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
Download on the App Store

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

  • Inventive Fun in 3D–and More
    An Over Coffee® special-edition podcast

    Mark your calendar.   Next Saturday and Sunday, November 9th and 10th, Maker Faire Orlando is adding a "fun" aspect to everyone's weekend!

    And 3D printing is just one of the areas you'll get to explore.

    DeltaMaker is one of the main sponsors of Maker Faire Orlando.  Their story is a fun one.  Three creative people, a successful Kickstarter campaign...



    ...and today, desktop 3D printers which make all kinds of cool things.

    At Podcast Movement 2019, we had the pleasure of talking with maker, podcaster and trainer Andy Stetzinger.  Andy is DeltaMaker's Marketing and Outreach Manager.  He loves making things and sharing what he's created, and he offered both a preview of Maker Faire Orlando and some great tips on using 3D printing to promote your own creative projects!

    As an update, the printer to which Andy referred, during our conversation, is now available in their "Beta 30" phase!
    On thie edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Andy first began his creative journey, as a maker;

    *
    How he first discovered 3D printing and put it to work in his own creative pursuits;

    *
    The story of DeltaMaker and their projects;

    *
    How DeltaMaker has streamlined 3D printing to save time for makers;

    *
    How 3D printing can supply something special for podcasters (and by extension, anyone with a personal brand!);

    *
    A preview of Maker Faire Orlando, coming up November 9-10;

    *
    What’s happening at MakerFX, an education-oriented makerspace in Orlando;

    *
    When you can come in and see that for yourself, for free (hint: this happens weekly!);

    *
    How a maker at Maker FX came up with a class and “open make” in a matter of days.


    Don’t miss Maker Faire Orlando!  It’s coming up November 9-10, 2019, at Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Halls.
     
    24 min
  • A New Dimension of Play
    (Photo courtesy of Tilt Five, and used with permission.)

    You move your game piece, and it breathes fire.   Or a chasm opens, in the table.  Or a creepy fog wafts out of your hand and settles over the surface.

    Sound dreamlike?  It's the (augmented) reality of Tilt Five's new holographic gaming system.

    (Image courtesy of Tilt Five, and used with permission.)

    Tilt Five, based in the Bay Area, has combined the elements of a traditional board game with video gaming, through augmented reality.  And to say that they're just wrapping up a highly successful Kickstarter campaign would be an understatement.

    Tilt Five Co-Founder and CEO Jeri Ellsworth says Tilt Five's holographic gaming system is the end result of years of work in augmented reality.

    Launching their Kickstarter campaign, their goal was to raise $450,000, to manufacture the product.

    Backers supplied that amount in less than a day--and kept going.  Tilt Five now has plans to ship their holographic gaming system in 2020.

    Meanwhile, their Kickstarter campaign wraps up at midnight, Pacific time, on Monday, October 28, 2019.

    Their "stretch goal"?   To raise $2,000,000.

    (Photo courtesy of Tilt Five, and used with permission.)

    Jeri told the story of Tilt Five, offered a look into the creative process behind the game and explained some of the uses for the system, beyond simply gaming.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Jeri first became interested in creating in augmented reality;

    *
    Why the Tilt Five system is designed to be all-inclusive for anyone who would like to use it;

    *
    What the first moments of Tilt Five's demo are like;

    *
    How the games progress,in the system;

    *
    The more advanced content available as users get accustomed to the system;

    *
    Interactions unique to the Tilt Five system;

    *
    One good creative mistake which Jeri made, while developing the new system;

    *
    An engineering challenge (and a triumph!) involved in the project design;

    *
    One of Jeri's favorite moments, so far, in the creative journey.

    *
    Other professional uses for the kit, in addition to gameplay;

    *
    A unique property in the system that makes it educator-friendly;

    *
    What happens for Jeri and her team after the Kickstarter campaign closes.

    29 min
  • The Science of Sword-Swallowing
    An Over Coffee® special-edition podcast

    Kids, don't try this at home--times about ninety!

    Cyrus Pynn, who goes by the stage name, "Cydeshow Cy", is a professional circus artist.



    And there's a considerable amount of science in his art.

    When we visited ScareLA, Southern California's first summertime Halloween convention, in 2018, Cy was on-hand, performing for the crowd.   "Crowd-pleaser" would be an understatement, for his program of sword-swallowing and (towards the end) eating a lightbulb!  We had also seen him perform in 2017, and he was amazing.

    For 2019, Cy has just wrapped up performances at the Northern California Renaissance Faire, as well as with TruVariety Entertainment, according to his Facebook page.  And for Halloween, he's off to South Dakota, to perform at Cadillac Jack's Gaming Resort's "Freak Night" on October 26th.

    At ScareLA 2018. we sat down for a quick conversation about the science behind his art.



     
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Cy first became interested in sideshow acts;

    *
    What the learning process is, in learning sideshow skills;

    *
    Where Cy learned his professional skills:

    *
    How he learned to swallow two different types of swords;

    *
    What the process of sword-swallowing is like;

    *
    The science behind swallowing swords safely;

    *
    Where Cy focuses his mind, in order to swallow swords;

    *
    What’s involved in eating a light bulb (kids, don’t try this at home either!);

    *
    Why Cy chose sideshow performing, as opposed to other areas of performance arts;

    *
    What anyone giving a presentation, or leading a class or session, could learn from his showmanship.


    Like to see Cy perform live?   He'll be at Queen Mary's Dark Harbor in Long Beach for two days only, this Halloween season: Halloween, Thursday, October 31st and then on Friday, November 1st.
    Can't make those dates?  Cy messaged that he'll also be at Escondido Renaissance Faire.  According to their website, those dates are October 26-27th and November 2-3.
    AND, Cy says he's also performing at the Dickens Fair, in the Bay Area, during the Christmas season!
    14 min
  • Delivering Deluxe Chills
    This is an Over Coffee® special-edition podcast, incorporating our 2018 interview.
    This Halloween, Los Angeles-based virtual reality publisher Fun Train VR is set to scare even more horror fans.

    And that's a good thing.

    In time for Halloween, 2019, they're released a deluxe edition of their first product, The Exorcist: Legion VR, on the STEAM website.  The Exorcist: Legion VR is licensed from Morgan Creek Film Partners, and based on the classic horror movie.   The title was developed by Wolf & Wood.

    And the experience immerses horror fans in a terrifying scenario of a murder mystery against the backdrop of demonic possession.

     

    Fun Train originally released The Exorcist: Legion VR as a five-episode experience in October, 2018.  Since then, emails Fun Train VR Founder and CEO Douglas Nabors , YouTube playthroughs by fans have generated nearly 15 million views.

    (Photo courtesy of Fun Train, and used with permission. Photographer: Karen Strauss, difficultegg.com)

    Douglas also says The Exorcist: Legion VR received an exciting honor.  In May 2019, it was one of fifty exclusive titles to launch the Oculus Quest headset.

    This headset, Douglas explains, is the first step towards virtual reality becoming a mass-market industry.

    But--that's just Chapter One for Douglas and Fun Train VR.  They've just announced their second title, currently in production.

    As another classic title, very different from the horror genre, this will also be an experience based on storytelling.

    Here is Douglas' account, originally recorded in 2018, of the creation of The Exorcist: Legion VR, and the resources he recommends to fellow creatives.
    On this edition of Over Coffee® , you’ll hear:

    *
    How Douglas first became interested in creating entertainment as his life’s work;

    *
    How he first discovered virtual reality as a vehicle for storytelling;

    *
    What the creative process was like, in bringing The Exorcist: Legion VR to life in virtual reality;

    *
    Parts of The Exorcist: Legion VR that actually scared Douglas–even though he knows they’re coming!

    *
    One of the biggest creative challenges Douglas and his team encountered, while telling a story in episodic virtual reality;

    *
    The resources Douglas recommends, for anyone who wants to create stories or games in virtual reality;

    *
    His vision for the ways Fun Train VR will be evolving and upgrading their VR experiences in the future.

    28 min
  • The Maker As Storyteller
    (Photo courtesy of Mitchell Malpartida, and used with permission.)

    Freelance technologist Mitchell Malpartida is "scary" creative, when it comes to STEAM.

    And he says storytelling is a crucial element of the maker experience. 

    As the founder of Masterful Creations STEAM Academy, Mitchell teaches science, technology, engineering, art and math through maker projects.  His students don't necessarily realize that they're doing engineering--or combining art and science.  They just know they're making cool things that move, light up, and make sounds.

    And Mitchell says his three daughters and young son are always challenging him, as a maker.

    He's again rising to that challenge, by developing some spooky-fun major Halloween STEAM projects.

    We won't spoil them for you.  However, these are both a lot of fun--and projects that could easily inspire fellow makers!  Mitchell will be posting video and instructions on Masterful Creations STEAM Academy's webpage in the very near future--and just in time for Halloween!

    And definitely, check out his YouTube channel for a very impressive school project his ten-year-old daughter created, using maker skills and a lot of imagination.

    Meanwhile, if you didn't hear Mitchell's guest appearance on our onsite special Over Coffee® Valentine show, here's the link (we made animatronic Valentines afterwards)!

    Mitchell talked about his background as a maker, previewed three major STEAM projects he's creating for Halloween 2019 and explained some of the components he's using.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Mitchell first realized the value of storytelling in maker projects;

    *
    Three highly innovative Halloween projects on which he's currently working;

    *
    An animated school project which his ten-year-old daughter did, of which he's especially proud;

    *
    One of the best "maker lessons" Mitchell himself has learned, from his work with Masterful Creations STEAM Academy;

    *
    One project that didn't work as envisioned, in the initial design;

    *
    How "pivoting" can be a learning lesson when projects don't work out

    *
    A preview of some of Mitchell's new projects, once Halloween is over.

    28 min
  • Helping the Future Take Flight


    How can drones provide a core element in education?  How can they help students learn practical skills?

    There are all kinds of ways, says Autonomy Foundation Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer Misha Houser.

    Misha has an extensive background in both the arts and the sciences.   Her murals are on display in a public park.  Her professional experience includes serving as Chief Operations Officer for nonprofit Tesla Foundation Group.  She also served as Assistant Program Manager for Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.  And her areas of expertise include both public relations and journalism.

    And with the Autonomy Foundation, she and her team are offering students a unique educational program.  At its core: drones, drone flight, and the different aspects of what drones can accomplish.  Among the subjects students learn: entrepreneurship, coding, and engineering.

    In short, they're learning STEAM--science, technology, engineering, art and math.  And they're preparing for a future workplace in which they'll be very comfortable with robotics.



    The Autonomy Foundation first partnered with Magnolia High School, in Anaheim, in 2018, according to the high school's webpage.   Sixteen students trained in the Drone Pilot Training Course that autumn.  The plan: to enroll and train an additional sixteen students every semester.

    Meanwhile, Misha says, the Autonomy Foundation is just beginning its outreach to schools.   Their website will be up and running with online training in early 2020, and anyone in the educational field who'd like to reach out to her about the possibility of getting their school involved, is welcome to do so!
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How the educational drone program first came about;

    *
    Some of the innovative ideas students had, during the first cohort;

    *
    How the Autonomy Foundation evolved from these early classes;

    *
    Where the Autonomy Foundation will be expanding, in the future;

    *
    How the drone program can inspire arts-oriented students;

    *
    What Autonomy Foundation did during Imaginology, in Costa Mesa in April;

    *
    A basic lesson in flying a drone!;

    *
    What students must do to pass their final (hint: this is fun!);

    *
    Where you can meet Misha and talk with her more at length (she's appearing at an airshow in early October!)

    *
    Her lessons on starting a nonprofit;

    *
    How to support Autonomy Foundation as the program grows;

    *
    A timeline for their additional curriculum;

    *
    Misha's favorite aspect of the drone program.


     
    24 min
  • To the Moon–and Beyond
    (Photo courtesy of NASA, and used with permission.)

    Lunar outposts used to be the stuff of science fiction.

    But today, NASA is designing one--as part of the Artemis lunar exploration program!

    Artemis, a multiple-mission project, is scheduled to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024.

    And once there, the crew--including the first female astronaut to set foot on the moon--will be exploring new lunar regions.  They'll also be collecting ice, just discovered in 2009,  from the Moon's South Pole.

    The first phases of Artemis involve transporting sections of a lunar orbiter called Gateway up to the Moon.  It'll be smaller than the ISS, and will be robotically controlled in between visits from the astronauts, says Gateway Logistics Element Project Member Matt Wittal.

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

    Matt, who works in NASA Mission Design and Planetary Science Systems at Kennedy Space Center, explained that Gateway would  serve as a "home away from home" for astronauts on future lunar missions.

    But as mind-blowing as all of this is, the ultimate goal isn't lunar exploration.  Nor is it, simply, creating a "mini-city" for Moon habitation.

    Instead, the Artemis program is being designed as a step towards missions to Mars.

    Matt talked about Artemis, explained the timeline for the multiple missions and offered a preview of what the astronauts can expect, when they return to the Moon.

    (Over Coffee®, and yours truly, are not, in any way, shape or form, affiliated with, or endorsed by, NASA.  We just find this a very cool topic!   Here are NASA's links for more information on NASA Artemis, and on NASA Gateway.)
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Matt first became interested in space technology;

    *
    His journey, from there, into NASA Mission Design;

    *
    What will be involved, in the phases of the Artemis program;

    *
    What Matt's currently designing, for NASA Gateway;

    *
    The lessons from previous missions, which enable NASA to create Gateway;

    *
    Some of the considerations involved in designing for living and staying on the lunar surface;

    *
    What happens in 2024, once the astronauts get to the Moon;

    *
     What each of the Artemis missions will be doing;

    *
    Some of the technologies that will make Gateway's operation possible;

    *
    Some of NASA's resources for makers and educators;

    *
    What Moon and Mars exploration will mean on Earth;

    *
    What Matt considers "the most fun thing" of working on Artemis;

    *
    How the process of transporting supplies to space differs, in real life, from science-fiction films;

    *
    What it will be like, to be on the Lunar Gateway and explore the Moon;

    *
    Additional projects astronauts might conduct, on the Moon, in addition to gathering lunar ice;

    *
    Some of the "surprises" we may find, on other planets and in space;

    *
    The art involved, in designing missions to the Moon (and ultimately, to Mars);

    *
    A timeline for the Artemis mission launches--and an estimate for Mars!

    25 min
  • Flowers, Tech and Magic


    Every New Year's Day since 1989, Fiesta Parade Floats have wowed Rose Parade® viewers.

    Fiesta is the leading award-winning float builder in the history of Pasadena's Rose Parade®.  In 2017, they set a Guinness World Record for the longest, heaviest float, "Lucy Pet".  Their past creations have incorporated waterfalls, stages, and all kinds of automatio.

    And, of course, those record-setting surfing dogs of 2017 Lucy Pet fame.

    Every New Year's Day,  Tournament of Roses® judges vote on the best floats in the parade.  For 2019, nine of Fiesta's thirteen entries won awards.

    That total includes the top prize: the Sweepstakes Award, for "Most beautiful entry: encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment".



    The 2019 winner: the UPS Store float, "Books Keep Us On Our Toes", which Fiesta created.

     

    Fiesta Project Manager Beverly Stansbury is a second-generation float builder.   We talked about the art, science and logistics of creating Rose Parade floats--as Fiesta prepares twelve of them for the 2020 Rose Parade on New Year's Day!

     
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    What drew Beverly into choosing float building as her life's work;

    *
    A mini-preview of what Fiesta Parade Floats is currently creating, for the 131st Rose Parade®;

    *
    Some of the engineering considerations involved in creating a larger float, like The UPS Store's 2019 "Books Keep Us On Our Toes";

    *
    Ways in which the float building industry is changing, and how those changes present a challenge with float design and decoration;

    *
    The cost of having a float built for the Rose Parade®--and why that figure really isn't a lot of money for what's provided!

    *
    Perspectives on keeping the Rose Parade® going in a changing world;

    *
    How Fiesta Parade Floats involves the community in decorating their floats;

    *
    The magic element of float building which Beverly, despite her experience, still finds "amazing";

    *
    The work schedule involved for float builders like Fiesta, through the year;

    *
    Where Fiesta currently is, with their projects for the 2020 Rose Parade®;

    *
    What's involved in "test driving" the floats, prior to the parade!;

    *
    How Beverly and the team deal with "Murphy's Law" on the way to the parade route;

    *
    Where she finds creative inspiration, each year, for the new floats;

    *
    What Fiesta's work schedules are like, as the Rose Parade® gets closer (and afterwards);

    *
    A common float builder's nightmare!

    36 min
  • B-Relyt: Education Plus Impact
    (Photo courtesy of "B", and used with permission.)

    Nonprofit B-Relyt is all about empowering students in the Black community.

    But what founder Kimlin Johnson and her husband and family are teaching, goes far beyond expertise in science, technology, engineering, art and math.

    As a Saturday program, B-Relyt provides an opportunity for students, fifth grade and up, to get a firm educational foundation.   They get to practice math, ask questions and see what the subject has to do with their everyday lives.   They also get to build "cool stuff" in the science portion of the program.

    Kimlin and her husband Stan, both engineers, are in charge of the math and science.  Meanwhile, daughter Tyler and son Isaiah are helping with the arts component.  In the future, the curriculum will include Black history, communications, art and possibly music.

    And the goal: to make an impact, not just in the students' future careers, but by teaching them self-confidence and life skills.    In addition to her background as an engineer, Kimlin is the author of Authenticity, Accountability, and Ambitions: Speaking the Truth Through a Black Woman's Eyes.  Her book provides both code and a vision for a better world, and information on Black history which was never taught in schools, in the past.

    Kimlin talked about her background as a civil engineer, how she and her family came to create their nonprofit and what students experience in the program.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Kimlin first became inspired to make engineering her career;

    *
    The story of  B-Relyt;

    *
    How B-Relyt is inspiring students in a local school with Saturday STEAM classes;

    *
    What students experience in a B-Relyt Saturday class;

    *
    Where art fits in the engineering equation;

    *
    The "real-life" applications of math and science which Kimlin and Stan are teaching;

    *
    How B-Relyt relates Black history to inspiring students today;

    *
    The ways B-Relyt reaches students with different learning styles;

    *
    What Kimlin's arts-oriented daughter learned from a STEM experience that enhanced her artistic talents;

    *
    The challenges Kimlin, Stan and B-Relyt are looking to surmount, in the Black community;

    *
    Kimlin's vision for expanding the program to serve more students, within the next few years;

    *
    How the average listener can help;

    *
    One of the best learning experiences Kimlin herself has had, as an educator, while teaching her students.

    *
    A preview of her book, Authenticity, Accountability, and Ambition;

    *
    Kimlin's advice to teachers on improving education;

    *
    And, a memory of the educator who inspired her the most!


     
    22 min
  • Merging Realities: A New Frontier
    (Photograph courtesy of Cybera, and used with permission.)

    The world's first conference held entirely in virtual reality?

    That's exactly what Lethbridge College, in Alberta, Canada, has created.

    In spring, 2018, Lethbridge hosted its inaugural version of "Merging Realities".  This is a free, day-long academic conference, focusing on virtual and augmented reality.

    The highly-successful conference has now become an annual event.   After another, equally-popular edition this spring, plans are in the works for Merging Realities 2020.

    And Merging Realities is just one aspect of an exciting new direction.  Lethbridge College has just begun offering a one-year Virtual and Augmented Reality Program.  They also have plans, in the future, for more extensive academic programs, according to School of Media and Design Chair Kris Hodgson-Bright.

    (Photograph courtesy of Cybera, and used with permission.)

    Kris talked about the process of creating Merging Realities, offered a preview of the upcoming 2020 conference and shared his vision for Lethbridge's future curriculum in VR and AR.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Kris first became aware of VR as a journalistic and educational medium;

    *
    What was involved in the creative process behind the Merging Realities conference;

    *
    The figures on worldwide engagement for the first conference;

    *
    One of Kris's favorite memories from the inaugural event;

    *
    Some of the resources he recommends, for creating a virtual-reality conference;

    *
    Some of the best lessons Kris and the staff learned, which they're currently using while creating the 2020 conference;

    *
    A projected date for the next conference;

    *
    A "sneak preview" of what may be happening during Merging Realities 2020;

    *
    More about the brand-new Certificate Program Lethbridge College is launching, in virtual and augmented reality;

    *
    Where to find out more about both the certificate program, and the upcoming Merging Realities conference;

    *
    What attendees of the 2020 conference will experience;

    *
    The etiquette of attending a completely-in-VR conference!;

    *
    How Lethbridge College is dealing with some of the concerns attached to VR--safety, eyestrain, possible dizziness--as they plan the conference;

    *
    Future plans for both the conference and Lethbridge's VR and AR curriculum.


     
    23 min

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

From the publisher's feed

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…