Hands-On Techie Talks

Where did those mysterious seed packets come from that were appearing on people's doorsteps last year?  Why did one brand's plantable seed packaging disappear from stores altogether, leaving a giant space where it used to be? In this episode, we solve these mysteries together and uncover a larger theme of invasive species and why what we plant and where matters. Co-hosts Danielle Boyer and Vinaya Gunasekar also discuss what it is like to be a sustainable designer and uncover how where your products go can mean the difference between a design being helpful or harmful. 

Have you ever wondered what sustainable packaging is and why it matters? In this episode of Hands-On Techie Talks, learn all about how plants have aided in the development of innovative packaging that is meant to support our Earth. Hear co-hosts Danielle Boyer and Vinaya Gunasekar discuss sustainable buying and all about the choices that they have to make as designers and innovators. 

We have returned to learning about plants and growth, this time through the lens of microbiology and science! Hear all about what our co-hosts have been up to with FIRST Robotics and a trip to Seattle to bring diverse STEAM role models to kids like you. Learn about Dr. Subha Srinivasan on the DNA inside of plants from student researcher Varun Sridhar, a board member at The STEAM Connection, and hear all about the power of food, forestry, agriculture! This episode also includes a very special shoutout to our awesome listener Sofia Lopez. 

In this two-part episode, our co-hosts record together for the very first time at The STEAM Connection headquarters. Co-hosts Danielle Boyer and Vinaya Gunasekar record this episode with their masks on and surrounded by lots of robots. During this episode, we get to learn more about Auto Oscar and its "crazy fun wacky" design elements, like wheel leaves featuring Sticky Notes! We also get to meet a toilet paper tube robot by Danielle that has "binocular vibes" and sports a top hat. Hear our co-hosts chat about all things Shrek (?!!), feeling good about yourself, and a new invention in the mix. This is a crazy episode that you don't want to miss! You can see an exclusive picture of Auto Oscar on our Instagram at @steamconnection.

In this two-part episode, our co-hosts record together for the very first time at The STEAM Connection headquarters. Despite living in the same city, Danielle Boyer and Vinaya Gunasekar have never recorded a podcast episode together because of the pandemic. During a photo shoot for a new podcast cover, though, that changed as the girls record an episode with their masks on and surrounded by lots of robots. During this episode, we get to meet an exciting new robot named Auto Oscar, designed by Vinaya, that cleans up recyclables off of school floors and talks to you. Learn more about the prototyping and design process and next week tune in to learn more about how you can make your own robots. You can see an exclusive picture of the robot and more about the design process on our Instagram at @steamconnection.

Last week, we released our first post-Earth Day reflection with our co-hosts Danielle Boyer and Vinaya Gunasekar. This week, we are back with our second and final part! This episode is all about kindness, health, treating others and yourself with love, and self-care by doing what you enjoy! Our hosts talk about their love for designing and making, all about eating candy in moderation and how to treat your body kindly, and how their parents have crazy juicing habits!

Our last two episodes focused on Earth Day and how to celebrate it and on different types of environmental activism. This week, we look at the first part in a two part episode on post-Earth Day reflections with our co-hosts Danielle Boyer and Vinaya Gunasekar and discover how they celebrated Earth Day.  We also get to hear about their inventions, what they are currently creating to help others, sustainable design tips, and so much more. Next week, we will hear part two. It is all about kindness and health! 

Earth Day is fast approaching and our co-hosts Danielle Boyer and Vinaya Gunasekar decide to celebrate by chatting about all things environmental activism. They discuss different types of activism, environmental issues to care about, and actionable steps to take to help others no matter how young you may be. Also, for the very first time, our episode has an "after the episode" feature that shows behind-the-scenes footage of Danielle and Vinaya talking about everything from singing badly to bubblegum currency. We hope you laugh as much as we did. Happy Earth Day, everyone!

Earth Day is a yearly and exciting opportunity to have our voices in environmental action heard by the world. Learn from Danielle Boyer on how to celebrate Earth Day in style with resources that will help you help others, educate yourself, and have fun.  Whether it be attending a virtual event or taking a fun quiz, make sure to get involved and to learn something new.

Learn about hydroponics in our continuation of our growth mini-series that focuses on all things plants with our young co-hosts Danielle Boyer and Vinaya Gunasekar. Listen to them delve into different types of hydroponics, how NASA grows plants in space, and why caring for our Earth, those around us, and ourselves matters.