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

Journalist,ocean advocate and adventurer Ashlan Cousteau uses her storytelling talents to deliver a serious message.But she sees no reason why that message can't be fun, while educating and inspiring.Ashlan is Chief Impact Officer of Hidden Worlds, a new immersive experience which uses a combination of art, technology and conservation to take visitors on an excursion through the ocean. Attendees have their choice of a dining experience (with a menu planned so you can "eat for the ocean!"), a family-friendly daytime journey or an evening, adults-only immersive oceanic lounge.And the goal is to show them the ocean's inspiring beauty while they're being entertained--and motivate them to take action to care for our planet. Ashlan says she would like people to start thinking "restoration", not "sustainability", when it comes to the ocean. There are ways, she explains, that we can take action to change what's currently happening--and even to restore some of the ecosystems we've lost.And Hidden Worlds, which will be coming to a permanent venue in 2024, is just one of many projects in which Ashlan is involved, along with her husband, filmmaker/ocean explorer Philippe Cousteau. In all of these, she says, her goal is not to "scold" people for doing the "wrong thing" and harming the environment--but to offer new ways we can take action and save our planet.

"We don't have enough STEM education for adults. And I want to solve this problem," says Nanit Robotics (https://nanitrobot.com/en/) Founder Vladyslav Konov,That's why his Nanit Robot educational kit, while a lot of fun, isn't strictly for kids. "Big kids" are welcome to learn with it too.And Vlad's ongoing innovations include creating a smart-home version of his Nanit Robot for adults. He also says one of his next goals is to record a video book, to help everyone learn robotics.Vlad shared the story of Nanit Robotics, explained some of the ways the kit can be used and offered a closer look at a future in which robotics can facilitate bringing ideas to life.

Every January, nonprofit Global Game Jam® hosts the world's largest game-creation event.For 48 hours, participants meet in person, online or in a hybrid mix of the two. And the emphasis is on collaboration and building the game-development community, globally.Participants from all over the world contribute their skills. Nontechnical team members are welcome. And in fact, the games don't have to be digital!Unlike many other hackathons, Global Game Jam® is not a competition. All but two of the hosting staffers are volunteers, and GGJ runs a concurrent event, GGJ Next, to teach the next generation of game developers to make digital games.Global Game Jam® Executive Director Tim Cullings is a veteran game developer and a longtime GGJ staff member. We talked about the story of GGJ, Tim's experiences in the 2023 Global Game Jam® (in which teams from all over the world made more than 7,600 games!) and what's coming up for GGJ 2024: the dates have already been announced!

(The following post and podcast are not, in any way, affiliated with, nor endorsed by, NASA.)"It's totally not practical to think you're going to grow up and be an astronaut," says U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Anne C. McClain. "I mean, who does that?"But that was Anne's dream, from the time she went to preschool. And today, she is both a highly-decorated Army Aviator and one of eighteen NASA astronauts currently in training for the Artemis missions to the moon.Anne was one of eight candidates selected for NASA's 21st astronaut class in June, 2013. So far. she has spent 204 days in space. Her most recent experiences included serving as Flight Engineer on the International Space Station during Expedition 58 and 59. During that time, she also spent more than 13 hours as lead space walker on two spacewalks.We talked about Anne's background, daily life aboard the ISS and some of the considerations involved in spaceflight, as well as her work in selecting space suits for the upcoming Artemis Moon missions.

Would you like to experience life undersea among the Arctic fjords? And not as a visitor, but as a regular denizen of the area? Not to mention learning to interact as a member of the community in which you belong?With the new VR game, Found in the Fjords, all of that is possible.XR developer and educator Dr. Louise Edwards, ocean storyteller/speaker Tiffany Duong and emerging tech designer Aya Walraven have partnered on this experience--which is much more than, simply, "a game". Currently one of 20 semi-finalists in the UN's"Metaverse for the SDGs" competition, Found in the Fjords may well change your perspective on orca as you navigate the world and culture of "Nora", while she learns the culture and customs of her pod.Louise and Tiff shared the story of creating "Found in the Fjords", talked about what players can experience and offered a preview of what's next!

Nonprofit independent robotics innovation hub MassRobotics is showing the world that robotics really are for everyone. Especially those of us in the arts! As MassRobotics prepares for their sixth annual Robot Block Party, RoboBoston, Co-Founder and Chief of Operations Joyce Sidopoulos and STEM Program Manager Kevin Smith offer a preview of this special event, and a closer look at MassRobotics' work as they share their creative journeys as robotics and education professionals.

Real-time live theater in virtual reality? That's exactly what Ferryman Collective produces. And some audience members have been inspired to rethink their lives after experiencing the shows. Founding members Deirdre V. Lyons and Stephen Butchko discuss their creative journey, their current shows and what's next!

Over Coffee® is on one-week hiatus as we troubleshoot a tech issue. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2022.

(Images courtesy of Andrew Wright, and used with permission.)

Before "AI" became a buzzword, EDUmetaverse creator Andrew Wright was putting it to use.

Andrew has created more than 100 virtual worlds for educator use. Sixty of these, he emails, currently have curricula. Educational institutions can either rent the worlds for virtual field trips, or hire Andrew to teach virtual lessons in one or more of his worlds.

Where might students get to go in EDUmetaverse? Try Mars...ancient Rome...a treehouse...under the sea...a working farm...a butterfly sanctuary...

While these activities engage the young participants, they're also learning several different subjects at once. Even though they may not realize that they're learning!

"I try to blend in lots and lots of different lessons, all into one world," Andrew explains.

An exciting aspect of EDUmetaverse, is the ways in which it allows students from all over the world to collaborate on creative projects. One project, the butterfly sanctuary, includes images contributed by students on four different continents!

Plus, Andrew adds, his own students are always asking, "Can you build a...?", and he rises to the challenge.

During our earlier conversation, in November, 2022, Andrew explained some of the ways he and his students are using artificial intelligence as a starting point for exploring creativity.

Specifically, we talked about the three rotating art galleries which Andrew has included in EDUmetaverse. Students work with AI to come up with new ideas and images. Some of the insights that result can be surprising. (We may never think the same way about the "Red Riding Hood" story!)

Andrew has also sent a link to the "AI Yeti Adventure" gallery, to which you can connect here.

Building worlds in VR is addictive, Andrew says. But he's quick to add that he didn't start as a worldbuilding expert.

"If I can do this, anyone can," he comments, before sharing some of the resources that helped him on his journey.

During our conversation, we talked about Andrew's creative journey with EDUmetaverse, the ways students are learning in these virtual worlds, and how AI is augmenting the learning process.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

* How Andrew first became inspired to become an innovator in the field of education;

* The story of EDUmetaverse;

* Andrew’s experiences as a first-time learner with a popular world building software;

* What you’ll experience when you come into EDUmetaverse;

* A preview of one of the virtual worlds;

* How historical figures are represented through AI art;

* Some projects in which students collaborated and learned through AI art;

* A look at headsets versus desktops (EDUmetaverse is set up to be accessible through desktops in order to be more ...

"It's the community that really hangs it all together," says Jim Berry, of Robot Garden.

Jim, who is both treasurer and Head Maker in this nonprofit community workshop, is also a drone pilot. As pandemic restrictions lift, he's seeing Robot Garden rebuild its level of community among makers, educators, startups, students and hobbyists.

Robot Garden may be the world's first robot-themed maker space. With classes, workshops and community "fix-it clinics", they're introducing the next generation of creators to the skills needed for a future job market.

Since they're located at Livermore Municipal Airport, Jim says, part of Robot Garden's rental agreement is their emphasis on drones and aviation. However, a number of other robot-focused projects are happening, as well. Among the participants are nonprofit community organizations like Explorer Posts, as well as tech startups--not to mention parents and kids learning together.

Like to support them? If you're local to the area, they'd like some volunteers for their free "fix-it clinics" and other community activities. High school students are especially encouraged, as they mentor and teach technical skills to the next generation.

And if you'd like to see something fun, check out the videos of their Mars rovers, on their YouTube channel!

Jim talked about his experience with Robot Garden, explained their setup and current activities and shared his vision for the future.

On this edition of Over Coffee we cover:

* How Jim first became involved in robotics;

* What led to his interest in drones;

* The story of Robot Garden;

* An imaginary "walk" through the facility;

* What one of the startups plans to accomplish with drones;

* Some of the types of 3D printing involved in robot creation;

* Current trends with 3D printing in the aviation industry;

* A closer look at the different types of robots and robot-related activities at Robot Garden;

* Some of the pros and cons of AI;

* How their community is preparing youth for the careers of the future;

* The story behind the origin of a tool commonly used in creating robots;

* The "arts" aspect of robot creation;

* One project which illustrates this concept!;

* How Jim makes robotics relatable to people who feel they "aren't technical";

* What he's considered the most "fun" part of his work at Robot Garden in the past six months;

* Upcoming activities at Robot Garden;

* Robot-related resources for anyone not in the immediate area;

* A vision for the future.

What does "metaverse" really mean?

More importantly--what can it mean in your life?

Especially if you're not a "technical" person? Or, alternately, if you have some knowledge of the technologies and want to take the next steps in putting them to work for you?These are some of the questions which strategic business consultant, keynote speaker and educator Samantha G. Wolfe addresses in her new book: Metaversed: See Beyond the Hype.

Sam, as she prefers to be called, is both the Founder of New York technology consultancy firm PitchFWD and an adjunct professor at NYU.

In Metaversed, which she co-authored with Luis Bravo Martins, Sam offers both a clear definition of the term "metaverse", and a series of guidelines towards accessing it.

And she'd especially like readers to know: the metaverse is for everyone. Including artists, educators and anyone who isn't quite sure, yet, how it could fit into their life and work.

"It shouldn't only be the people that know how to code or develop that (need to be involved)," Sam comments. "It needs to be more than that."

In other words, the metaverse is for YOU--and Sam's new book explores the ways you can get involved. Including a great chapter on "Resources" which, we admit, is a personal favorite.

Sam talked about some of the ways the metaverse and artificial intelligence could facilitate everyday life, considerations involved in protecting privacy and some of the ways these technologies might be used to build a better world.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

* A definition of the term "metaverse";

* How these technologies might affect daily life in five years;

* How the metaverse might be instrumental in solving some of the world's problems;

* A look at some of the applications of the technologies for the arts and education;

* How one skeptical educator came to realize the pertinence of XR to their area;

* How the metaverse may affect the workplace of the future;

* Ways to avoid the same mistakes made with the Internet when building the metaverse;

* Where to start, if you're new to the metaverse;

* Some of Sam's favorite resources for "on boarding" experiences.