Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

Where do YOU fit into the math, science or computer-science community?

Count Play Explore is making these topics accessible to everyone. And their content is fun, easy and free--for children ages birth to eight, their teachers and their families.

An initiative led by the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Early Care and Education Department, Count Play Explore offers playful math, science and computer science lessons.

And they start with storytelling or other fun activities.

Count Play Explore's website features more than 150 guides to children's books. These include lessons on money, problem solving, spatial thinking, geometry, life science and growth science.

In addition, there are videos, approximately two minutes each, of various everyday activities which can incorporate STEAM lessons.

"We want people to recognize that these things are fun to do, and you're doing them all the time," explains Fresno County Office of Education Director of STEM Education and Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Early Math Jonathan Dueck.

The goal, Jon says, is for all participants--students, parents and teachers--to see themselves as belonging in the areas of math, computer science and science.

"We want...people to have a good attitude about (these subjects) and not say things like, 'I'm not a math person,' or 'I'm just no good at science'," Jon says.

"Because we are. We are good at it; we just don't recognize how often we're taking advantage of the knowledge people see as 'everyday'."

On their website, Count Play Explore offers a tab with resources specifically for families, as well as one geared to educators. They also have a newsletter, to which everyone is welcome to subscribe.

In addition, they host training events, throughout the year, for educators--and in fact. for anyone who interacts with children. Many of these are free! One upcoming virtual event, "Early STEAM Fall Forum", is happening October 20th.

Jon shared the story of Count Play Explore, offered a closer look at some of their content and discussed what's coming next.

For AI and XR developer Andre "Dre" Smith, virtual reality, brain-computer interface technology and AI are artist's tools.

And to describe him as "prolific", would be an understatement. Dre is always

exploring, experimenting and creating something new at the edge of immersive computing.

Dre's projects include apps, immersive experiences, games and real-time neurofeedback systems.

One of his most intriguing current projects, Octobot, is a multiplayer experience in which players use a brain-computer interface to outsmart a robotic octopus!

But there's also the Zenquarium app, which transforms a room into an AI-powered reef. As well as Hydroverse, a free (and highly addictive!) game in which players pilot an armed speedboat and battle to be the last one floating in tropical waters. Plus Dre's work in immersive medical technology. And his "Gridiron Hangout" in Horizon World...the list goes on!

In addition, Dre works as an independent consultant, with clients creating something new at the edges of immersive computing.

Dre talked about his background, offered a closer look at some of his games and apps, and offered some guidance on the use of AI as a tool to enhance creativity.

As we celebrate Over Coffee®'s 500th episode, we've had a very enviable "problem".

Too many great guests, and great stories, to include everyone in ONE episode!

Consequently, here is our second installment of our Show 500 special.

Thank you again to all the incredible interview guests who generously took the time to share their stories, and we're looking forward to spotlighting many more creative innovators at the intersection of art and science.

"What are you going to do for Show 500?"

People were asking me that question, as Over Coffee® approached that number of episodes this year.

The answer was pretty easy. Without our incredible guests, the Over Coffee® podcast wouldn't exist.

So, here is both a retrospective, and an update on just a few of the amazing innovators who have starred in our show, over our years of production.

And a quick note--this is only a sampling, highlighting just some of the amazing creative guests with whom I've had the pleasure of speaking, so far.

As production continued through the summer, a fact quickly became clear: we had more audio than any one episode could comfortably cover.

Unless, of course, anyone wants to sit through a one-hour-plus episode--but we don't know anyone with that much time on their hands!

Accordingly, here is the first installment of Over Coffee®'s 500th episode. More to come, next week!

"I wish somehow to contribute to a better world," says Abeye Co-Founder and CEO Michael Kodochian.

And a number of students--and adults--would almost certainly agree that that's exactly what his Lexilens® technology is doing.

Michael started by inventing patented smart glasses, to help users with dyslexia read more smoothly. These glasses, Michael explains, work as a filter, correcting the brain's visual processing.

“It cleans the input (of information you're reading),” Michael says.

He is quick to point out that Lexilens® doesn't increase reading speed, nor distinguish letters.

What it does, though, is "clear" the input of the text the user reads, to allow them to acquire better reading capabilities. In effect, it can cancel out the "noise" of dyslexia.

And earlier this year, Abeye began shipping another new visual-processing technology in the U.S.: their Lexilens® LED monitor!

Expanding ease in reading

At the time of our conversation in January, Michael had just exhibited the monitor at CES® 2026. The new monitor, he explained, incorporated the Lexilens® technology. Users could comfortably and inconspicuously use the technology for work, school or at home without needing a hardware device.

Michael mentioned, at the time, that Abeye intended to make the new monitor available in the U.S. by March.

A quick check of their website shows that the monitor is now available for purchase!

This is going to continue to change some lives--and the world--for the better.

Michael shared the story of his smart-eyewear startup Abeye, explained how the technology works, and offered a closer look at some of the results he's seen, among users of his innovation.

As we wrap up production on a special-edition Over Coffee® episode, please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2023!

Class is once again in session with Jim Burnham, "The STEAM Clown". Or, as he describes himself, "a mad scientist in the classroom".

This semester, his students are going to be lighting things up, connecting sensors, designing a Rube Goldberg device...and, they may just create some fire-breathing robots along the way.

Technically, Jim is an award-winning Mechatronics Engineering Instructor at Silicon Valley CTE High School, in San Jose. Santa Clara County School District named him "Teacher of the Year" in 2019.

He is also an electronics engineer who holds two patents on his inventions and who spent more than 25 years in high-tech engineering positions, prior to his education career.

But those descriptions don't capture the elements of fun and passion which he brings to his classes.

Imagination, at play with engineering

"The first or second day, we're just going to sit down and build paper-airplane launchers," Jim says. of his orientation for new students each semester.

He also expands his students' imagination, as they get acclimated. First, he'll have the newcomers identify their "superpowers".

"Since my class is very physics-based, I...make them write down. how does it actually work?

"It's not just magic. What's the physics behind how your superpower works?"

And then, the following day, he'll have those students come up with engineering ways, if they were superheroes saving the world from that superpower, to defeat it!

Open source for learning

Jim shares a number of his classroom projects on his TikTok channel, and is currently planning to launch a newsletter for like-minded educators who want to expand access to STEAM lessons. The goal: a "collaboration forum" where others can work with him on some ideas he has in mind, making them available to be, as his website says, "freely used, modified and shared".

He also offers a link, on his website, for class visitors, who can access the material shared in his class on the day of their visit!

"I am a huge supporter of open source, Creative Commons kind of curricula," he says.

And he encourages anyone who can, to support local teachers as they create STEAM curricula: monetarily, but also by donating time and equipment.

Jim shared the story of his creative journey, offered a look inside his S.T.E.A.M. classroom and shared some of his favorite resources.

"I hated school until I was in about the fifth grade," says California Invention Convention Executive Director Brenda S. Payne.

But then, a gifted teacher showed her some of the ways that what happened in the classroom, could be relevant to her future.

That project-based learning, combined with some of her experiences visiting an older brother who worked in cutting-edge technology, led to her passion for invention education.

And as fall semester, 2026, gets started, now is a great time to spread the word about the California Invention Convention.

Guiding the invention process

Every school year, California Invention Convention offers a challenge to K-12 students from all across the state.

That challenge: find a problem that affects you, or your family--and come up with a solution. And research, as part of the process, whether someone else has already invented something to fix the problem.

If they have? Think of ways to improve on that particular solution.

Then, in spring, these young inventors get to take their projects out of the classroom.

Regional events in Northern and Southern California give them the opportunity to showcase their idea to a team of judges.

From there, the top Award Winners go on to the National competition, at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

Some of these young participants have wound up patenting their inventions. Some have been inspired to pursue careers in the areas they researched.

And all of them are learning vital communication and research skills.

Meanwhile, if a teacher or youth leader would like to know more about implementing an invention education curriculum, Brenda invites them to reach out.

California Invention Convention offers a 10-week training program with an Open Source curriculum. Provided by the 42-year-old Connecticut Invention Convention, this program is customizable to any subject. according to California Invention Convention's website. Areas which these lessons can cover include science, history, math, art and music.

As far as a time commitment goes, the program involves approximately one hour a week of in-school mentoring. Students complete additional work on their projects at home, often with parental assistance.

Then, at the conclusion of the program, students present their work to the group.

Brenda talked about her own educational journey, shared the story of the California Invention Convention and discussed some of the ways educators, parents and volunteers can get involved.

"I wish I was three people," says artist/worldbuilder and "Bee Queen" Sara "Tink" Mapelli.

"I would love that."

She's referencing all the opportunities she sees to create, learn and grow as an artist, both in physical and in immersive space.

Tink is the creator of Artopia, the first artist district in the Multiverse. She's also a gifted world builder in Meta Horizon Worlds, as well as an artist with her work on exhibit in her home studio in Washington.

And she is a community leader: every Tuesday at 8 am Pacific, she hosts free "Women of Wonder" meetings in VRChat. Attendees explore and learn emerging technologies together.

But she also has a unique creative medium.

As an energy realignment specialist, Tink performs dances with live bees.

The "queen" in her power

With thousands of live bees on her body, she enters a meditative state. Then, she responds to the motion of the bees as she dances for attendees.

She works with each person in the group, sometimes presenting her bees as she focuses on energy realignment.

"I think of bee dance as a duet among many," Tink says, on her website, of the live performances she has been doing since 2001.

She also sees a real parallel between her bees, pollinating the world, and creatives in the metaverse space, collaboratively creating magic.

"What if that was like a hive?" she asks.

"...Which cell am I going to explore? And then, each one of those has subdivisions, like groups of people doing things together.

"...To me, that's like the hive mind."

Tink talked about her creative journey, shared the story of her work as a bee dancer and offered a closer look at her worlds in the Multiverse.

Fine artist/educator Niklas Roy builds an invitation into his work.

That invitation: "Come and play. Enjoy being creative."

Niklas, who creates art with technology, specializes in interactive installations which center on a spirit of fun and discovery. His goal: to make art accessible to people from all walks of life.

The results tend to be highly engaging.

Currently, according to his YouTube channel, he's reimagining the traditional school bell. Students get to create and upload their own melodies. These get stored in an archive, and each time the bell rings, a physical instrument selects and plays one of these, randomly. In addition, Niklas writes, there's a custom "clock" on which the hands "dance" in time with the melodies.

A look at his website reveals almost-innumerable installations, centered around the same sense of fun and exploration.

A mini-robot, or "drawbot", equipped with a glittery parasol, draws on a whiteboard. A "Generative Art 1C" vending machine dispenses unique fine-art drawings when visitors insert one euro. A mechatronics game challenges participants to feed sushi to a popular fashion doll--which "eats" by extending an outsized tongue.

LED lights, bubbles, electronic music and vehicles which visitors can ride have all been components of Niklas' installations.

And his projects are open-source, encouraging makers to use their own creative talents!

"I believe in openness and accessibility, which is why I share each project's schematics, code, and documentation online—encouraging others to copy, remix, and build upon my work," Niklas writes, on his website.

He also enjoys sharing his talents in workshops and conference presentations. (His "About" page includes a link to his "Cardboard Computer Workshop".)

In this 2024 Over Coffee® interview, Niklas shares the story of his creative journey, takes us behind the scenes for a closer look at some of his installations and offers his advice to aspiring artists.

"I want it to be a place for women today, where we can meet and where we can support each other..." explained author Helen Lundstrom Erwin, in this 2023 interview.

We were discussing her pioneering metaverse space, The Foremothers Cafe. This is the first immersive space in the metaverse created by a historical novelist, based on a setting from her book!

Helen first envisioned the cafe in her novel Sour Milk in Sheep's Wool, set in Sweden in the late nineteenth century. The story explores her great-grandmother's experience as a single mother, against the background of women who were beginning to explore their options in creating a better world.

As Helen became involved in virtual reality, she realized that one of her locations--the cafe owned by main character Hanna, a women's rights activist--was perfect for an immersive world.

Paralleling the past, building the future

Like Hanna's cafe, the "Frog", The Foremothers Cafe is a space where women can meet to discuss current issues which affect their lives.

Unlike the Frog, though, The Foremothers Cafe, hosted on the ENGAGE platform, is a Swedish American women's museum and cultural center in VR. Attendees from all over the world, including men, as allies, are welcome.

One of Helen's goals is the dissolution of borders, as new friends meet in real time to share their cultures and ideas, and explore their roles in creating positive change.

Every Thursday at 11:00 am Pacific time, Helen hosts "fika" at the cafe. "Fika", she explains, is a Swedish word for "coffee break with something sweet to eat with friends".

In addition, she hosts a thought-provoking Community Discussion Series, featuring a new guest speaker every month.

Guests also get to learn about Swedish culture through special events such as the Lucia Festival, in December, and the Midsommar celebration.

A personal favorite, however, is the annual Foremothers Day, on November 30th, where guests honor the strong women in their own histories.

Honors and engagement

In the four years since its opening, The Foremothers Cafe has garnered some impressive accolades.

A 2026 Auggie Awards finalist for "Best Indie Creator", the cafe's honors also include a 2023 XR Women Awards nomination in the Trailblazing category, and Auggie Awards nominations in the "Best Social Impact" category in both 2024 and 2025.

However, her readers might easily nominate Helen for the "Can't-Put-It-Down" Award, if such an honor existed.

Her most recent novel, The Lure of Water and Wood, is a historical fantasy which explores two characters from Swedish mythology, from those characters' point of view. Like her previous books, it is seriously addictive.

Helen talked about her background as a storyteller, shared the story of her trailblazing virtual space, and explained her vision for the future.