Events created from the ground up to entertain, inspire, network, educate and be a lot of fun.

• Award-Winning Innovation November 4, 2024

  

  In 1949, a group of students decided to build their own float and participate in Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses® Parade.

  Ever since, Cal Poly Universities Rose Float have been coming up with new ways to wow parade goers–and winning awards for their work.

  As one of only six independent noncommercial floatbuilders, called “self-builts”, in the parade, Cal Poly Universities’ entry is unique for several reasons.

  First of all, they’re the only student-built float in the Rose Parade®,

  Secondly, the float, built from the frame up, is constructed by two student groups. At the start of the building process, these groups are working from campuses more than two hundred miles apart!

  Two teams become one

  

  Annually, the students at Cal Poly Pomona build the front half of their float’s chassis, while the students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo build the back half.

  Then, in October, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students bring their half down to the Pomona campus. The two halves are joined–and from then on, the groups work as one, crafting their Rose Parade® entry.

  So far, the Cal Poly Universities students’ entries have won more than 60 awards–which brings up the third reason their float is unique.

  As students, Cal Poly Universities Rose Float participants have room to “play” and experiment with new methods and technologies.

  And frequently, the results are Rose Parade® “firsts”.

  Brooke Handschin is President of Cal Poly Universities Rose Float in Pomona, while Collin Marfia is President of Cal Poly Universities Rose Float, San Luis Obispo.

  Brooke and Collin talked about their experiences with Cal Poly Universities Rose Float, what it’s like to create and drive their innovative entries and, of course, Cal Poly Universities Rose Float’s 2025 entry, “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”, which will be their 76th Rose Parade® float.

  On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

  • How Brooke and Collin first became involved with Cal Poly Universities Rose Float;

  • How each of them developed their specific creative talents and gifts as a result of working on the floats;

  • Some of the ways they did troubleshooting in the past, as co-hydraulics leads;

  • One particular issue they found “frustrating but fun”, as their team navigated a construction challenge;

  • What it’s like to operate a Rose Parade® float on New Year’s Day;

  • The story of Cal Poly Universities Rose Float’s 2025 design, “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”;

  • How the teams from the two universities collaborate;

  • One major logistics problem they’ve been working on solving, for “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”;

  • Some of the considerations involved in decorating the float;

  • A look at some of the past innovations which the Cal Poly Universities entries have introduced to the Rose Parade® (and a hint at what we may see on their float in the 136th Rose Parade® on New Year’s Day, 2025!);

  • What Brooke, a mechanical-engineering major, will enjoy most about the decorating process;

  • What’s planned for the animation;

  • Where to see the team’s progress on their social media;

  • The next milestones to be completed;

  • How to support the students as they create Cal Poly Universities’ Rose Float’s 76th float, “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”.

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• “Dino-Ween” Promises a “Roaring” Good Time October 20, 2024

  

  “Dino-Ween is such a blast,” says Las Vegas Natural History Museum Director of Education Grace Njoroge.

  Throughout the year. Grace designs STEAM-oriented educational programming for the museum–captivating young visitors and introducing them to natural-science concepts, the humanities and history, even as they’re having fun.

  Halloween, especially, spotlights this imaginative programming, through the museum’s annual “Dino-Ween” celebration.

  Games, hands-on maker activities, costumes, candy and, most of all, fun learning activities, characterize the day.

  This year’s “Dino-Ween” happens next Friday, October 25th, from 10 am to 3 pm. Guests are encouraged to come in costume, and children in costume, ages 3 to 11, receive free admission. Here’s the link for more information.

  And once Friday is over, the fun–and the education-continue.

  LVNHM’s additional programs include regular shark feeding presentations, “Creepy Crawlies” workshops on millipedes on October 27th and the upcoming “A December to Remember” program, spotlighting holiday traditions from around the world,

  Grace offered a preview of “Dino-Ween” 2024, explained what guests will see in some of the museum’s exhibits and gave us a look ahead at an exciting special event happening in 2025.

  Las Vegas Natural History Museum hosts “Dino-Ween” next Friday, October 25th, from 10 am to 3 pm, and you’re invited! Kids in costume, ages 3-11, get free admission, and “big kids” are encouraged to come in costume as well. Here’s the link for information.

  On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

  • One of Grace’s favorite ways the museum is combining art, science and storytelling with some very fun technology for “Dino-Ween”;

  • A look back at the Museum’s use of virtual reality for last year’s Halloween event;

  • A closer look at the “critters” behind this year’s theme, “Creepy Crawly Carnival”;

  • Some of the educational programs planned around the “creepy crawlies”;

  • An imaginary “walk” through this year’s “Dino-Ween” event;

  • What the pumpkins will be doing!:

  • One surprise visitors experienced, during “Dino-Ween” 2023;

  • What guests this year will get to explore, in the museum’s paleontology lab;

  • The museum’s “Treasures of Egypt” exhibit, and what guests will learn and get to do;

  • What October 25th will be like, for Grace and her team;

  • What’s going to be happening with the museum’s dinosaurs!

  • Some of the “messy science” projects which young visitors will get to do, outside!

  • One of Grace’s absolute best experiences, designing programs as the new Director of Education over the past year;

  • And, one of her favorite moments, with a cultural event that incorporated art, science and the humanities;

  • One of the best lessons which Grace herself learned, as an educator who continues to grow and learn within the community.

  • A closer look at a local cultural group and the activities they brought to the museum;

  • Why “Dino-Ween” is fun-scary, as opposed to terrifying (there won’t be any “creepy crawlies” on the loose!);

  • How to support the museum in their programming, and where to find upcoming events;

  • A preview of an exciting cultural event scheduled for 2025 at the museum (artists, take note!)

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• Robotics Beyond the Imagination September 16, 2024

  

  “Robots are for everyone,” is the message of Boston-based nonprofit MassRobotics.

  Their upcoming free special event, RoboBoston 2024, and their year-round activities, continue to illustrate that message.

  Not only do the innovators they empower come up with previously-unimagined inventions like robotic bees–but their educational programs empower students who may not have seen themselves as roboticists.

  As the largest independent robotics hub, MassRobotics is dedicated to accelerating robotics innovation and adoption. Accordingly, they provide resources, globally, for STEM education, while offering entrepreneurs and startups workspace and resources in the local area.

  They also offer a yearly educational program, the Jumpstart Fellowship, for high school girls in the local area–which is both highly successful and currently accepting applicants for their fifth cohort! (Deadline: November 12, 2024.)

  AND–their annual free celebration of robotics, RoboBoston, is happening on September 27th and 28th!

  RoboBoston starts off on Friday, September 27th, with “STEM Day, a popular field trip, in which twelve local high schools are participating, followed by a “Robotics and AI” technical career fair, that afternoon.

  Then, on Saturday, September 28th, everyone’s invited to their robot parade and their seventh annual “Robot Block Party”! (Reservations are required; here’s the link for tickets!)

  Expect to see some of the coolest robots around–and to discover some robotic creations which you may never have imagined.

  “The point of the Robotics Block Party, is for people to (come out and explore if robotics is for them),” says MassRobotics STEM Program Manager Kevin Smith.

  “And students don’t have to be (computer scientists or engineers to belong in robotics),” clarifies MassRobotics Co-Founder and Chief of Operations Joyce Sidopoulos.

  Joyce and Kevin offered a sneak peek at some of the robots the Robot Block Party will showcase, talked about their experiences as educators at this year’s Jumpstart program and previewed what’s next!

  On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

  • Some of the robots the Block Party will showcase;

  • How robotics careers can fit students who aren’t necessarily science- or engineering-oriented;

  • How the Jumpstart initiative grew in the past year;

  • And, an exciting way in which the program may be expanding in the very near future!;

  • A closer look at the activities in which the young women in the Jumpstart fellowship are involved, throughout the semester;

  • How “failing forward” has worked in the learning process, for the students the Jumpstart fellowship has served;

  • Some of the “capstone projects” the young women created which wowed Kevin and Joyce;

  • A preview of MassRobotics’ third STEM Day;

  • A closer look at what some of the showcased robots, of the seventh Robot Block Party. will do;

  • Joyce and Kevin’s perspective on the commonly-held view of “a robot will take my job”;

  • How the advent of AI may affect the job market;

  • An imaginary “trip forward” to September 28th and the robot parade;

  • Some of the things visitors will see and experience at the Robot Block Party;

  • A closer look at the ways students will be participating in the event;

  • Some of the favorite robots from RoboBoston 2023!

  • How to support MassRobotics as they continue educating high school students for possible future careers in the robotics industry.

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