel Conference 57: Big Data REvolution at the Bordini Center in Appleton, WI. The main conference is still scheduled to be held at Gustavus Adolphus College on Oct. 5 and 6. If you would like to stream the live presentation, go to the Nobel Conference home page on the college’s website: https://gustavus.edu/events/nobelconference/2021/. This live stream will be available by clicking on the banner on the main page and no registration is needed.
The topic of Nobel Conference 58 will be Mental Health Equity in Young People, September 28-29, 2022.
We hope everyone stays safe and healthy during these uncertain times.
The Nobel Conference 57
The EMMA/Nobel Conference trip has changed for 2021. The conference will still be held by Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN, but the EMMA/Nobel Experience from the Fox Valley and Shawano will be held at a satellite location in Appleton.
Dates: October 5-6, 2021
The EMMA Nobel Education Fund
Vision: Multi-generational community exposure to cutting-edge science and its societal and moral impact.
Story: Ellen Mielke Moore Anderson (EMMA) was a teacher who lived in Two Harbors, MN and had a passion for intergenerational education. After several years of attending the annual Nobel Conference at Gustavus Adolphus College with students and fellow teachers, she encouraged her brother, Dr. John Mielke, to join her. John and Sally Mielke attended and were hooked. In 2008, they provided funds so that a small group of teachers and students could share in the experience, and in 2010 encouraged adult members of the community to add a
n additional intergenerational value to the experience. With the unfortunate passing of Ellen in 2011, the Mielke Family Foundation approved an annual gift to the EMMA Fund within AEF to honor her legacy via the continuation of this intergenerational opportunity for residents of the communities it supports (Appleton and Shawano). Ellen also left her own legacy by designating an additional annual gift to Two Harbors High School from the EMMA fund within the Mielke Family Foundation – so that all three communities can continue to participate and grow from this shared cultural experience.
Ninety-nine people attended the conference in 2019. Attendees include students and faculty from Appleton’s public and parochial high schools, Lawrence University, Fox Valley Technical College, the UW Oshkosh-Fox Cities, Shawano High School, and Two Harbors High School, as well as members of the Appleton Downtown Rotary Club and other interested community members from Appleton and Shawano.
To learn more about the Mielke Family and history of this trip, download this two-page handout.
Testimonials
“Everything was excellent. The conference was outstanding and the arrangements were perfect. I learned a great deal and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with our group members. I was especially proud of the students in our group. Thank you so much for including me.” – 2019 Nobel Conference attendee, community member
“Enlightening, energizing and inspiring describes my first experience at the EMMA/Nobel Conference in 2017. This intergenerational conference hosts thought leaders and researchers from our nation’s top ranked institutions as presenters. It’s a terrific opportunity for community members to learn more a topic they may not know much about, and it’s a chance to interact and share ideas with educators and students from the area. I’m looking forward to the next conference and encouraging friends to join me. Every detail of the trip is taken care of by the planning committee. The cost is so reasonable, the value so great!” – 2017 Nobel Conference attendee, community member
“Once again, thank you for generosity including the including the UW Fox students in the Emma/Nobel experience. The intellectual curiosity that stems from this experience is outstanding. Aside from the educational aspect, thank you for being such an inspiring couple – your generous nature, kind words, and active minds push me and remind me to be a better person. I hope my husband and I can have the relationship you two demonstrate!” – 2017 Nobel Conference attendee, post-secondary educator
“The Nobel Conference meant so much to me. This was the first time I ever went on a trip without my family. It was very neat to get to know other people and to room with someone I knew. I am no longer scared of going on a trip without my mom and dad! It was amazing to see the speakers and learn from them! I enjoyed every bit of this trip. Thank you so much.” – 2017 Nobel Conference attendee, student
“Having the ability to listen to these people who are the top in their field was amazing. I even got to have conversations with some of the community members, high schoolers, and students from my own class that I never would have been able to without this trip.” – 2015 Nobel Conference attendee from UW-Fox Valley
“My experience at the Nobel Conference was a once in a lifetime opportunity, from start to finish. Traveling to a new state to listen to the brightest in their field with a great teacher and peers. Everything was such an enjoyable experience.” – 2015 Nobel Conference attendee from UW-Fox Valley
Learn More
Since 2008, 961 students, educators, and community members have participated in this unique experience that is as much about the bus ride and camaraderie as it is about the Nobel learning. In 2012, a committee of past attendees came together to help John and Sally organize this event, again to ensure that the legacy of this dynamic experience can continue long into the future.
Watch a video created by a UW Oshkosh-Fox Cities student detailing the history of the EMMA Nobel Conference trip.
To learn how to participate in this community event, contact the AEF office at 920-832-1517 or email.
For more information about the 2021 Conference – including presenters, schedule, past conferences, the Nobel Conference Vision and more – visit the Nobel Conference website.
