The Seattle Times is launching an event series, LiveWire – Conversations that Spark Insight, kicking off with “The Case for Early Learning,” on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond.

The Seattle Times LiveWire is a new event series that features meaningful discussion about vital issues impacting our region and its people. The events bring together local and national experts for provocative conversations on key topics moderated by Seattle Times journalists.

Microsoft has partnered with The Seattle Times as the presenting sponsor for the first four events. Also partnering on the series as principal sponsor is the University of Washington. Additional sponsors are being sought. For information on sponsorships, contact Seattle Times Director of Corporate Marketing Suzanne Canino, at 206.652.6374 or at scanino@seattletimes.com.

The inaugural Seattle Times LiveWire event, “The Case for Early Learning,” will bring together brain scientists with expertise in learning that occurs from birth through age five, political leaders who are advocating voluntary, tax-supported universal preschool for all, and others with great expertise on the topic.

The forum, moderated by Seattle Times education reporter John Higgins, will explore:

• the benefits of early childhood education for children
• the implications for improving educational outcomes as children progress through school
•  thoughtful dialogue on how limited public tax resources are allocated across the entire education system
• choices citizens and elected officials may be forced to make with regard to those public tax resources

Among the presenters are:

Dr. Patricia Kuhl, University of Washington Endowed Chair, Bezos Family Foundation for Early Childhood Learning; Co-Director, UW Institute for Learning and Brain Science; Director, NSF Science Learning Center (LIFE); Professor, UW Department of Speech & Hearing Services

Dr. Andrew Meltzoff, University of Washington Job and Gertrud Tamaki Endowed Chair; Co-Director, UW Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences; Professor, UW Department of Psychology

Ron Peters, former Oklahoma state legislator, who introduced legislation to establish a public-private partnership to promote early-childhood education, former president of the Board of Directors of the Parent Child Center of Tulsa. Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to adopt universal preschool.

Rep. Ruth Kagi, (D), 32^nd Legislative District, Chair, Washington State House Early Learning and Human Services Committee

The Honorable Ed Murray, Mayor of Seattle, proponent, together with the Seattle City Council,  of The Seattle Preschool Program Levy, which will be on the ballot for Seattle voters in the November election

Anne Arnold, P-3 Director, Highline School District, tasked with leading and implementing the District’s strategic objective of ensuring that 95 percent of all students entering Kindergarten in 2013 and beyond meet or exceed standard in core subjects by third grade

LiveWire events are free to the public, though tickets are required. Learn more and register at livewire.seattletimes.com.

Follow LiveWire on Twitter: @LiveWireEvent

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