A day at NextFest makes you think about how far technology has already taken us …and, maybe more importantly, how many exciting possibilities are still waiting to emerge.

From the next generation of space exploration to a shirt that can send a virtual hug to a loved one from your cell phone, there are so many things to see for the first time here that could become part of everyday life before we know it.

It’s great to see the schools in the NYC area taking advantage of this technology showcase event. There have been a lot of kids and teachers in attendance.

I’ve been working at GE’s Cleaner Coal IGCC display. It’s been a riot watching the kids play the video game we created to explain the Cleaner Coal process! (Coming soon to GE Energy’s website…) My favorite was the fifth grader who made up a little song about fighting pollution.

Everyone’s interest in this technology and enthusiasm for a way for power producers can generate cleaner electricity from coal has been impressive, and their questions have been very thoughtful. Still, I was a bit surprised some of the kids were drawing diagrams of the IGCC process instead of watching robots …until one of their teachers explained IGCC may show up as a question on a pop quiz.