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

By Dot Cannon: Public Speaker & New-Media ReporterSociety & Culture Education Arts

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

May 31, 2021 Next Steps of Innovation
(Photo courtesy of Cybera, and used with permission.)

Merging Realities 2021 is just about to happen.

Hosted by Lethbridge College, in Alberta, Canada, this free annual virtual conference is a groundbreaker.

Speakers explore the latest developments in the virtual and augmented-reality fields. This year's conference, themed "Impact", will showcase different aspects of the use of these technologies in daily life.

"(VR is) not just for gaming. It has many applications,"says Lethbridge College's Kris Hodgson-Bright, Kris is a faculty member in Digital Communications and Media, as well as Multimedia Production. He is also part of the organizing committee for Merging Realities.

And Merging Realities is a trailblazer because, in 2018, Lethbridge College debuted it as the world's first conference hosted entirely in virtual reality.

Since then, the pandemic has pushed immersive technologies to center stage. In our 2019 conversation, Kris explained that Lethbridge was planning two new certificate programs in immersive media. Those have now evolved into two intensive study programs, accessible all over the world.

Kris offered an update of Lethbridge's work in immersive technologies, previewed Merging Realities 2021: Impact and discussed some of the ways he sees XR evolving to become students' future careers.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:

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An update of Lethbridge College's two new immersive programs and the ways the faculty have put their applied research in XR to use;

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What attendees will experience, when they virtually attend Merging Realities: Impact;

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A closer look at some of the VR programs the conference will be covering;

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How Lethbridge College has put immersive technologies to work in different sectors;

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The ways in which some of the new uses are changing common perceptions of virtual reality;

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How to overcome the "intimidation factor" when introducing newcomers to VR;

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What students will experience when they enroll in one of Lethbridge College's one-year certificate immersive media programs;

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The career options available to students who enroll in these programs;

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Kris' own use of VR applications;

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What's next, for Merging Realities;

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How newcomers to XR can start using immersive environments in their fields;

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How Lethbridge College can help!

27 min
May 25, 2021 XR’s Time to Shine

As the VR/AR Global Summit Online is just about to demonstrate, now is an exciting time for XR.

From Wednesday, June 2nd through Friday, June 4th, speakers from all over the world will explore new applications of augmented, virtual and extended reality. And there's never been a time when immersive technology is more relevant to daily life. Even as the pandemic ebbs, both consumers and businesses are using VR, AR and extended reality--XR--in new ways.

Accordingly, this summer's all-virtual show is themed, "The Time is Now". Sessions start at 7 am, Pacific time, on Wednesday, June 2, and run through the next two days.

Roundtable discussions, networking, interactive activities, and a track designed to introduce newcomers to the use of AR and VR, will all be a part of the event.

"It really is the time for this industry to shine," says VR/AR Global Summit Executive Producer Anne-Marie Enns.

"With everything that's happened in the past year...it's really been revolutionary, " says Natascha French, Los Angeles Chapter President of the VRARA.

"(It's built consumer and brand adoption of these technologies.) From sports, to retail, to medicine...across the board."

Both Anne-Marie and Natascha have considerable experience with the ways the pandemic has forced the XR industry to break new ground.
A catalyst for innovation
You'll recall, last year, Anne-Marie had six weeks to reinvent the summertime Global Summit. Originally planned as a three-hundred-person intimate event set to happen in Lisbon, she innovated the show into its 11,000-guest-plus all-online edition.

Meanwhile, Natascha came on board as Los Angeles Chapter President of the VRARA in July, 2020. The Fall, 2020 Global Summit Online marked her first virtual event in her new position. As explored during our 2020 conversation, her professional background in journalism and marketing puts storytelling at the core of her XR work.

Natascha and Anne-Marie previewed the upcoming VR/AR Global Summit, shared some of the new XR trends and technologies and discussed their experiences with XR in the past year.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:

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Why this year's show has a different energy than previous VR/AR Global Summits;

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A look at the ways immersive technology has allowed the arts to blossom during the pandemic;

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What attendees will experience as the VR/AR Global Summit begins;

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Some of the ethical considerations involved in immersive media;

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A closer look at the presentations in which Natascha will be participating;

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Some of the ways in which the VR/AR Global Summit Online will engage virtual attendees through interactive experiences (Hint: these fall under both professional and "fun" categories!);

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A preview of the show's content tracks;

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Some of the accessibility considerations involved in making VR and AR available to all users;

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How the VR/AR Global Summit will introduce newcomers to virtual and augmented reality;

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The VR/AR Global Summit's new track on diversity and inclusion;

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A look behind the scenes, as Natascha and Anne-Marie prepare for the 2021 VR/AR Global Summit;

The 2021 VR/AR Global Summit starts at 7am, PST, on Wednesday, June 2nd and runs through 1:45 pm, PST, Friday, June 4th. Here's the link for information
40 min
May 17, 2021 The Tech: A Spirit of Innovation

"Everybody is an innovator," says The Tech Interactive President and CEO Katrina Stevens.

And she and her staff have been living that statement.

Since 1998, San Jose's STEAM-oriented science center, The Tech Interactive, has been introducing small visitors--and tall ones!--to science and engineering concepts. These activities are fun- and exploration-oriented. Often, visitors to The Tech don't even realize how much they're learning.

But with 2020, Katrina, and her staff, faced a unique challenge. With their physical location closed due to COVID, they still needed to continue "inspiring the innovator in everyone".

"Our doors were not open, but we were still open for business," Katrina says.

Within a matter of weeks, The Tech rolled out their remote-education program, "Tech At Home", Creativity and fun are at its very core.

Which is even more exciting when we add one fact: Katrina began serving at The Tech's first female CEO and President in November, 2020.

In other words, she never met her new staff "in person". She and her crew accomplished their collaborative projects, including a Tech Challenge competition and a new exhibit, "Solve for Earth", remotely.

But with a background in learning science which included serving as Deputy Director for the Office of Educational Technology during the Obama Administration, Katrina inspired her team to soar beyond their previous excellence.

And today, they're gearing up for a new adventure.

The Tech Interactive's Grand Reopening, of their physical site in San Jose, happens Saturday, May 29th!

Katrina talked about her experiences, taking the helm of The Tech, offered a preview of their grand reopening and shared some concepts and resources for fellow education professionals who'd like to inspire students to explore STEM concepts.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:

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How Katrina (who has an arts background) first realized the power of technology in education;

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How she and her staff pivoted, to continue providing STEAM lessons and resources during the pandemic;

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A preview of The Tech's May 29th reopening;

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A closer look at the brand-new exhibit, "Solve for Earth"

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A much better alternative to "drilling" kids over summer, to keep them learning and having fun;

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Some of the very cool inventions students makers created, during The Tech's recent Tech Challenge;

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Some of the maker challenges which The Tech offers in their "Tech at Home" section (including some for arts-oriented students!);

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The story of the time capsule which The Tech created as they opened (and how some of the predictions for twenty years later played out!);

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A current time-capsule project for the future!;

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Some of the considerations involved in The Tech's programming, in their mission of making STEAM and engineering activities accessible to all students;

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One surprising insight into getting girls interested in robotics;

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How The Tech is changing perceptions and unconscious biases to open STEM education and maker activities to all students;

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Some of the maker exercises which The Tech offers and which their young participants are sharing on Tik Tok;

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Katrina's advice on a "superpower" for teachers,
36 min
May 10, 2021 Imagination, Passion and Robotics
Programming a robot, and "fun", were once two unrelated concepts.

iRobot's Root® Coding Robot brings them together.

Root® teaches coding by engaging the imagination of students, "ages 4 to 99".   Interacting with the robot, they may not realize just how much they're learning.

They're busy playing games, getting the robot to draw, write, climb, make music, and a host of other beginner-friendly coding activities.

"Students need to be exposed to (STEM in elementary school), even pre-K," says iRobot STEM Program Manager Lisa Freed.

Accordingly, the Root®'s coding lessons start with simple drag-and drop procedures. Then, as students grow and learn, they progress through three learning levels .   Text-based Level Three is based in the Python programming language.

"We're always adding (curriculum) to support users who are going beyond Level One," says iRobot Learning Designer Anna Elzer. And a key concept, she says, is keeping the lessons engaging.

Sparking educators' creativity, as well as students', is a high priority as well.   Anna designs many of the curricula for the Root® robot.

"We have this library of really fun, engaging games," explains Senior Learning Designer Rebecca Attia. "I'm really looking forward to (supporting teachers)."

Students don't even need to have the physical robot, to learn to code virtually.   iRobot's resources include a virtual robot simulator!

Lisa, Anna and Rebecca talked about their experiences, shared the story of iRobot's Root® Coding Robot and offered a look at the upcoming resources iRobot will be offering in the near future.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:

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How Lisa, Anna and Rebecca first became engaged in robotics;

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The story of the Root® Coding Robot;

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A look at some of the educational resources which iRobot offers;

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Considerations involved for Anna, as she creates lessons for the Root robot;

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Some of her sources of creative inspiration in this process;

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Advice for teachers who are just getting started, teaching and learning with the coding interface;

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A look at how the robot can work, for participants of all ages;

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How the three "Learn Levels" work;

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Some of the arts-related activities that will get everyone coding and having fun!;

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How iRobot is reaching out to classrooms all around the country, and reaching underserved students with coding training;

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How the "virtual robot" works, for students who may not have the physical resources;

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Some of the ways iRobot is supporting teachers, especially those new to coding;

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Upcoming new programs and resources (which are constantly being updated) and how to access them;

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Some favorite creative experiences which Rebecca, Anna and Lisa had with the Root®.

Check out iRobot's free curricula on their webpage. And don't miss a chance to program their virtual robot simulator!

Here's where to subscribe to iRobot's newsletter!
34 min
May 03, 2021 Tetavi: A Sense of Presence

3D holographic video used to be the stuff of science fiction.

So did the concept of having it platform-agnostic. And so did the idea of interactive holograms.

Today, thanks to Israel-based Tetavi, all of these have become a reality. And the technology continues to evolve, to something even more exciting for content creators.

Tetavi, founded in 2016,has created breakthrough technology which allows users to create and share 3D holographic content for both AR and VR. Performers, storytellers and creatives in general get to capture moments in time and share them wherever and whenever they like. And Tetavi's technology allows artificial intelligence to create realistic avatars for users.

Filmmaker Roi Lev, who is Tetavi's Director of Business Development, says that's just the beginning. More and more accessibility, he says, is coming in the very near future. And what's happening with Tetavi could reshape the ways our world creates and shares content.

During our conversation, Roi shared his experiences working on creative projects with Tetavi, explained how the technology works and offered some insights on what we might expect, in the future.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:

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How Roi first became interested in using technology plus his creative talent to create the future;

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What Tetavi is, and how it works;

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Why this technology could be the future of content;

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A project Roi directed which illustrates how Tetavi works;

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The creative challenges which this particular work presented, during the early days of the pandemic;

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How artificial intelligence is involved;

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Roi's vision for this technology as part of a larger ecosystem;

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A recent Tetavi project which could be a prototype for future content interaction;

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The "content revolution" with Roi sees occurring, as our concept of content creation changes;

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A hint at future ways users can interact with Tetavi (we can't wait to hear more!);

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A content-collaboration partnership that's increasing their accessibility;

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How Tetavi builds the sense of warmth and authenticity into their avatar creation;

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How Tetavi recently put their technology to work for the Never Again Project;

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One of the best creative lessons he's learned, from his work with this groundbreaking technology;

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What Roi foresees changing, within the next few years, in the ways we interact with content;

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Some of his favorite resources, for fellow creatives who would like to design content in 3D.

28 min
April 27, 2021 Robotics, No Limits

"Success for anybody looks (different)," says Unified Robotics creator Delaney Foster.

And since 2015, her first-of-its kind robotics program has allowed students of all abilities to explore their personal definitions of success.

As a high-school student, Delaney had discovered her passion for robotics through First Robotics competitions. But these opportunities weren't available to her sister, who has autism. Nor were her sister's friends able to compete in the robotics-team events.

Delaney, who describes her older sister as her best friend, changed those circumstances.

Working with her First Robotics team and a special-education teacher, she implemented the first Unified Robotics program in her school. The groundbreaking program paired robotics-team members with students with special needs, to collaborate on creating a LEGO Mindstorms robot. Six weeks later, those robots would "face off" in a competition of their own.

This pilot program was such a success that Special Olympics partnered with them in their second year. Currently, the program has seen more than 120 teams, and more than 400 students impacted, according to Unified Robotics' website. This past school year, due to the pandemic, the robotic competition went virtual. Delaney says that pre-pandemic years have seen students in seven states competing, and the program has generated interest in Greece, as well as sparking its own competition in United Arab Emirates.

Delaney shared the history of the program, talked about some of her favorite experiences and explained what's involved, for anyone who would like to start a Unified Robotics program locally.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:

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How Delaney first discovered her passion for robotics;

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The story of Unified Robotics;

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How robotics-team students learned from their counterparts with special needs, while working together;

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Delaney's favorite memories, from the first Unified Robotics competition;

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How the Special Olympics became involved, as a partner;

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The directions in which the program has grown, so far;

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Plans for the upcoming school year;

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What's involved, for education professionals who would like to bring a Unified Robotics club to their school;

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How Unified Robotics and their partners assist schools in starting a club;

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What parents can expect, when their students participate in the program;

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How the program's flexibility works for students with a wide range of abilities;

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What the program needs most in achieving its ultimate goals;

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How the Unified Robotics program inspired Delaney's sister, as well as other students with special needs;

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An imaginative way in which a robotics student mentor engaged Delaney's sister in overcoming an obstacle;

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The ways in which tech companies are beginning to make job opportunities available to applicants with different abilities.

30 min
April 19, 2021 Starting Point: The Moon
(Graphic courtesy of NASA, and used with permission.)

NASA's current work on its Artemis lunar exploration program may seem like the stuff of science fiction.

Which makes it that much more mind-blowing.

Plans and preparations continue for the multiple-mission project, designed to return humans to the Moon within the next few years. But rather than a final objective, that return will be the beginning of more far-reaching research.

Currently, NASA is at work on the Gateway: a lunar outpost, designed to orbit the Moon. Gateway, according to NASA's website, will support long-term human presence on the lunar surface, and serve as a staging point for deep space exploration.

That includes possible future trips to Mars.

The lunar-exploration program, as detailed on NASA's website, will involve three separate Artemis flights.

The third, Artemis III, will include the first female astronaut to set foot on the lunar surface. Once on the Moon, the astronauts will be conducting research from a lunar "base camp". Their work will directly impact how we do business on Earth, as well as leading to more sustainable ways of interacting with our environment.

Here is a special update, starring NASA Mission Design and Planetary Science specialist Matt Wittal, on what's been happening with the Artemis program since our discussion in 2019!
On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:

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What's been happening sincw our 2019 discussion with Matt (and, UPDATE--since this was recorded, NASA has announced its choice of SpaceX to build the rocket that will fly astronauts to the Moon. And congratulations to everyone at NASA on Ingenuity's historic, first successful flight!);

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What was going on during the recent "hot fire" test;

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A look at what will be happening, with the Artemis project and beyond;

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Some of the safety and sustainability considerations involved, in creating the missions to the Moon (and ultimately to Mars);

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Considerations involved, in determining the location for a Moon landing;

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Some of the program's upcoming milestones;

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What will be happening as Artemis II returns astronauts to orbiting the Moon;

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How the design of the Artemis mission has evolved, since 2019;

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How other nations are collaborating with the Artemis lunar-exploration program;

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Some of the science goals of the mission;

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One of the coolest technologies Matt has seen in spacecraft development within the last year;

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What the Artemis III crew will be doing, after they arrive at the Moon;

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Some of the educational opportunities coming up in the future, as the Artemis launches get closer;

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What Matt considers some of his most exciting moments as he works on the Artemis program.

Over Coffee®, and Two Maverix® Multimedia, are not, in any way, shape or form, affiliated with, nor endorsed by, NASA. (We just think this is seriously cool!)

25 min
April 12, 2021 GBE: Cultivating Initiative

What if YOUR science class could provide valuable data to NASA?

What if they could research new areas--with no "textbook" answers? And, what if students' ultimate discoveries could benefit astronauts aboard the International Space Station?

That's exactly the opportunity which Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's Director of Education Amy Padolf has implemented, with Fairchild's innovative "Growing Beyond Earth" project.

Operating in partnership with NASA, this classroom-based citizen science program engages students in a series of plant experiments. Their goals: to find new crops which could grow effectively aboard the ISS during long-term missions into deep space.

Students use equipment similar to the ISS's "Veggie" Vegetable Production System. Keeping considerations such as nutrition, taste and the plant's overall adaptability in mind, they grow their crops throughout the school year. Then, they have the opportunity to present their findings to NASA scientists and researchers, during the annual Student Research Symposium.

Amy says that around 250 schools are currently participating in the "Growing Beyond Earth" project. AND--Fairchild is accepting applications for the upcoming school year!

Amy talked about her background, shared the story of the "Growing Beyond Earth" project and offered a look at some of the ways students have been learning and growing, as they explore!
On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:

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How Amy's experiences, as a student, led to her passion for botany and education;

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The story of the "Growing Beyond Earth" project;

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A look at the participating schools and how the project works;

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How interested educators can get their schools involved for the coming academic year!;

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What's involved for a teacher, as far as a time commitment goes, when participating in the "Growing Beyond Earth" project;

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Some of the requirements, for successfully growing crops aboard the ISS;

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One major success, and one major learning opportunity, for the "Growing Beyond Earth" project during the past school year;

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Some of the impacts of the students' work;

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How the project awakened an interest in one teenage student;

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What the project means to makers (professionals, as well as students!);

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What's coming next!;

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How you can get involved and support the project (which doesn't have to be strictly financial support!)

Meanwhile, here are two not-to-be-missed videos! NASA scientists Dr. Gioia Massa and Trent Smith discuss the "Growing Beyond Earth" project here. And here's the link to Amy's TEDx Talk, "Learning From History, Preparing for the Future", delivered at TEDx Coconut Grove!
31 min
April 05, 2021 The Wild: VR Travel, Plus
Over Coffee® is on Easter-week hiatus! Please enjoy this update of one of our favorite VR episodes of 2020 as we look forward to the second annual VRARA Global Summit, in June, 2021!
(Photo courtesy of The Wild, and used with permission.)

Maybe you can't physically travel, right now. But with The Wild's virtual and extended reality, you can go anywhere.

And once you're there, you can play, collaborate and even host a party!

In June, 2020 The Wild Founder/CEO Gabe Paez gave a keynote, "The Virtualization of Transportation", at the VR/AR Association's first-ever all-virtual global summit. He offered some exciting ideas about reimagining travel, collaboration, education and even play, courtesy of extended reality.

But Gabe didn't simply discuss these concepts.

He demonstrated them--as The Wild hosted the 2020 VR AR Global Student Design competition!

Here is our interview with Gabe, recorded just a few weeks prior to the VRARA's 2020 Global Summit. For 2021, we can't wait to see what else The Wild will come up with!
On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

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How a unique professional challenge ultimately led to Gabe’s interest in working with immersive technology;

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The immersive-software insights that led Gabe to create The Wild;

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How The Wild mirrors the physical world;

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Why XR may provide a preferable alternative to physical travel for creative collaboration;

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How virtualized transportation could be beneficial in the educational and medical fields;

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A look at some possible personal-use scenarios of virtualized environments.

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Something new that Gabe and his team had, literally, just added to The WIld, at the time of our conversation.

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AND--some milestones that have occurred for The Wild, since we spoke!

Who else is "going" to the VR/AR Association's Global Summit? They're actually hosting TWO virtual events. Their summer edition, Wednesday, June 2 through Friday, June 4, will be in accordance with the North American time zone. Then, their autumn edition, happening Wednesday, September 29th through Friday, October 1, is on the European time zone. From experience, it's well worth setting an early alarm clock to attend!
27 min
March 30, 2021 MetaVRse: XR Magic

"We've really tried to design this, so it's not just for hard-core coders," says MetaVRse Co-Founder Alan Smithson.

He's talking about the MetaVRse 3D content creation engine. Designed by Alan and his wife and company co-founder Julie (who is Chair of XRWomen.com), this web-based platform enables anyone to design interactive 3D experiences.

No code is necessary, and the MetaVRse engine has both free and paid accounts available.

The MetaVRse engine, meanwhile, is a means to accomplishing the main goal of the Ontario-based company Alan and Julie have created.

Also named MetaVRse, the company's mission, as stated on LinkedIn, is to unlock the power of spatial computing for everyone.

Users of the MetaVRse engine drag and drop, to create their content. With the engine, Alan and Julie have created a number of virtual applications. Just recently, they introduced their virtual showroom! Shoppers can view a product, virtually, in numerous colors, or even (as in the case of the athletic shoes pictured) customize what they would like to buy.

Alan shared the story of MetaVRse, explained several ways users can create content with the platform and offered a look at the ways immersive content will be incorporated into the world of the future.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:

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How XR first came on Alan's radar;

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How the pace of innovation is accelerating (and where it's going!);

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The story of the MetaVRse 3D creation engine;

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How to create 3D files, without code;

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A look inside the MetaVRse virtual showroom;

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A projection of job skills for the future;

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The ways in which Alan foresees spatial computing evolving;

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What Alan has enjoyed most about both MetaVRse (the company) and the MetaVRse engine in the last six months;

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How Alan's talks, including his TEDX talk "The Marriage of Technology and Education", serve as "yardsticks" for the way innovation has accelerated;

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And, one more resource for keeping up with the future--plus a great book!

31 min

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

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

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