STEM Southwest Podcast

This week's guest may have gotten his love of STEM from a galaxy far, far away as his passion for Star Wars cannot be missed!  Paul Garver has brought an energy to the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum that cannot be denied.  Whether you find him talking with volunteers, interacting with his staff, or planning the next adventure, his enthusiasm will captivate you!  One of our favorite memories of Paul is when he lent his personal drone to one of our students, Ben, so he could learn to fly - who does that?  Only Paul.  He is someone who is all about enjoying life, living science, digging through history, and encouraging others to explore.

Show Notes:

Paul Garver is Manager of the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, and has over 30 years of experience working in museums, including working 11 years for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.  He is a devoted Star Wars fan, and often wonders what his life would be like if it weren’t for George Lucas. He is a native Californian who also lived in northern Virginia for 16 years, and has happily made New Mexico his home since 2011.

Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Balloon Museum Pod Racing (Drone Racing)

Join us… and hundreds of others for one of Paul’s favorite events, Darth & Yoda: Choose your side

Read more about Paul here

Book Recommendation:

Truth Insurrected: The Saint Mary Project, by Daniel P. Douglas

Favorite quote:

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview for life’s coming attractions,” by Albert Einstein

STEM Rockstar:

Sid Gutierrez

Contact Information:

Website

Facebook

Angela Reed Padilla, CEO of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of NM is passionate about helping youth become confident adults and productive citizens. The state of New Mexico chapter of BBBS actually has more mentors than chapters in larger cities such as Chicago. When you meet her, you will understand why so many people are getting involved in mentoring young people. STEM Southwest is a big advocate for this approach because we believe, like Angela, that this is a critical path to the success of our state and our nation.

Show Notes

Angela Reed Padilla joined Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Nation’s premier mentoring organization, in 1996, with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.  As CEO, Angela has the opportunity to work with business and non-profit organization leaders, educators, legislators, and more to gain a broad perspective on the needs of the community and the shared vision for improving our quality of life.  Angela is passionate about advocating for our youth to increase their chances of success, and to help them become productive citizens. Angela is deeply invested in collaborative work with her colleagues, and confident that we have at hand the resources, vision, and will to overcome our educational and economic challenges.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico

Discovery Festival NM

Book Recommendation

The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, by Carl Sagan

STEM Rockstar and Hero

Ryleigh Hightower

Marie Curie

Favorite quote (and joke)

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,” by Sir Isaac Newton.

“How often do you like jokes about elements? Periodically.”

Contact Information:

DiscoveryFestivalNM.com

Auri Vigil, In this week’s interview you will learn about an exciting annual event, ExperienceITnm. It is described by the New Mexico Technology Council as an opportunity to “Geek out on all things technology. Our community will gather the best and the brightest entrepreneurs, technicians, hackers, and tech fans for presentations, talks, meet-ups, and parties; all to highlight the vibrant tech community in our city.” Auri Vigil joins us to tell us more about the event.

Show Notes

Fat Pipe ABQ

https://fatpipeabq.com/

Spaceport America

https://spaceportamerica.com/

Women in Technology Peer Group

https://nmtechcouncil.org/women-in-technology-peer-group/

Experience IT

http://experienceitnm.com/

New Mexico Technology Council Events Calendar

https://nmtechcouncil.org/events-calendar/

New Mexico Technology Council Jobs Board

http://business.nmtechcouncil.org/jobs/

AFRL New Mexico

http://www.afrlnewmexico.com/

Website Recommendation:

Women Who Inspire (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

https://www.lanl.gov/careers/stories/women-who-inspire/index.php

Contact Information:

Auri Vigil

[email protected]

New Mexico Technology Council

https://nmtechcouncil.org/

https://www.facebook.com/nmtechcouncil

Russ Fisher-Ives This interview is certainly one of our favorites as we talk all things STEM in the Southwest and how the Southwest has influenced many countries beyond our borders including China, Japan, Estonia, Canada, Mexico and so many more! Russ Fisher-Ives is a science teacher turned robotics rock star. Years ago he teamed up with Intel and put his philosophy of Inquiry-based learning to work for students through his business, Inquiry Facilitators. His dynamic personality teams up with the heart of an educator to inspire students across the world as he challenges them to think big through the robotics competition he founded, RoboRAVE. Now an international program, Russ travels the globe inspiring both young and old with his dynamic energy and ability to get the world to communicate in one unified language…. Robots!

Show Notes:

RoboRAVE International

https://www.roborave.org/

RRPS Student Research Expo

https://www.rrps.net/students/r_r_p_s_student_research_expo

Inquiry Facilitators

http://gotoif.org/

STEM Hero and Rockstar

George Gorospe

https://ti.arc.nasa.gov/profile/ggorospe/

Benjamin Franklin

https://www.biography.com/people/benjamin-franklin-9301234

Contact Information:

Russ Fisher-Ives

[email protected]

Whatsapp

505-385-7109

Russ also has several TED talks and speeches our listeners might enjoy:

Native Voices through technology

Beyond Testing

Paul Szauter Today we have scientist and entrepreneur Paul Szauter as our guest. Listeners are going to be interested in the DNA Discovery that Paul and his team have made as well as how that discovery is disrupting the centuries-old industry of horse breeding. Listen is as Paul shares the challenges and plans they have as well as hear his thoughts on what it takes to be a scientist…. You might be surprised!

Show Notes

Human Genome Project

National DNA Day

DNA Day

23andMe

EquiSeq, Inc.

Book Recommendations:

Game Storming, by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, and James Macanufo

Ready Player One: A Novel, by Ernest Cline

STEM Hero and Rockstar

Gregor Mendel

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Resources

One Million Cups - Albuquerque

Contact Information:

Paul Szauter

[email protected]

Mike DeCock and Tristan Jameson. Today we have two guests who share their passion for cubing with the world. Sometimes, as we work with students we must invite them into STEM through an untraditional door. Solving the Rubik’s cube is a great way to open up the side door of opportunity and build the confidence of students so that they might pursue even more STEM opportunities. Learn more about how cubing invites students into STEM and is a great opportunity, no matter what your age!

Show Notes

Be Cubed Summer 2018; Friday, July 27, 2018, 8:00-4:30 p.m.

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Information and Registration

World Cubing Association                                              

The Home of Rubik’s Cube

Rubik’s

Book Recommendations:

Tristan:

You Can Do The Rubik’s Cube

Mike:

Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don't Matter, by Scott Adams 

Cracking the Cube, Going Slow to Go Fast and Other Unexpected Turns by Ian Scheffler

Melissa Ober, Science Girl  Encouraged to pursue and internship at her local Children’s Science museum, EXPLORA, Melissa Ober was mentored and discovered her passion to be a STEM performer. Since her first show, Melissa has worked with hundreds of students through school assemblies and their teachers at conferences. Perhaps you’ve seen her at a local STEM event perform the epic Elephant Toothpaste experiment.

Join us today as Melissa shares her passion with the world where she shares science through experiences instead of simply experiments.

Show Notes

Young people are capable of so much more:

Do Hard Things                      

“Don’t be afraid to ask, the worst they can do is say no”

Visit Melissa’s lab, find out more here:

Science Girl’s Lab                             

Science Girl’s Lab – Performance (Dr. Von Heister’s Hijinks)

                                            Saturday, July 28th, 1:30-2:00 p.m.

                                            Saturday, July 28th, 3:30-4:00 p.m.

                                            Sunday, July 29th, 1:30-2:00 p.m.

Where Melissa got her start and some great mentoring:

Explora Science Center

Connect on Social Media

Science Girl’s Lab Facebook

Science Girl’s Lab Instagram

Science Girl’s Lab Videos

Melissa in the news:

Page 40

NM Kids Magazine

KRQE segment with Be Greater Than Average

Career coaching course with Shelly

Life Launch Academy

Melissa’s book recommendation:

The Case for a Creator, Lee Strobel

Science Girls STEM Rockstar and Mentor:

Steve Spangler Science

Favorite show filmed in New Mexico:

Mythbusters

Melissa Ober

[email protected]

Ron Eppes, Intel Community Engagement Manager: Ron is the perfect first guest for our podcast! While the sound quality isn’t great (we get better with time, promise) his stories and love of community are inspiring! Ron is a STEM Rockstar who works just down the road a few miles at Intel Corporation where he is passionate about ensuring Intel is a great corporate citizen. His story is interesting as he shares how someone important in Ron’s life with no apparent attachment to STEM had such a big influence on him ultimately pursuing a STEM career.

Show Notes

Corporate involvement in STEM education benefits everyone, with efforts such as this:

Twelve Months of Math

Ron’s Book Recommendation that relates to his belief that math is fun and powerful in engineering as well as everyday activities such as his running example:   

How to Not be Wrong, the power of Mathematical Thinking by Jordan Ellenberg                      

Community Involvement and Recognition in STEM

STEMYS:  Excellence in STEM Awards

Ron Eppes

[email protected]

While it wasn’t mentioned in the interview, we thought listeners would enjoy Ron’s Ted Talk:

Ron’s Weird Ideas about Math (TEDxABQED, March 27 2015)

This podcast is designed to create STEM connections, cohesion, and elevation within the Southwest region of the United States. You have discovered a place where STEM enthusiasts gather to learn about the amazing STEM rockstars of the region as well as STEM activities that are impacting the world!

Whether you are looking to learn more about STEM innovations in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and California you are in the right place! If you have longed to be united with other STEM nerds, then you have found your people here at STEM Southwest!

Check out our family-friendly show and events calendar designed to build problem solvers, thinkers, and innovators for the future. New episodes are released every other week.

Website address: www.STEMsw.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: STEMsw
Twitter: STEMsw