How'd You Think of That? with Temple Grandin

Mimi Lufkin is an educator and advocate who served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity for more than twenty years. NAPE is dedicated to increasing student access, educational equity, and workforce diversity. Grandin and Lufkin discuss the many ways to help students build STEM skills and access STEM careers.

 Susan Barry is a Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences and Professor Emeritus of Neuroscience and Behavior at Mount Holyoke College and the author of two books, Fixing My Gaze: A Scientist's Journey into Seeing in Three Dimensions and Coming to Our Senses: A Boy Who Learned to See, A Girl Who Learned to Hear, and How We All Discover the World. Barry was dubbed Stereo Sue by neurologist and author Oliver Sacks in a 2006 New Yorker article.  

Kyle Dawson is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Utah. He studies the structure, origin, and evolution of the universe through observation using telescopes, spectroscopy, and other tools. He is part of an international team of hundreds of scientists who are creating the largest 3D map of the universe. The goal is to learn more about dark energy, which makes up most of today's universe.

Dr. David Sands is a former professor of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology. In addition to his teaching, mentoring, and many publications, Dr. Sands has contributed to plant pathology & bacteriology across the globe for decades. His work has included protecting crops in Kenya from their (and Africa's) worst weed (Striga), using a local, and non-gmo, enhanced fungus, sending omega-3 microgreen seeds to space, and bio-control of weeds in Montana and elsewhere.

In this episode, Temple Grandin interviews Ruthe Farmer, CEO and Founder of the Last Mile Education Fund. Previously, Farmer served as the Senior Policy Advisor for Tech Inclusion at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy focusing on President Obama’s call to action for Computer Science for All, as well as serving as Chief Strategy & Growth Officer and K-12 Alliance Director at the National Center for Women & Information Technology. Farmer is an advocate for equity in education, and has championed computer science education initiatives across the country for two decades.

Dr. Jared Ashcroft is a professor of Chemistry at Pasadena City College and the principal investigator of the Micro Nano Technology Education Center in Pasadena. The MNT-EC is dedicated to increasing the number of professor participating in micro- and nanotechnology education, and expanding the number of students qualified to work in this quickly-growing field.  Dr. Ashcroft's research focuses on the interconnection between nanotechology and medical diagnostics and imaging. In addition, his current study focuses on the effective use of distance learning tools for STEM education. 

Maya Ajmera is the President and CEO of Society for Science and Publisher of its award-winning magazine, Science News. Founded in 1921, the Society works to promote the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. The Society is best known for its world-class science competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and Broadcom MASTERS. Maya is also the Founder of The Global Fund for Children (GFC), a nonprofit organization that invests in innovative, community-based organizations working with some of the world’s most vulnerable children and youth. Maya is the recipient of the 2020 National Science Board Public Service Award, recognized for her tremendous contribution to increasing the public’s understanding of STEM.

Erin Krier is a professor of Agriculture at Allan Hancock College, and is working on broadening participation in Plant/Agriculture Biotechnology. With support from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education program, she is focused on increasing the participation of individuals from Hispanic communities in plant/agricultural biotechnology. The project has potential to diversify the STEM technical workforce and ensure that students of color become members of the next generation of scientists.

Walter Holemans is an inventor and engineer, and the founder of Planetary Systems Corporation. His invention, the Lightband Separation System, has been used in over 50 satellite missions. The Lightband is a more efficient way of separating satellites from rockets than traditional systems. He has over two dozen patents, and takes inspiration from everything from car-trunk latches to historical tapestries.