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

  • Artemis I: Countdown to Amazing

    This post and podcast are not, in any way, shape or form, affiliated with, nor endorsed by, NASA.



    (Photo courtesy of NASA, and used with permission.)



    In a matter of weeks, NASA's Artemis I will mark a new beginning in space exploration.



    This historic flight is the first phase of the Artemis program's goal: returning humans to the Moon.



    Matt Wittal is Mission Design and Planetary Science at NASA. As he explained in our 2019 interview, unmanned Artemis I is the first of three scheduled missions in the Artemis program.



    The world's most powerful rocket, the SLS (Space Launch System), will launch the spacecraft, Orion. Initially, Orion will orbit the Earth. Then, off to the moon--and it its lunar orbit, Orion will travel further than any previous spacecraft.



    The mission objectives, as explained on NASA's website: to demonstrate Orion’s systems in a spaceflight environment; and to ensure a safe re-entry, descent, splashdown, and recovery prior to Artemis II, which will be the first flight with crew onboard.



    And further down the (lunar) road



    Then, in the future, Artemis III will land astronauts on the lunar surface for exploration and habitation of the Moon. NASA will operate both a "base camp" on the lunar surface, and their Gateway orbiting lunar outpost.



    Even that isn't the ultimate objective of the Artemis program, however.



    Living and working on the Moon is projected to ultimately help researchers determine what will be needed, for travel to Mars.



    Matt talked about the final preparations to launch Artemis I, what's involved in planning a mission with so many "firsts", and what comes next!



    On this edition of Over Coffee®we cover:



    * What's currently happening with final preparations for the launch;



    * The troubleshooting involved to get any launch right (including the successful Saturn V!);



    * Some of the "firsts" involved in the Artemis I flight;



    * A definition of a NASA term which will apply to the mission;



    * What launch day will be like, for Matt!;



    * Matt's role in preparing the technology to navigate the spacecraft;



    * What's involved in determining the trajectory for launching a moon rocket;



    * How the mission, and the program, demonstrate NASA's new vision statement;



    * Some of the ways other countries are collaborating on the Artemis program;



    * A closer look at some of the secondary objectives the cubesats aboard the SLS may accomplish;



    * The timeline of the launch and Orion's journey;



    * How the Artemis I mission will set the stage for the Artemis II flight;



    * What Matt and the NASA team are currently working on for the missions to follow Artemis I;



    * The future missions planned to travel back and forth to the Moon and what will be needed to make them successful;



    * How Matt's background led him to excel in space logistics;



    * Where to watch the launch, get educator resources, and follow NASA on their social media;



    * The consideration of lunar dust with an orbiting spacecraft;



    * What Matt has learned about himself,
    26 min
  • STEMuli: “Games” That Build the Future





    "I want to serve millions of learners worldwide," says STEMuli Founder/CEO Taylor Shead.



    And her Dallas-based educational technology enterprise is well on the way to doing exactly that.



    As creators of the first game-based learning metaverse in the United States, STEMuli Studios serves high-school students through hands-on virtual learning experiences. The students are having fun and being creative while learning. And best of all, the program connects them to career opportunities in the lucrative STEM field.



    "What success looks like, is students preparing for the job of their dreams," Taylor explains. "'Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not.'"



    So, how does this work? Students create their avatars as they enter a colorful virtual world. Then they can travel around, exploring, until it's time for class. Teachers then summon them into the virtual classroom, for lessons.



    Meanwhile, part of the virtual experience is interaction with industry partners, in preparation for future STEM careers. Mentorship and job-training skills are central to the program.



    Finding direction--literally



    In addition, the STEMuli technology system provides copious--and customized--data for teachers. This information allows them to monitor individual students' progress in various subjects.



    And now, a new system is coming out, for the learners themselves: a "learning GPS" that lets the student determine where they are with their educational goals!



    Taylor says her ultimate vision is to serve all learners: lifelong and nontraditional as well as K-12 and college students.



    Taylor shared the story of STEMuli, explained how the program works and offered a preview of what's next!



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * The epiphany that led Taylor to her mission as an entrepreneur;



    * How she started STEMuli, and saw it evolve;



    * Taylor's memories of the early days of her startup;



    * A conversation with a student that cemented Taylor's commitment to her calling;



    * How a surprise discovery led her to seek the involvement of Fortune 500 companies;



    * What students experience, in the virtual world;



    * How the "learning GPS" which STEMuli will debut was developed.



    * The tools available in the "STEMuli engine" for educators (and students!) to create content;



    * One of Taylor's most "fun" experiences in her creative journey with STEMuli;



    * Taylor's own "GPS" of STEMuli's current accomplishments and the goals she'd like to reach;



    * Where to connect with Taylor and STEMuli;



    * What the new "learning GPS" could mean for a lifelong learner;



    * How you can support her project and get involved!
























































    33 min
  • A Classroom Game-Changer





    "This changes everything," was educator, author and speaker Jaime Donally's response to her own first augmented-reality experience.



    And today, she's guiding fellow educators in the implementation and use of immersive technology--AR, VR and MR--in the classroom.



    As founder of ARVRinEDU®, Jaime offers all kinds of free resources, online, which can be easily implemented into classroom curricula. Her blog sparks the imagination with product information and hands-on projects. Features like "31 Days of ARVRinEDU" direct educators to free training, lesson ideas and projects.



    But had Jaime known her future career path, during her own school days, she might have been surprised.



    A change of perspective



    Reading, she says, was her nemesis in school. In her book The Immersive Classroom, she shares that she had never completely read a book, until her last year of high school.



    That would change.



    A teacher introduced the "fun" element, customizing the reading experience to Jaime's interests.



    Jaime now uses that same approach to help teachers engage students through augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed-reality applications. Among the features of her website are blog post on "31 Days of ARVRinEDU," as well as professional virtual training and links to her two books.



    In addition, Jaime is now offering micro-credentialed professional training--free--online! Here's the link to find out more.



    Jaime talked about her educational journey, the creation of ARVRinEDU® and some of the applications she has found especially effective for education.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * Jaime's educational journey, from reluctant reader to education professional;



    * Her own introduction to immersive technology;



    * A definition of augmented, versus virtual and mixed, reality;



    * The story of ARVRinEDU®;



    * A closer look at some of the augmented and virtual-reality applications on the site;



    * A preview of the content planned for later this year;



    * Jaime's advice to educators who are just starting to use immersive technology in the classroom;



    * Some immersive apps which engage students in reading, science and writing;



    * How students can create 3D content;



    * Some VR applications that can be implemented in the classroom;



    * Some of Jaime's favorite recent immersive-technology discoveries;



    * The FREE microcredentialing training Jaime is currently offering, online! (Here's the link!)



    * One of Jaime's favorite success stories, from her use of AR and VR for teaching.








































































    39 min
  • WasteShark: Attacking Pollution

    A special-edition Over Coffee®podcast, featuring one of our top episodes of 2022!







    "It's quite fun, to be honest," says WasteShark creator Richard Hardiman.



    He's talking about watching his autonomous drone clean plastic from bodies of water--not unlike a popular game where the main character "eats" enemies.



    And with climate change at the forefront of numerous conversations today, Richard, who is the founder and CEO of Netherlands-base RanMarine Technology, has been creating a series of innovations to help heal the planet.



    When we first spoke in January 2022, Richard and his team had just exhibited the WasteShark at CES® 2022, in Las Vegas. The WasteShark wowed attendees with its capabilities to act like a "vacuum", clearing floating pollution from lakes, harbors, ponds and waterways.



    WasteShark also won a CES® Innovation Award. But the truly exciting news: this particular robot is just the beginning for RanMarine Technology.Richard previewed the company's additional innovations--including a "pod" that allows deployment of five WasteSharks together, to clean waterways 24/7!



    Here's what may come as a surprise: Richard describes himself as an "accidental environmentalist"! He shares that story here, as he explains how his innovation works and some of the highlights, along with one low point, of the creative process.



    On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:



    * How Richard “accidentally” came up with his concept for the WasteShark aquatic drone;



    * The steps from there (and an important catalyst, for him, to the creative process!);



    * How the WasteShark works;



    * What users see if they manually operate the aquadrone (created to be very user-friendly);



    * What happens next!;



    * What Richard, as someone without robotics experience, had to learn to make the WasteShark a reality;



    * Some of the challenges and considerations involved in creating an aquadrone;



    * What data the WasteShark communicates back, about the qualities of the water in which it is operating;



    * How any creative can apply the steps Richard took, in making the WasteShark a reality, to bring their own ideas to life;



    * RanMarine Technology’s experience with the CES® 2022 Innovation Award;



    * Another device, currently in development, to tackle oil pollution;



    * Some highlights, and a low point, of Richard’s journey, as he and his team designed the WasteShark.



    Would you like to see the WasteShark, and additional future innovations from RanMarine Technology, in action? Here’s a link to their YouTube channel!




















































    18 min
  • Leonardo da Vinci, Engineer





    Who knew that Leonardo da Vinci designed robots?



    Or scuba gear, machines of war and even a workable bicycle--about 300 years before bikes became popular?



    These are just a few of the discoveries from the "Da Vinci Machines and Robotics" summer traveling exhibition, currently on display at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum.



    "This exhibit knocks it out of the park," says LVNHM Co-Executive Director Kate Porter. "We're seeing technology that doesn't re-emerge for centuries."



    Gleaming wood, meticulously-crafted shapes created by the Artisans of Florence from da Vinci's original designs, or codices, and above all, ideas several centuries ahead of his time, greet visitors to the exhibit.



    "Da Vinci Machines and Robotics" is the largest da Vinci traveling invention exhibition in the world, including more than 60 pieces. All, Kate says, are authentically crafted, from materials that would have been available in da Vinci's time.



    Interestingly, art historians say that less than 20 surviving paintings have been verified as da Vinci works. But hundreds of his design sketches still exist.



    That would seem to imply that the master artist really enjoyed making things, most of all!



    And visitors to the Las Vegas Museum of Natural History, from now through September 10th, get to come up with new ideas, both by seeing the inventions of da Vinci--and by the activities which LVMNH has planned, inspired by his creativity!







    On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:



    * The story of the "Da Vinci Machines and Robotics" exhibition;



    * Some of the inventions included in the exhibition;



    * A closer look at da Vinci's robots and why he created them!;



    * One such automaton, which is being seen for the first time;



    * The background against which da Vinci created his art and his inventions;



    * What we know about the possibility of da Vinci actually constructing his designs;;



    * What Kate has enjoyed most about hosting this showstopping exhibition at LVNHM;



    * One of the components of LVNHM's success (they're celebrating their 31st anniversary!);



    * Some hands-on maker activities inspired by da Vinci's work;



    * One of Kate's favorite creative lessons from the exhibition;



    * The new content and program which the Museum staff are developing for later this year.







    The "Da Vinci Machines & Robotics" summer traveling exhibition is open from now through September 10th, 2022, at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, located at 900 North Las Vegas Boulevard. The museum is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.




























    27 min
  • A Blueprint for the Future

    This post and podcast are for informational purposes only, and are not intended, in any way, as financial, career or professional advice in any other areas. Please contact an appropriate professional with any questions.



    (Headshot courtesy of Dr. Mark van Rijmenam, and used with permission.)



    What will the metaverse become?



    In his new book, "Step Into the Metaverse: How the Immersive Internet Will Unlock a Trillion-Dollar Social Economy", future tech strategist and author Dr. Mark van Rijmenam says we have a choice. But, he cautions, we must act now.



    Mark, who is known as "The Digital Speaker", is the founder of Holland-based Datafloq. He's also an international keynote speaker, as well as the publisher of the ‘f(x) = e^x‘ newsletter, which explores the future of work in tomorrow's workplace. "Step Into the Metaverse" is his fifth published book.



    Currently, Mark says, creators have a "blank canvas" to create an "open metaverse" that will benefit humanity.



    However, he warns, "We only have one shot to make this happen, (or) we'll wind up in a dystopian future."



    And in Step Into the Metaverse, he offers guidelines--including an extensive resource list which cites the 250+ interviews he conducted, in the course of writing Step Into the Metaverse.



    Mark discussed the concepts he explores in his new book, including avatars, the use of immersive technology in education, and the next steps for individuals who want to work together towards an open metaverse.



    In this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * A closer look at the challenge which the budding metaverse presents to creatives;



    * A projection of the ways we may experience the metaverse, ten years from now;



    * What future education may be like, due to the metaverse;



    * Some of the ways augmented reality may appear in our daily lives, in the future;



    * Mark's experience as he wrote Step Into the Metaverse;



    * The ways avatars can change behaviors--both in the virtual world and in the real one;



    * Resources and skills to prepare for the evolution of the metaverse;



    * A definition of non-fungible tokens (NFTs);



    * Some of the dangers of the metaverse, and possible ways to avoid them;



    * Considerations for the next steps for creatives working towards an open metaverse;



    * A closer look at two new innovations and their implications for personal privacy.











    Check out "The Digital Speaker" series with Dr. Mark van Rijmenam! You'll find information on his videos, latest articles and his podcasts at thedigitalspeaker.com. And while you're there, get a look at his free webinar on the future of work, as well as his
    31 min
  • “Space” to Grow

    Happy Fourth of July! Over Coffee® is on holiday-weekend hiatus this week. Please enjoy this re-posting of one of our top 2022 episodes, so far, as we celebrate freedom and innovation on our country's 246th birthday!



    (Royalty-free image by WikiImages from Pixabay.)



    This post and podcast, and Two Maverix® Multimedia, are not, in any way, shape or form, affiliated with, nor endorsed by, NASA. (We just consider growing crops in space one of the coolest science applications we’ve seen!)



    Ten years ago, would you ever have believed that fresh vegetables could grow in space? Or that an astronaut could grow and arrange a bouquet of flowers in zero gravity?



    But all that has been happening since 2014.



    )Image courtesy of NASA, and used with permission.)



    That's the year NASA Project Scientist Dr. Gioia Massa and her team developed the first-ever food production system for the International Space Station.



    Since then, a number of crops have grown aboard the ISS. Astronauts first enjoyed fresh lettuce with their meals in 2015. In 2016, astronaut Scott Kelly shared images of the "Space Flower"--the first zinnia grown aboard the ISS. And in November,, 2021, astronauts had a "taco party" aboard the ISS as they enjoyed the first green chile peppers grown in space.



    (image courtsy of NASA, and used iwth permission.



    NASA Project Scientist Matt Romeyn served as the principal investigator for NASA’s Plant Habitat-04 experiment. The goal: to explore the possibility of growing chile peppers in space.



    And much, much more is coming.



    Gioia and Matt talked about their experiences, discussed what's involved in growing crops aboard the ISS and offered a look at the future. (Hint: if the astronauts love fresh-grown tomatoes, they will be thrilled!)



    (Image courtesy of NASA, and used with permission.)



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * What first inspired Matt to pursue space science as his profession;



    * Some of the most exciting milestones Gioia has experienced in her research and development of space crops since our 2018 conversation;



    * How a "happy accident" led to the first plant transplant in space;



    * Considerations involved, for Matt, when the ISS crew members called him for advice on the transplant experiment;



    * The astronauts’ psychological responses to the plants, growing aboard the International Space Station;



    * A closer look at the crew’s response to that first crop of chile peppers!;



    * What it’s like to monitor the plants aboard the APH (Advanced Plant Habitat) from Kennedy Space Center;



    * An experiment that could ultimately allow astronauts to choose which crops they’ll grow aboard the ISS, pulling from a “seed bank”;



    * The current food-production technology operating aboard the ISS:



    * One of the coolest research findings Matt has had, with the “space crops”, in the past year;



    * Some of the effects of microgravity on plants;


    47 min
  • Tech Trekker: Mobile Inspiration

    (Photo courtesy of Radioactive Productions, https://www.lasvegasvideoproductions.net/)



    Tech Trekker is all about discovery.



    Technically, this is a free educational program, with a mobile STEM lab at its core. But it's so much more than that.



    Staffed by a team of faculty and students from University of Nevada Las Vegas, the program's goal is to make cutting-edge technology accessible to K-12 classrooms in the local area.



    Educators can request that the mobile lab visit their classroom for a maximum of three days. During the visit, a program staffer guides the teacher and students through using technology, hands-on, to learn science principles.



    And that technology could be a 3D printer. Or a mini landslide science kit. Or surveying equipment. Or...numerous other types of equipment that will get K-12 students exploring, asking questions and learning through doing.



    In addition, Tech Trekker includes lesson plans, project media, and training events. But teachers are also encouraged to design their own lessons around the technology, prior to the visit.



    Meanwhile, educators not in the Las Vegas area will find engineering design activities and a great "Building Your First Website" lesson guide among Tech Trekker's online resources.



    (Tech Trekker logo courtesy of Dr. Erica Marti, and used with permission.)



    Where it all began



    UNLV Environmental Engineering professor Dr. Erica Marti started the program in 2018, in response to the needs of K-12 educators in her area. Teachers, she explains, were telling her that they wanted to get their students involved in hands-on learning. But they lacked either the resources, the time or the knowledge.



    Consequently, Tech Trekker provides them with all three.



    Meanwhile, David Rouhani is a Master's degree candidate in the area of environmental engineering. His work, like Erica's, focuses on water research. David is a key member of the Tech Trekker staff. His role as a manager often sees him accompanying the lab to schools and walking students through hands-on activities.



    Erica and David talked about their experiences with Tech Trekker, how the program works and what's next!







    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * What first inspired Erica and David to choose science and engineering as their career paths;



    * The story of the Tech Trekker program;



    * What an average day is like with the program;



    * What a teacher can expect, when requesting a visit from the mobile lab;



    * How Tech Trekker worked with one teacher to support her idea for a project;



    * A closer look at the technology which Erica and David recommend for arts-oriented students;



    * An exciting future degree that could result from this technology!;



    * Activities which Tech Trekker has available online, for "anybody, anywhere";



    * A storytelling approach,
    30 min
  • 360 Degrees of Leadership

    (Photo by Treion Films, event videographer, courtesy of Howard Robinson, and used with permission.)



    Opening up the future is what new virtual -reality-based educational program We Are VR Leaders is all about.



    We Are VR Leaders Founder Howard Robinson created the program to engage students and increase retention. Most importantly, though, We Are VR Leaders provides underserved students with access to a wider variety of learning opportunities,



    Howard, who is an educator, technologist and thought leader, is also the Founder and President of Gaming for Greatness.



    For Howard, his leadership journey began during his own academic career.



    As one of the top students in his South Side Chicago high school, he frequently guided classmates in their studies. And during his college career, one of his teaching positions was as a computer-science instructor for students in South Africa.



    Today, he uses cutting-edge technology to accomplish his dual missions: education and youth leadership.



    Virtual reality, Howard says, can transcend some of the obstacles students face, while allowing them to experience future career options. It can also keep them engaged.



    In fact, Howard says, getting the students to stop interacting with the VR lessons, may just be a challenge!



    And his new educational program is going to change some lives..



    We Are VR Leaders currently lists three different programs on their website. Currently,, the program is set to debut in two different states, for two different types of youth-serving organizations.



    But Howard says that's just the beginning.



    Howard shared the story of creating We Are VR Leaders, talked about some of his favorite experiences with the program and offered a preview of what could be next!



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * How Howard first became inspired to become a leader in education and technology;



    * A creative lesson from a unique past experience as an educator which he currently uses in his work with We Are VR Leaders;



    * How Howard first realized the educational potential of VR;



    * The story of We Are VR Leaders;



    * A timeline for the (scheduled) implementation of the program in a school system;



    * His advice for organizations on successfully implementing programs for underserved communities;



    * How to find out more about implementing the program for your school or organization;



    * A closer look at some of the curricula students will experience through We Are VR Leaders;



    * One of the best lessons Howard has learned as an educator, from his work with his new program;



    * An exciting development that's coming in the very near future!;



    * Howard's vision for We Are VR Leaders;



    * A look at the Art Therapy curriculum which Howard is currently developing in collaboration with nonprofit Smile Honey Child;;



    * One of the reactions Howard enjoyed most,
    36 min
  • “Space” for Innovation





    How would you like to go to summer Space Camp?



    Better yet, how would you like to go to Space Camp with attendees from all over the world? With everyone collaborating on a creative project in a playful environment?



    That's exactly the opportunity which ShapingEDU is offering anyone who'd like to participate.



    Oh--and it's free, and happening virtually. The dates: June 21-23, for three half-day sessions for which you can register here.



    ShapingEDU, created by Arizona State University, is a global community of passionate creatives. Their focus: coming up with ideas for positive change in education. And Stephanie Pierotti is ShapingEDU's first-ever Director.



    Annually, ShapingEDU hosts their "Global Virtual Summer Camp", with interactive sessions where attendees dream together, then collaborate to make those dreams a reality. This year's theme is "Space Camp".



    And Global Virtual Summer Camp is just one of ShapingEDU's events aimed at uniting innovators to create a better, more accessible education system.



    Stephanie talked about Space Camp,, what attendees can expect, and the ways ShapingEDU is "dreaming, doing and driving" to shape the future for lifelong learners.



    On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:



    * What first inspired Stephanie to become an "insatiably curious change maker";



    * The story of ShapingEDU;



    * Stephanie's experience putting together this year's Global Virtual Summer Camp;



    * What will be happening at this year's virtual "camp";



    * How some other countries' education systems incorporate ideas which Stephanie would like to see in practice in U.S. education;



    * What attendees will experience at Space Camp;



    * Some of the new "cool tools" for education which speakers will share during the sessions;



    * A new element, this year, which keeps sessions engaging;



    * One of Stephanie's favorite experiences while coordinating this year's Global Virtual Summer Camp event;



    * A closer look at ShapingEDU's global work and the role of Global Virtual Summer Camp in the larger picture;



    * The beginnings of a dream for the future;



    * A statistic about the future of the educational field that could surprise you!;



    * ShapingEDU's just-launched program to connect underserved communities with Internet access;



    * A vision for this program within the next year.
























































    24 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…