Technology–personal and otherwise–that’s changing our future.

• The Future, Plus Imagination May 6, 2024

  

  “What is your vision, for what (STEM) is?” asks Anthony Quan.

  And when he hears school leaders’ answers, he’s going to alert them to additional, and imaginative, new possibilities.

  Anthony, who is both the STEM Coordinator and the STEM Science Coordinator for the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services, draws on his background as a marine biologist and an award-winning middle school science teacher, to engage students’ imagination as they learn science, technology, engineering and math.

  And these lessons are being applied, both to the world they know and to their possible future careers.

  “It’s all about innovation and creativity,” he explains.

  In addition to his work implementing STEM and STEAM initiatives for schools throughout Los Angeles County, Anthony supports several student events. These include the Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair and the Southern California Science Olympiad.

  He is also the founder of the Los Angeles County Engaging Girls in STEM: a program designed to show girls the possibilities of future careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

  Anthony talked about his background, shared the story of Engaging Girls in STEM and offered a closer look at the numerous resources available to students and educators through LACOE.

  On this edition of Over Coffee®we cover:

  • How Anthony first discovered his passion for science;

  • His creative journey, from a background in marine biology to his career in education;

  • The story of the Engaging Girls in STEM program;

  • One of Anthony’s favorite memories for the first Engaging Girls in STEM event;

  • A look back at this year’s Engaging Girls in STEM event;

  • An examination of some of the STEM resources which L.A. County Office of Education offers, and what they can mean to girls who are more oriented towards the arts;

  • One resource which he shares with teachers, for exploring STEM from an “arts” standpoint;

  • A hint of an upcoming project which will incorporate the arts into STEM (more information to come, as we know more!);

  • Some additional approaches to teaching science through a STEAM lens;

  • An AR resource that’s making a long-beloved environmental character relatable to the next generation;

  • A closer look at AI in the classroom, and the ethics involved;

  • What Anthony considers the most fun, in engaging girls through science, technology, engineering, art and math;

  • Some of the concepts Anthony used to engage his own students, during his time as a middle-school teacher;

  • What Next Generation Science Standards are, and how they came about;

  • How Anthony’s perspective on curriculum has changed, from observing his daughter and students learning;

  • The technologies he considers most exciting, for empowering girls for future careers;

  • An activity through which he guides teachers, to teach engagement;

  • A more arts-oriented look at math;

  • Some of the resources available for students for Summer, 2024;

  • What Anthony would like to do with Engaging Girls in STEM within the next five years (hint: this would be a lot of fun!).

  Continue reading →
• Put On Your Best…Robot April 22, 2024

  Due to a technical glitch, we’ll be running a backup show this week. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top Over Coffee®episodes of 2023!

  

  A robot which can do something new, isn’t unusual.

  But a miniature wearable robot, which can track health, monitor your workout and even teach you dance moves?

  That’s the “Calico”, developed by researchers at the University of Maryland’s Small Artifacts Lab, or SMART Lab.

  Anup Sathya, currently a doctoral student at the University of Chicago, is one of the developers of Calico.

  While studying at the University of Maryland, Anup worked as a research assistant at the university’s Small Artifacts Lab–or SMART Lab, for short.

  During that time, he and his team created and evolved the tiny wearable robot.

  To say they miniaturized the technology, seems like an understatement. The current model weighs less than an ounce, and is smaller than two inches in diameter.

  And it monitors its wearer by traveling over their clothing, operating on a track inspired by railways!

  In this interview from Summer, 2023, Anup discussed the creative process behind Calico, explained how it works and shared some of the capabilities of this miniature, wearable robot.

  On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

  • How Anup first became interested in electronics, computer science and robotics:

  • The story of Calico;

  • A unique “arts” application of the tiny robot;

  • Some of the ways the design evolved over time;

  • How students first reacted when seeing the tiny robot on-campus at University of Maryland;

  • The reasons behind the name “Calico”;

  • Resources Anup recommends;

  • A closer look at the tasks Calico can perform;

  • How the robot “coaches” a wearer;

  • How users can transfer the robot, from one person to another;

  • Some of the aesthetic considerations involved in creating Calico;

  • The reason behind a statement Anup makes, about his research, on his personal website.

  Continue reading →
• Celebrating the Future April 17, 2024

  

  At the Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival, science and technology are multifaceted fun.

  Hands-on workshops, outdoor activities, tours and public talks occur throughout the nine days of this annual festival, presented by the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. All festival events are free.

  Started in 2011, the Festival has become the largest educational event in Nevada. Collaborators include the Clark County School District and the National Park Service,. A committee of community volunteers help to run the event.

  

  Programming is designed to make science and technology accessible and engaging to everyone–including guests who don’t consider themselves primarily “science” or “tech” oriented. Art workshops, Aquarium tours, family crafts, hiking, and the BattleBots competition are just a few of more than 60 events that will span the nine days of this year’s Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival, which begins on Friday, April 26th, and runs through Saturday, May 4th.

  And the ultimate goal: to continue to educate tomorrow’s innovators, towards becoming a part of Nevada’s growing STEM community.

  “Our goal really is to spark an interest in STEM careers,” says Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival Director Alexandra Liebman.

  “It’s…what happens outside the classroom, that can impact the students’ interest.”

  

  Alex talked about some of the upcoming Festival events, what’s involved in the preparations, and the ways the Festival is breaking down barriers to future careers for future community leaders.

  On this edition of Over Coffee®we cover:

  • How Alex first became involved with the Festival. from her background of marketing and community engagement;

  • The story of the Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival;

  • What’s happening over the nine days of this year’s Festival;

  • Some of the more arts-focused events that will be happening;

  • What’s involved in organizing the Festival;

  • Some of Alex’s favorite experiences, from last year;

  • A preview of the NASA guest who will be speaking on the first evening of the Festival;

  • Some of the technology that’s going to be on display;

  • What the first day of the Festival will be like, for Alex and the team at the Natural History Museum;

  • The most fun Alex had, last year, preparing the Festival;

  • How to support the Festival as it continues to grow;

  Continue reading →