SciTech Days: "Digital Dreaming"

Explore digital dreaming with Matt Stewart, who earned his master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC). Learn about a graduate program that combines technology and fine arts to creates new processes, tools, and vision for storytelling and entertainment. During this workshop, Stewart will share his experiences at ETC, which allowed him to work on a variety of projects in the field of themed entertainment. His projects included interactive installation at the Give Kids the World Resort, an exploration of 3D printing while studying in Barcelona, and tinkering with embedded electronics. He is also the co-business owner of Digital Dream Labs, LLC, which has created an interactive tabletop experience, called DREAM-TABLETOP, that combines puzzle blocks with a virtual environment. The program aims to teach children abstract computer science principles, such as objects, properties (size, action), arrays (colors), and variables in a fun and tangible way. Prior to moving to Pittsburgh, Stewart received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University. There he built his own recumbent bicycle, and gained experience through internships at Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream and Northrop Grumman Corporation. SciTech Days are a special kind of field trip for middle and high school students that features the growth areas of Pittsburgh: biotech & health, nanotechnology & advanced materials/processes, information technology & robotics, and eco tech (think environment & energy). Recorded November 7, 2013 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.