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

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

By Dot Cannon: Public Speaker & New-Media ReporterSociety & CultureEducationArts
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Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak episodes

  • “Dino-ween” Seeks “Mad Scientists”

    (Photo courtesy of Kate Porter/LVNHM and used with permission.)



    Uh-oh. Mad scientists are just about to descend on Las Vegas Natural History Museum, for "Dino-Ween"!



    And it's going to be a blast.



    "It's one of the most fun days of the year, at the museum," says LVNHM Co-Executive Director Kate Porter.



    "Dino-Ween" is LVNHM's annual Halloween celebration--with the "resident" dinosaurs center stage. And the goal: to relate natural science to everyone's world, while showing just how cool science can be.



    Think: special effects, maker activities and thermodynamics. In a setting that's part Halloween haunt, part educational experience and completely fun.



    Items appear to float in mid-air. Staff don "mad scientist" lab coats and conduct Venus flytrap and bat-making workshops. And some of the pumpkins may not be feeling too well...with astonishing results!



    This year's "Dino-Ween" happens Friday, October 28th, at Las Vegas Natural History Museum, from 10 am to 3 pm. The theme: "Mad Science Lab". And you're invited!



    Meanwhile, if you don't happen to be in the Las Vegas area, you don't have to miss all the fun. LVNHM has some great online resources--including videos on making cool stuff, like Halloween slime, on their Facebook page!



    Kate offered a preview of what's going to be happening at this unique celebration, shared a behind-the-scenes view of the festivities and a look ahead at what's next!



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * What's going to be happening for this year's "Dino-Ween";



    * How this special event came about and evolved;



    * An additional celebration which visitors may like to experience;



    * A state holiday, unique to Nevada, which the community is celebrating;



    * What visitors will experience when they come into "Dino-Ween 2022";



    * A closer look at the science and technology behind some of the Halloween effects;



    * An introduction to some of the dinosaurs at LVNHM!:



    * One of Kate's favorite crowd-pleasing Halloween surprises;



    * A look at some of the science demonstrations and workshops that will be happening, along the spectrum: from "gross for Halloween" right up to "family crafts".



    * Some of the makers/tech experts whose expertise is making "Dino-Ween" possible;



    * The online resources LVNHM offers, for anyone who can't be there in-person;



    * What Kate and the LVNHM staff will be doing on October 28th;



    * A preview of one "surprise" to look for;



    * The best challenge/opportunity Kate has experienced, in developing "Dino-Ween" into the event it has become;



    * A cool technological soon-to-be addition, coming in 2023;



    * Another interesting program happening at LVNHM on Halloween weekend!;



    * The role of storytelling in the museum's educational activities;



    * Kate's vision for the future;



    * What LVNHM need most, as they continue their mission of inspiring and educating;



    * And, what's next!



















    35 min
  • “Infusing Your Soul”





    Award-winning artist and metaverse designer Juliana Loh has a challenge for you.



    And it's going to be fun. Not to mention beautiful, interactive and you may just find yourself coming back to it more than once.



    Juliana accomplishes these goals with her latest metaverse world, Awaken the Giants, accessible on Altspace.



    Awaken the Giants, Juliana explains, is both a social experiment and a way of connecting to explore our highest aspirations. Created on Tiltbrush, Juliana's immersive world allows you to explore concepts, share ideas and experience a sense of wonder as you literally "get inside the heads" of her giants.



    Plus, you get to fly! The first thing that will happen, as you enter Juliana's immersive world, is that you'll be asked to turn on "flight" mode to travel. Then you zoom through a lighted tunnel to sparkly areas, taking as much time as you would like and investigating what you see on the platforms, the figures you encounter and the ideas that result from your experience.



    And--you're going to wind up with a takeaway to use in your creative life. But we won't do a spoiler here!



    Juliana talked about her background, shared the story of "Awaken the Giants" and offered a look at some of her additional work in the metaverse.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * What first inspired Juliana to become an artist;



    * Her memories of the first time she created art in virtual reality;



    * The resources that gave her a background for creating art in 3D;



    * How Juliana came to create Awaken the Giants;



    * A closer look at what visitors experience;



    * One of the creative challenges that helped Juliana grow as an artist as she built her immersive world;



    * What she observed as people interacted with her world;



    * What the figures in her world represent;



    * Two of the most exciting professional honors she's received since the start of her XR career;



    * The creative takeaway which the Awaken the Giants experience gives visitors;



    * Juliana's guidance to fellow artists creating in the metaverse;



    * An overall challenge which allowed her to continue growing;



    * What works well for her, with setting priorities;



    * A closer look at another of Juliana's worlds--Jingleville--which she created in 2019 and which allowed her to explore some of the techniques she uses for Awaken the Giants;



    * Why certain elements are present in Juliana's Tiltbrush art;



    * The real-world "magic" which inspires her;



    * Her advice to fellow creatives who want to share their work to make a difference;



    * An exciting opportunity that's coming up for her (you'll want to see this!).








































































    39 min
  • “Refreshing Your Brain”

    This post and podcast episode contain some adult language.



    (Photo courtesy of Robin Moulder, and used with permission.)



    "I posit that you should just do it all," says 3lb XR and 3lb Games Founder and CEO Robin Moulder.



    She's speaking from experience.



    In addition to being a software engineer, entrepreneur and XR innovator, Robin is, quite literally, a rock star.



    As a founder of the 1990s alternative-rock band Jack Off Jill, she played bass, toured with her band and recorded albums--while working full-time in software and management.



    And she found both careers fun and creatively fulfilling, as they involved her passions: music and technology.



    "(It's) switching my brain to another mode," Robin says of her music. Exploring the different areas, she explains, "lit up" all the areas of her brain.



    New creative applications



    Today, Robin combines those two areas of expertise through her work in XR.



    Earlier this year, her 3lb XR accelerator debuted a series of gamified virtual-reality training applications. These are hands-on simulations for safe and thorough training of staff in industrial, hospitality and medical fields.



    "What really matters to me is that we, as a company, are very much aligned with your mission," Robin says of the clients she serves.



    That alignment can be groundbreaking.



    Working with Tucson Medical Center, 3lb XR recently introduced a first-of-its-kind pilot program for medical staff. The simulations--which you can find on 3lb XR's YouTube channel--include suicide prevention training, medical inventory and thorough cleaning procedures. So far, 1000 members of the staff have been training on various procedures through these simulations.



    The benefits of these simulations? Learners can safely make mistakes and learn from them; physical supplies and facilities aren't depleted; and trainees tend to become more vigilant through the interactive experiences.



    {Plus, they tend to be fun!)



    Robin says that's just the beginning, as she and her team work to accelerate the metaverse by making hands-on VR training widely available.



    While the "fun" element is very much present in these VR simulations, it's equally so in 3lb Games' creations.



    The aspects of acceleration



    Robin started Michigan-based 3lb Games in 2008. Their current release, an action adventure game, Vault of Stars, was released in early access for the Meta Quest 2 earlier this year. For their next release, Space Dragon: Unchained, your arms become VR dragons that are used to blow up planets! Space Dragon: Unchained will be released on November 3rd and can be waitlisted on the Oculus App Lab Store now.



    We talked about Robin's creative journey in music and technology, the story of 3lb Games and 3lb XR, and the ways Robin and her team are accelerating the metaverse--for everyone.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * Robin's creative journey with both music and technology;



    * One of the creative lessons she uses today, from her dual careers;



    * A favorite memory of some of the pranks she and her fellow musicians played on each other while on tour;



    48 min
  • Curiosity, Discovery, Storytelling

    (Photograph courtesy of Harry Who, and used with permission of Loughlin Michaels Group.)







    Storytelling is at the heart of Donna Loughlin's profession.



    As Founder and President of San Jose-based public relations agency LMGPR, Donna works with visionaries on a daily basis. Her award-winning PR firm specializes in publicizing creators of disruptive technology--both for consumers and business-to-business.



    And for Donna, it all starts with the "why" of their creations.



    With a background in journalism and expertise in both aviation and high-performance racing, Donna explores the "why" aspects of innovation. Insatiably curious about the world around her, she enjoys investigating the reasons behind cutting-edge technology--and sharing these stories, both through LMGPR and on her podcast, Before It Happened.



    Donna talked about her background, offered a look at some of the innovations she's found most interesting and shared her thoughts on keeping humanity at the heart of technology.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * The experiences that sparked Donna's interest in science and technology;



    * One of the coolest things she got to make, and what happened next!;



    * How her storytelling talents grew from there;



    * Why her creative journey included high-performance racecar driving!:



    * How a risk--and a skill she didn't initially want!--led to a career opportunity;



    * The "happy accident" which led to the start of her business;



    * Donna's perspective on educational technology;



    * How she worked with her two children (one arts-oriented and one a scientist) to interest each in both areas;



    * A closer look at her podcast, Before It Happened;



    * Some of the robots she finds most interesting:



    * Her thoughts on teaching kids to discover wonder in the world around them;



    * Some of the most interesting emerging technology she's seeing;



    * A look at job skills for the future and how they relate to emerging tech.;



    * Donna's favorite story about adopting new technology.
























































    48 min
  • Gooru: Achievement, This Way

    (Royalty-free images from Pixabay.)



    "It's about who you are, where you want to go, and we'll give you a pathway," says Dr. Prasad Ram, Founder and CEO of education research and technology nonprofit Gooru.



    But the journey about which he is speaking is more important than any geographical one.



    With his team, Pram, as he prefers to be called, has developed Gooru Navigator--a GPS for learning!



    As a thought leader in educational technology, Pram is passionate about using his expertise to ensure equitable access to education. Gooru, which he created in 2011, focuses on providing technology that helps students (in school and lifelong) achieve their goals. Consequently, Gooru Navigator is available, free, to students and educators.



    Unlike traditional school systems, the Gooru Navigator begins with an assessment of the individual student's circumstances. Where is that person, in relation to what they want to accomplish, on their learning journey?



    (Royalty-free image by Nikolay Georgiev from Pixabay)



    Then, Pram explains, the Navigator maps out a path. And students can choose what they explore, on the way to their learning "destination".



    Gooru's name, derived from the Hindi word for "teacher", guru, also pays homage to Google, at which Pram worked both as Director of Research for Google Books for Education, in Mountain View, and Director of Engineering in Bangalore. While his career included working as a research scientist at Xerox, serving as Chief Technology Officer at Yahoo! India and receiving the Founders' Award during his time at Google, he wanted to apply his understanding of complex systems to one that had made a difference for him: education.



    Beginning as a "20% project", Gooru grew from there.



    Pram shared the story of Gooru, explained how the Navigator works, and talked about his own "GPS" for where he'd like to grow Gooru in the future.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * Pram's thoughts on customizing the complex concept of learning to individuals;



    * The fundamental element of his own educational experience which gave him the confidence to pursue computer science and engineering;



    * How Pram came to create his nonprofit, Gooru, while working at Google;



    * His recollections of the early days of Gooru;



    * How a teacher's input prompted him to change his "GPS for Learning" model in the early days;



    * How the system works;



    * What students experience, when they log into the Navigator;



    * How the system shows student progress;



    * The "fun" and exploration elements included!;



    * What education professionals see as students learn with the Navigator;



    * How to get the "Learning GPS" and start using it!:



    * How the Navigator works in teaching employees soft skills;



    * What Pram has learned from his experiences with Gooru;



    * Where his nonprofit is currently, and a "GPS" to where they're heading!
    59 min
  • A Professional Approach to VR





    Virtual reality is about so much more than gaming.



    And when multiple award-winning computer science educator Mark Suter teaches VR, he directs students towards real-world problem-solving.



    Mark, who teaches at Elida High School in Elida, Ohio, is also the co-author of Bowling Green University's M.A. program in immersive media. In his courses on game design, entrepreneurship and programming, he encourages his high school students to experiment, make mistakes and learn from them.



    The learning experience doesn't stop when the bell rings.



    Grit 9, a student-run business, is part of the curriculum. Students can design VR simulations, websites and offer photo scanning and video work for local businesses.



    In the process, they're learning sales, communication and team coordination skills. And the related class is not about "get a good grade". It's all about putting in the work, contributing ideas and growing.



    "Treating them like young professionals," Mark says. "I think tying them into the real world prepares them for it."



    (Royalty-free photo
    by Remy Gieling on Unsplash .)



    However, Mark doesn't just teach high school and postgraduate students.



    If you would like some free training, that's also a lot of fun, here's where to access his beginner-friendly show, "VR Basic Bytes"!



    Mark's professional accolades include the Henry Ford's Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator of the Year Award. He is also a Microsoft Certified Innovator Expert.



    Mark talked about his experiences guiding his students, shared some favorite resources and discussed a hilarious "mistake" that was also a learning experience.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * Mark's recollections from his own learning journey, as he first started learning to create with VR and teach it to his students;



    * How an artist or educator might put virtual reality to work in these areas;



    * The partnership experience through which Mark took his game-design class with a local business as a client:



    * The creative process involved;



    * What's involved in his beginner-friendly high school course;



    * Why Mark tells his students that "failure is highly encouraged";



    * A safeguard, for when students do make errors, so their work isn't lost;



    * Mark's favorite resources for creating with VR;



    * What to use, instead of code, to perform some basic functions in VR;



    * How Mark introduces his students to coding;



    * Several ways to share created VR apps;



    * Where to find Mark's beginner-friendly VR training (it's free!), and where he'll be speaking in the future;



    * A mistake one of his students made that Mark found hilarious (and a learning experience);



    * How Mark's approach to preparing students to work in immersive tech has changed since he first started teaching;



    * Why Mark wants students' approach to learning (and his to teaching them!) to be "entrepreneurial".




    25 min
  • XRAI Glass: Heart and Ingenuity

    (Photo ©XRAI, and used with permission.)



    What if life had captions--so that someone who's hard of hearing didn't have to miss anything?



    For XRAI Glass CEO Dan Scarfe and his team, that's no longer a theoretical question.



    Watching a beloved family member at a family Christmas gathering, Dan was struck with an inspiration.



    And the end result: his London-based software brand's new technology, which converts audio into subtitles!



    (Photo ©XRAI, and used with permission.)



    "XRAI", Dan says, stands for "extended reality artificial intelligence." The AR software operates through an Android phone, transmitting to a pair of NREAL Air glasses, on which the wearer can then see captions in real time.



    Best of all, if the wearer is hard of hearing, they don't have to look directly at the speaker to understand their speech. They can be looking away or engaged in another activity while following the conversation.



    The technology also allows the smart-glasses wearer to follow other audio sources, such as radio broadcasts or podcasts, in real time. And Dan says these current capabilities are just the beginning.



    Dan shared the story of XRAI Glass's new technology, currently in beta tests, as well as his favorite experiences and his vision for the future.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * How Dan came to combine his passion for technology with changing lives through innovations;



    * How a Christmas visit inspired him with the idea for the XRAI Glass software;



    * What's currently happening with the pilot program;



    * Some of the other features in the works;



    * How people might be able to participate in the trial;



    * How the AR technology works;



    * How the technology might distinguish different accents;



    * Acknowledgements of the team behind the innovation;



    * What Dan most enjoys as a technologist, getting the software to work in real time;



    * A possible timeline for U.S. availability;



    * One of the most valuable ways users are supporting the development of the technology;



    * How the technology distinguishes between different speakers.
    23 min
  • “Wow” Plus “How”–and More

    (Photograph courtesy of Tracey Croggon, and used with permission.)



    Science Magician Dr. Matt Pritchard deals in wonder.



    And he also deals in education.



    Dr. Pritchard, or Matt, as he prefers to be called, performs science magic shows at local schools, universities and organizations. Many of his tricks are original. They're also designed to have his audience members asking, "How did you do that?"



    Matt enjoys the question--and the discussions that ensue. His goal, as both a scientist (with a PhD. in experimental atomic physics!) and a professional magician, is to inspire, inform and boost critical thinking skills.



    He also offers a creativity-boosting challenge, with his work.



    "Binge-watch some of my videos," he suggests, " And just sit there and go, 'How would I do this?'"



    Matt, who is both an author and a speaker, hosts a podcast, "Words on Wonder". He also has a TED talk, "The Quantum State of Wonder", in which he demonstrates a couple of his tricks which combine, as he says, "surprise plus mystery".



    Matt talked about his background and some of the science and math principles behind his illusions, as well as how he maintains his sense of wonder.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * How Matt became interested in his two areas of expertise;



    * His professional journey, in both atomic physics and magic, and the catalyst for finding common ground in these two areas ;



    * A tip for engaging audiences, no matter what you're presenting;



    * What it's like to audition for the world's most prestigious magicians' society;



    * How Matt surprised those magicians!:



    * One of the demonstrations he does, that tends to wow audiences of all ages;



    * How he applies math to an often-seen "estimate" challenge;



    * A closer look at his podcast, Words on Wonder;



    * How not to "burn out" when producing creative work;



    * Matt's recommendation of two authors who inspire him;



    * A historic "curiosity" about a magician from Matt's blog;



    * What the "magician mindset" is;



    * One of Matt's favorite discoveries which he incorporates into his performances;



    * How magicians apply the psychology of magic to an audience;



    * An application of that psychology, which Matt uses in his show;



    * Matt's thoughts about explaining the science behind the magic;



    * A seemingly-"impossible" stunt Matt performs in some of his science magic shows;



    * The physics behind one of the stunts he has invented;



    * What inspires Matt with a sense of wonder;



    * How to incorporate that sense of wonder into daily life;



    * What Matt has learned about wonder from his own children;



    * Where he'd most like to grow, with science magic, in the future.





























    32 min
  • Ten Years of Inspiration–and Counting









    California STEAM Symposium is celebrating a landmark anniversary!



    And if you're in the Anaheim area, October 1-2, you're cordially invited to come celebrate--and learn-- with them.



    That's the weekend that the annual California STEAM Symposium will once again be an in-person event.



    If past experience is any indication, this is going to be, once again, "epic".



    Components of empowerment



    (California STEAM Symposium maker space, Anaheim, 2019.)



    Co-hosted by nonprofit Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and the California Department of Education, the California STEAM Symposium explores exciting and creative ways of empowering students through science, technology, engineering, art and math.



    Interactivity is the keyword, as educators conduct sessions on maker skills, robotics, immersive technology and numerous other innovative approaches that will get students learning, hands-on, in ways they'll remember--and apply to real life.



    But the educators aren't the only presenters.



    (Rialto High School students' Rube Goldberg machine, California STEAM Symposium, 2019.)



    Students also offer sessions and present their work!



    A+ for virtual programming



    (California STEAM Symposium, 2021.)



    For the past two years, the California STEAM Symposium has been all-virtual.



    Even with the limitations of remote presentations, the 2020 and 2021 events were highly creative and a lot of fun.



    (California STEAM Symposium, 2020.)



    Both symposia generated dozens of new ideas, even as participants attended from home.



    But as Karyn says, there's really nothing quite like the in-person experience.



    (California STEAM Symposium, Anaheim, 2019.)



    This year's California STEAM Symposium, at Anaheim Convention Center, will feature more than 150 sessions, keynote speakers, maker activities and some surprise special features.



    Karyn and Glennon talked about their experiences preparing for this landmark event, offered a preview of this year's schedule and shared ways attendees can get the most out of their STEAM experience.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * How Glennon and Karyn's experience with the "curve ball" of the pandemic helped them to prepare to return to in-person events;



    * The "surprise" involved in going virtual and how Karyn and Glennon found the element of joy amid the pandemic's planning limitations;



    * A new feature, this year, for California S.T.E.A.M. Symposium's 5,000-square-foot maker space;



    * Some "don't-miss" activities and advice on time managements for educators;



    * An imaginary "tour" of what's going to be happening on October 1, including the expo hall floor and maker space;



    * A preview of the keynote speakers (and a hint at some "surprise" elements);



    28 min
  • “Medicine for the Planet”

    (Photography by Tom Bonner, courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)



    "We know what to do," says Aquarium of the Pacific President and CEO Dr. Peter Kareiva.



    He's talking about the ways communities can collaborate on combating climate change.



    And those activities will be the focus of a brand-new course which the Aquarium is offering, this autumn, in partnership with Orange Coast College.



    Entitled "Ocean Conservation and Community Science", the course is geared towards high-school students. Class sessions will happen at the Aquarium, two nights a week, starting August 30th, according to the Aquarium's website.



    The course is free to high-school students, who will receive three units of college credit. Labs and optional field trips will accompany the class sessions.



    A mission beyond the classroom



    (Photograph by Cassandra Davis, courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)



    More importantly, though, the curriculum will provide discourse with conservation specialists and hands-on activities.



    The goals: to reach students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to discover their own personal connections with nature--and to give back to the community.



    That "giving back" element comes with encouraging the students to continue to act on that connection, long after the final class session has concluded. In fact, Dr. Kareiva, who will be the lead instructor, says the new course may very well open the door to careers which students hadn't previously considered.



    Dr. Kareiva and a number of conservationists will be sharing both their expertise. and the ways in which their talents led to their current career path. And these will be two-way conversations, with students encouraged to share their ideas and get involved in labs and hands-on activities.



    (Photograph by Eileen Delrosario, courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)



    Arts-oriented students, especially, may be surprised to discover the ways their talents could fit into a science career with a focus on conservation.



    "I think everybody's a conservationist at heart," Dr. Kareiva explains. ("No one wants to destroy the planet.")



    While the course is currently full, Dr. Kareiva says there is a wait list available. In addition, his vision is an expansion of this class, to include other communities and universities, in the future.



    Dr. Kareiva offered a preview of the new course. discussed the Aquarium's conservation activities, and shared his perspectives on taking action to heal the environment.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * How Dr. Kareiva became inspired to focus his talents as a scientist on conservation;



    * The goals of the new course and how it differs from a traditional "class";



    * What students will experience in "Ocean Conservation and Community Science";



    * Why "community conservation" is effective;



    * The real-world interactive experiences available to students;



    * How to get on the waitlist;



    * How Dr. Kareiva has observed young Aquarium visitors connecting with nature;



    * The ways in which we engage with conservation in a personal way;



    * How programs like the new class can inspire youth to explore science careers th...
    33 min

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

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Would you like to know more about the art of twenty-first century "cool stuff" that's changing our world? Such as: robots, space exploration, new media, wearable technology and other innovations that…