Sometimes, science can seem absolutely magical.

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For Logos Education Systems Senior Lead Consultant Henri Shimojyo, focusing on that magic is key.

Henri, who will be presenting at both the upcoming STEPCon 21 and at the California STEAM Symposium, gears his teaching style to student discovery, sparking curiosity and imparting a sense of wonder.

Teaching, for Henri, is a means of opening students’ eyes to the exciting world around them. Rather than “teaching to the test”, he engages their imaginations by showing them how to explore the ways science is at work in their day-to-day lives.

Henri’s professional background includes teaching graduate courses in education at UC Riverside, as well as serving as the Science/STEAM Teacher Supervisor in the Graduate School of Education. He also taught chemistry for nine years, for Lake Elsinore Unified School District.

And, you’re just about to get the opportunity to hear, firsthand, why science can seem magical! Henri has two exciting presentations coming up.

Firsthand “magic”

He works with nonprofit STEP–the Science and Technology Education Partnership. STEP is currently preparing to host STEPCon 21–the Annual Student Conference on Science and Technology Education. This free virtual conference offers sessions for both educators (October 5th and 6th) and students (October 7th).And for the student edition, Henri will be presenting “The Science Show”, at both 9:30 and 11:00 am on October 7th, demonstrating, to students, that “it’s magic? No, it’s science.”

In addition, you’ll get to hear Henri speak at the upcoming California STEAM Symposium!

Co-hosted by the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation, the California Department of Education and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, California STEAM Symposium explores some of the most creative and exciting approaches we’ve ever seen, to igniting students’ imagination as they learn the ways science, technology, engineering, art and math interrelate.

Henri, will be co-presenting a talk called “The Scale of Things” with Yamileth Shimojyo from the Riverside County Office of Education, on Friday, October 22nd at 5:30 pm.

Meanwhile, the California STEAM Symposium starts at 3:00 pm, Pacific time, on Thursday, October 21st. Keynotes, breakout sessions and quick talks, as well as maker activities,, will take place until 6:10 pm that Thursday and Friday. Then, Saturday morning, October 23rd, starts the final day at 9:00, with presentations running until 1:00 that afternoon. Here’s the link for more information. (And some of the video clips from Henri’s participation in STEPCon21 will be available as resources during the California STEAM Symposium!)

Henri shared some of his insights on science as a vehicle for understanding both art and the world around us, discussed the ways his own favorite teacher shaped his life and offered a preview of his presentations at STEPCon21 and the California STEAM Symposium.

On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover:

• What first ignited Henri’s passion for teaching;

• A look at the work of STEP and their upcoming STEPCon;

• How STEPCon might spark the imagination of students who are primarily interested in the arts, by finding the common denominators between art and science;

• A closer example of how an arts student could increase their skills through science;

• A preview of STEPCon 21, happening October 7th;

• Henri’s recollections of the teacher who most impacted his life;

• How Henri communicates the magic of chemistry to very young students;

• His guidance for homeschooling parents in today’s vastly-changed world;

• How to register for STEPCon 21;

• An “engaging life sample” Henri has written to capture the imagination of students (hint: it’s an everyday item most of us take for granted!)

• A preview of Henri’s upcoming presentation at the California STEAM Symposium:

• What Henri himself has learned, from his previous experiences presenting at the California STEAM Symposium.