Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

John Abrams is a showman, with considerable expertise in playing to a tough audience.That's because John, a professional magician and performer, is also the creator of the multiple award-winning program "Amazing School Assemblies".John, who performs 400 school-assembly shows a year, has entertained and engaged more than 2 million schoolchildren, in 216 Southern California school districts. His website reveals rave reviews from educators, as well as listings of the honors his shows have garnered--including Discover Magic's Golden Wand of Excellence for outstanding children's programming.His Amazing School Assemblies shows include valuable life lessons, interwoven with comedy and magic.Among his offerings are "The STEAM Show", which blends real-world learning in science, technology, engineering, art and math with considerable fun and magic; "The Bully Game", a live game-show formatted anti-bullying program; and "Random Acts of Character", which teaches essential lessons in character through magic, juggling and audience participation.John is also the author of "The Handbook for School Assembly Performers", available on Amazon.And he's scheduled to give a showskills workshop presentation at the KIDabra Conference for KIDshow and family performers, on August 12th in Atlanta! (Here's the link for more information about KIDabra 2026.)John talked about his background, offered a closer look at his shows and gave some tips for managing a live performance or presentation.

"Creativity isn't a reward (for completing other work in the classroom)," says Blackwing Foundation Program Director Courtney Berolzheimer."When we treat art and creative expression as a foundation...kids show up differently, teachers show up differently."And that difference, she continues, can lead to a new classroom culture, with increased engagement for both students and teachers.Nonprofit Blackwing Foundation is helping educators build that foundation, with their free online art education programming, Pathways to Creativity!High-quality, adaptable and...freePathways to Creativity currently includes an art series and a lettering series, for first to sixth grade, with lesson plans and slide decks. Courtney, who spearheaded the Pathways to Creativity program, has drawn on her professional background as a middle-school math teacher, designing content for seamless implementation into a classroom.Accordingly, the all-in-one art lesson plans include step-by-step videos, supply lists and printable art labels. Art lessons are designed by grade: drawing for first grade, oil pastels in second, drawing for third grade, and so forth. Lettering lessons include handout templates and a supply list, as well as supplemental resources."We want to make (teachers') lives easier by offering art lessons, lettering lessons--anything that makes it easier for them," Courtney explains.One of the biggest challenges she's encountered? Convincing educators that, in accordance with Blackwing Foundation's mission of expanding access to arts education, these resources are free!"A lot of times, (people) are like, 'well, wait, do I need to buy this? Or do I need to put in my email to access things? And our answer's 'no.' We want everything to be there, just to be accessible, and...I would love educators...(to) just try one lesson. See what happens in your classroom."Excellence and evolutionWhile these lessons are listed as being for grades one through six, they're designed in such a way as to also spark the imagination of much older "kids"--high-school and beyond.They're also engaging and interdisciplinary, blending technique, art history, communication and other skills.Meanwhile, Courtney says, much more is coming. Blackwing Foundation is developing new lessons and new pathways, in areas that will include music, and architecture!To find out more about additional upcoming programs, you're invited to subscribe toBlackwing Foundation's newsletter, through their website. And be sure to subscribe to their YouTube channel, for their live studio sessions!Courtney talked about her background, shared the story of Blackwing Foundation and discussed some of the Pathways to Creativity lesson offerings.

An Over Coffee® special-edition podcast!Over Coffee®, and Two Maverix® Multimedia, are NOT, in any way, shape or form, affiliated with, nor endorsed by, NASA.What if you had the opportunity to experience something no human being had ever done before? And, what if you could experience it as part of a four-person team?That's exactly what the crew of the Artemis II mission discussed, during NASA's press conference on Thursday, April 16th.Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, of the Canadian Space Agency, had just returned from their historic flight, six days earlier.The Artemis II mission lasted nine days, one hour and thirty-two minutes, according to NASA's website.During that time, the crew set some historic precedents.A mission of firstsAfter their textbook launch on April 1, 2026, they set a new record for furthest human spaceflight: more than 252,000 miles from Earth. Their crewed lunar flyby was NASA's first in more than 50 years.And they orbited the far side of the Moon--capturing perspectives no one had ever seen before.The world cheered their safe return, as their Orion spacecraft, which they'd named "Integrity", splashed down off the coast of San Diego on Friday, April 10th.Artemis II is the latest chapter of an ongoing story.This unprecedented lunar flyby is another step towards NASA's future goals: lunar exploration, construction of a lunar base and, ultimately, the first crewed missions to Mars.Here are some of the insights the astronauts shared from their experiences on this historic mission, their advice to youth who will be the "Artemis generation", and NASA's preparations for Artemis III and IV in the future.

"We wanted to turn this exhibition of mummies from a cultural perspective, to a science perspective," explains Dr. Diane Perlov, Senior Vice President for Special Projects at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.That science perspective allows "Mummies of the World: The Exhibition" to share the stories of these ancient people respectfully, while providing some new insights into their lives."Mummies of the World: The Exhibition" is making a final stop at the California Science Center as the conclusion of its world tour, which started in 2010. The exhibition runs from now through September 7, 2026. Here's the link for more information.With both naturally and intentionally preserved human and animal mummies from ancient Egypt, South America, and Europe, the exhibition also offers CT scans and analysis of the full-body mummies. Authentic burial objects, interactive audiovisual experiences and mummification tools are included, as is an IMAX movie, "Secrets of the Pharoahs".Science for the past--and the futureThe result: new understanding of the lives of these ancient people."We learn through stories," Dr. Perlov says, after explaining the ways the CT scan has revealed some of the health issues facing the two ancient Egyptian priests on display.And the stories the scientific research reveals, she says, refute stereotypes of "primitive" cultures. Instead, a picture emerges of a dignified and thoughtful approach to burial of their dead.Research of these mummies also provides a window on the future. The study of centuries-old DNA enables modern medical professionals to research pathogens while seeking cures for current diseases.Dr. Perlov shared the story of the exhibition, offered a closer look at the ways the science and storytelling combine to give visitors an understanding of these ancient people, and discussed some of the cultural practices reflected in the exhibition.

"You always look at where you are right now, and then you design for that moment," explains STEMarts Lab Founder/Director Agnes Chavez."I don't do 'cooky cutter'. Every iteration...is adapting and responding to a real need."That's exactly what her pioneering SciArt production studio and STEAM youth leadership program is doing.Agnes, who is an interdisciplinary new media artist and educator, founded STEMarts Lab in 2009.Wonder, awe and STEAMBased in El Prado, New Mexico, STEMarts Lab empowers local youth to create a better future.Combining art, science and technology, students collaborate on solving real-world challenges and illustrating science in engaging and immersive ways.Each project starts with the concepts of wonder and awe in our universe--and the ways we, as human beings, have a role in it, as planetary citizens."What is our place in the universe?" Agnes asks. "What is our connection to space?"Participants, ages 14 to 25, get to answer those questions by integrating art, science and technology with their own creativity. As they work on cutting-edge projects, the lines blur between STEM, arts and humanities."STEMarts is all about breaking down those boundaries, and playing," Agnes says.Collaborating with experts in areas including astrophysics, coding and space science, students use media including augmented reality and artificial intelligence to create something exciting. The result: immersive, experiential "SciArt" productions, which travel all over the world.Engaging the general publicThese creations include the Space Messengers A.I. installation, which incorporates messages from youth and communities around the world.Meanwhile, there's also Astrotours, which uses augmented reality to explore the night skies from a new perspective.And currently, STEMarts Ambassadors are preparing for their upcoming live-coding performances at the inaugural Taos Film Festival!Expanding innovationAs STEMarts continues to grow, their reach and impact includes some exciting milestones for New Mexico youth.Between 2012 and 2025, more than 2,200 students participated in STEMarts' Classroom Design Challenge. STEMarts hosted three to seven student-led community events annually between 2012 and 2024, and student benefits included apprenticeships and paid youth internships, as well as International Travel Awards to five different countries between 2022 and 2025.Agnes shared the story of creating STEMarts Lab, offered a closer look at the Space Messengers AI and Astrotours projects and discussed her vision for the future.

Happy Anniversary to Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival!This free, nine-day celebration marks its fifteenth year in 2026. And there will be STEM and STEAM activities for everyone.Presented by the Las Vegas Science and Natural History Museum, in partnership with the Clark County School District, the Festival runs from Friday, April 24th to Saturday, May 2nd, with more than 100 activities and events presented throughout Southern Nevada.At the core of the festival, will be a sense of wonder, fun and exploration."My goal, is that everyone attending has a good time, and walks away knowing something that they didn't know before," says Los Angeles Science and Technology Festival Director Alexandra Liebman.Currently, registration is open for select events. Registration for limited-capacity events opens Wednesday, April 1. And if you're in the area, please consider booking early--these are popular and will book up quickly! Here's the link to RSVP.Learning science through STEAMIn addition to panel discussions, Night at the Museum and Science is Everywhere Weekend, the festival includes crafts, theatre presentations and highly interactive activities."I think it's important that kids and families who maybe feel like they're not 'science people" know that this event is for them too," says Alex.Arts-oriented events include a UNLV Music Lab tour; crafts activities at local libraries; and STEM Movie Saturday.An exciting aspect of the Festival, is the access it allows students, to career professionals in STEM. Alex shared the story of one student whose career path began with the opportunity to talk with a presenter in her area of interest.But with the schedule of events, packed through the nine days, it also sounds like, quite simply, an absolute blast.Alex offered a preview of what will be happening at this year's fifteenth annual Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival, shared the creative process behind making this major educational celebration a reality, and discussed her vision for the future.

An Over Coffee® special-edition episodeNational Robotics Week is coming up, April 4-12, 2026!This is a national celebration of the robotics industry, our future innovators--and, of course, the educators who make this innovation possible.On the National Robotics Week website, you'll find all kinds of robot-related activities and resources. These include upcoming robotics events by state, robotics activity sheets, and even AI experiments, provided by Google! And you are welcome to submit your own robot-related event, as well.And Over Coffee® is proud to spotlight three innovators who are inspiring students to explore how robotics fit into their interests--and their futures!The historyNational Robotics Week, according to their website, was first implemented in 2010, with 50 robot-related events around the U.S., after the 2009 passage of resolution H.Res. 1055, by the U.S. House of Representatives.This resolution designates a full week in April as National Robotics Week.As of 2017, National Robotics Week included more than 300 events across all 50 United States.While events are still being registered for 2026, a quick check of the website revealed ten pages of approximately 150 events, nationwide, so far.Meanwhile, on this special-edition show, we explore the ways robotics are really for everyone.Here are NoireSTEMinist® educator/engineer and entrepreneur (and author!) Dr. Carlotta Berry, VEX Robotics Vice-President of Global Strategy, educator and author Jason McKenna, and Unified Robotics founder and executive director Delaney Locher, to showcase three different aspects of educational robotics.

Pioneering Los Angeles-based theatre company Ferryman Collective is launching the world's first live theatre repertory season in virtual reality!And they'd like to invite you, not only to see their upcoming shows, but to celebrate with them as they host their first fundraiser as a 501c3 nonprofit company, next Sunday afternoon, March 22nd.Their "Coins for the Ferryman" fundraiser and season launch party happens from noon to 4 pm, both in Pasadena and, if you can't travel to California, in VRChat. Here's the link for information.A record of innovation--and wonderFerryman Collective's new repertory season is the latest step in a groundbreaking journey.Founded in 2020, they create live shows in virtual reality, as covered in our 2023 interview.But "shows" may not accurately describe the interactive storytelling, original immersive worlds and sometimes, life-changing messages that make up their performance experiences.Very simply, their shows are unlike anything else a theatre audience will ever have experienced before.Their work has garnered multiple honors, including top awards from the SXSW Film Festival, the Raindance Immersive Festival and the Kaohsiung Film Festival. Most recently, their latest show, Uncanny Alley: A New Day received two awards from the Indiecade Festival.A kaleidoscope of talentEach of the four co-founders brings multiple creative gifts to their work in immersive theatre."Music is my heart and my core," says Ferryman Collective Co-Founder Christopher Lane Davis, a/k/a "Color". Besides being a composer, Color is an animator, writer, performer, filmmaker, photographer and 3D designer."I'm happiest when I'm performing," says Ferryman Collective Co-Founder Whitton Frank. In addition to acting in film, theatre and VR, Whitton dances, writes, directs, and DJs."We're trying to perpetuate this idea of theatre reimagined," says Ferryman Collective Co-Founder Stephen Butchko. Steve, who is co-creator of Uncanny Alley, is an award-winning producer, writer, director, and live-theatre actor."We thought, let's just take one year and really focus on...trying to work on building the audience and getting more people to know a show ," says Ferryman Collective Co-Founder Deirdre V. Lyons, of the company's repertory season launch. An award-winning director, producer and performer in film and television as well as virtual reality, Deirdre is a speaker, teacher and coach--and she co-wrote and directed Gumball Dreams.Deirdre, Steve, Whitton and Color talked about their work, shared some of their experiences with the four shows in the new upcoming season, and offered a preview of what's next!

When June, 2026, arrives, CAMP will be in session at The Tech Interactive, in San Jose!And it's new, exciting and going to be a lot of fun.Family-friendly technology and science center The Tech is currently in the final stages of designing their first summer camp experience!Called CAMP, from the acronym "Create, Adapt, Make and Play", the program is a day camp, hosted at The Tech, for students from third to sixth grade.The programThere will be eight one-week sessions, with four themes: BioTinkering, Ultimate Upcycle, Kinetic Commotion and Planet Protectors. Each theme is offered for two weeks.Depending on which themed week they choose to attend, campers may find themselves building a Rube Goldberg machine. Or creating bioconcrete and kombucha leather. Or making a device that can become a different device--or a lot of other fun activities where they don't even realized how much they're learning."We have partnered with other organizations to have camps at our site, but we have for a very long time now wanted to do a camp ourselves and...really have ownership of it," says Summer Camps Program Manager Liz O'Hare.Fun plus rigor equals learningLiz, whose background includes eleven years as a classroom teacher, as well as designing curricula and training educators at The Tech, says designing The Tech's new program is "super fun"."I think summer camp is a really amazing time for kids to really figure out what they love and what they are interested in," she says. And that discovery is one of her passions as an educator--along with, she says, being "silly" and having fun.Liz explained some of the ways combining rigorous subjects with a "fun" approach leads to that discovery process, offered a preview of some of the CAMP programs and shared her vision for the future.

As we complete production on an Over Coffee® special-edition program, please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2025!"We've crossed a dangerous threshold," warns futurist, entrepreneur and Ubertrends CEO Michael Tchong.He's talking about the ways scammers can use AI.Michael, whose entrepreneurial background has included creating four successful startups, has based his career on reaching beyond watching trends, to educate others in what he has termed “ubertrends”.Ubertrends, Michael explains, are trends that change human values.Michael, who is the author of three books, is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco.In addition, he is the founder of four successful startups, including Ubertrends,In his most recent book “Ubertrends – How Trends and Innovation Are Transforming Our Future“, he identifies eight "ubertrends"of the twenty-first century.Staying ahead of the "wave"With the motto, “I help you catch the next wave, before it catches you”, he explores the ways these "ubertrends" can affect future success--as well as pitfalls to be avoided.And artificial intelligence, he says, comes with "a lot of great benefits", but can also help scammers on an unprecedented scale.While Michael says senior citizens are a prime target of AI scammers, these scams can affect anyone."Scams can take all different forms, but the typical ones are the ones that ask for money," he says."Innovation is not about predicting the future. Innovation is preparing for it."Michael shared some of the ways to be prepared and possibly avoid getting “scammed”, talked about his background and discussed ways artists and “arts people” can stay relevant amid the AI surge.

Over Coffee®is currently in production on a special-edition show. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2025!Cosmic Girls Foundation Founder and CEO Dr. Mindy Howard is fueling some exciting dreams for the future--for girls all over the world."I know what it...takes to get to space," she says."...I think I can help other people get there faster."Mindy, who is an astronaut trainer and future astronaut, founded her Netherlands-based nonprofit in 2022.The goal: to provide girls, ages 14-19, with STEM education and skills training to become astronauts--and more.And Mindy is drawing on considerable expertise, to do so.A candidate on NASA's "Highly Qualified" astronaut list, she is Founding Director of Inner Space Training, which prepares commercial astronauts, mentally, for space travel.In addition, as an author and speaker, she teaches leadership skills, drawing on her training as an astronaut. (Check out her book, Blast Off! Train Like an Astronaut for Success on Earth, as well as her TEDx Talk!)The mission of Cosmic Girls Foundation"We empower girls globally to become pioneers in the new space economy leading humanity into the cosmos ," says Cosmic Girls Foundation's vision statement on their website.Accordingly, Cosmic Girls Foundation offers multiple programs with international partners.Girls can sign up to work with mentors and learn skills including satellite design, leadership, design thinking and much more.Several of the programs offer virtual space missions, with participants completing simulated mission tasks, while others include public speaking, creativity and career exploration.In addition, Cosmic Girls Foundation gives girls the opportunity to learn from, and connect with, science professionals, through their virtual Speaker Series.There's also a "Cosmic Forum", in which girls with similar STEM interests can connect and offer one another guidance and support."...I realized what we needed to do is to build a community,so that girls can see other like-minded girls ...and having girls ...online all over the world share their...dreams, their 'geekiness', ...and they're helping each other, so that's kind of the first...element," Mindy says.How to get involvedAnd Mindy says Cosmic Girls Foundation is seeking additional partnerships and mentors for these young women, as well as donations to their program. She welcomes potential partners to reach out through the website.Mindy talked about her journey as a space professional, shared the story of Cosmic Girls Foundation and outlined her vision for the future.

When Basa Village Foundation President, philanthropist and author Jeff Rasley first began trekking in Nepal, his perspective changed radically.While climbing the Himalayan mountains as an adventure, he fell in love with the Rai people, in Nepal's remote mountain village of Basa. Their kindness, spirituality and openness were a refreshing change from Western culture. And their way of life was exactly as it had been, for five hundred years.But then, friends in the area requested help in upgrading Basa village's school.How, Jeff wondered, could he fulfill the request without obliterating a culture that had existed for centuries?"What can we give to Basa that it really needs (without destroying the culture by Westernizing it)?" he asks, in his book Bringing Progress to Paradise: How I Changed Nepal, How Nepal Changed Me.The answer was the catalyst for the creation of nonprofit Basa Village Foundation.Listening to the villageSince that initial request, Jeff, and the Foundation, have implemented multiple projects geared towards health, education and a better standard of living in Basa village. But, Jeff explains, every project must first be requested by the villagers.Then, he continues, implementation of the project involves the whole community.Jeff, who coordinates trekking and mountaineering expeditions through award-winning Nepal travel agency Adventure Geo Treks, explains that he has returned, five times, to Basa. While there, he will inspect the projects and ask the villagers' opinions of the way these projects are affecting their lives.So far, those projects have included upgrading the school, bringing electricity to the village, and a new agricultural and animal husbandry cooperative.A full creative scheduleMeanwhile, as covered in our previous interview, when Jeff is in his home state of Indiana, he serves as President of nonprofit Scientech Foundation of Indiana, which supports STEM and STEAM education through grants.A prolific author, Jeff has written 18 books so far. His extensive travels, his experience as a legal professional and his perspectives on history and spirituality are all reflected in his books.Jeff talked about the creation of the Basa Village Foundation, offered a closer look at the projects they've implemented in the village, and discussed some of the activities of the Scientech Foundation of Indiana.

"...The growth of technology is, by definition, accessibility," says AbleGamers Executive Director Jordan Kough.And for 21 years, nonprofit AbleGamers has been working towards making video gaming accessible to all.Their objectives stretch far beyond making sure everyone has fun. Although that's a valid consideration!On their website, AbleGamers' stated mission is to "enable play in order to combat social isolation, foster inclusive communities, and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities."Their programs are achieving these objectives in some exciting ways.Multifaceted innovationAmong their initiatives is the Able Player One program, where adaptive gaming specialists meet with players with disabilities, determine their accessibility needs and deliver--free of charge--gear that allows them to start, and continue, gaming. (And the specialists will stay in contact with the gamer, to be sure the items they supply are working for that person's specific needs.)In addition, AbleGamers have, so far, trained more than 1,000 video game developers in accessibility. Their APX program offers 22 different patterns for accessible experiences."The coolest parts about this is that we see all different types of people in our space, that want to get trained on this to use it in different parts and ways," Jordan says.Also, through their Player Panel program, AbleGamers have assembled the world's largest panel of gamers with disabilities, to advise the gaming industry.They even have an in-house Engineering Research Team, which prototypes and creates new devices when current technology fails to meet an individual's accessibility needs.Looking towards the futureBut perhaps one of their most exciting recent initiatives is their first international Esports Tournament for players with disabilities!Scheduled for March 7, 2026, in Milan, this hybrid competition will welcome players to compete both in-person and remotely. (Registrations are currently open, with more information available through their socials, @ablegamers.)Jordan shared the story of AbleGamers, offered a closer look at their programs and talked about his vision for the future.

"Letters like these make my day," says Abeye Co-Founder and CEO Michael Kodochian.He's describing some of the responses he's received from users of Lexilens, the patented smart glasses he invented to help users with dyslexia read more smoothly.In one case, a grandmother wrote to him to say that her dyslexic granddaughter's difficulties had previously led her to abandon her dream of becoming a nurse. But now, Lexilens was allowing the young woman to resume her studies.And for Michael, results like this are the reason behind his work."I want somehow to contribute to a better world," he says.The workings of innovationSo, how does Lexilens work? In effect, it's a neurovisual-enhancement filter."Lexilens corrects...the visual processing in the brain," Michael explains."...It cleans the input (of information you're reading)."And the clarity it provides allows dyslexics to build their "dictionaries" of reading compehension, due to being able to process the words on the printed page--or computer monitor--more easily.Michael points out that these smart glasses do not distinguish letters, nor increase reading speed."It's not magic," he says, explaining that reading ability is built over time and that the person using it, not the device itself, will distinguish words.However, it IS revolutionary.What Lexilens does, is remove the visual "noise" of dyslexia, so that a user can develop these skills.And there's more...While Lexilens, which has garnered numerous awards including a 2020 CES® Innovation Award, is currently available for sale, Michael and his team also have a new innovation: a smart monitor screen, which should be available in the U.S. in March!Michael shared the story of his smart-eyewear startup Abeye and Lexilens, explained how the smart glasses work, and offered a closer look at some of the ways his technology is creating a better future.

This post and podcast are for informational purposes only, and are not intended as medical advice. Please contact a healthcare professional with any medical questions.For Prothea Kenya Co-Founder and Managing Director Dr. Nick Were, emerging technology equals a pathway to better medical care--and better lives for his patients.But the innovation doesn't stop there.Next, he and his colleagues add imagination, creativity and a sense of community.Dr. Were, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences, uses 3D printing to create prosthetic devices for amputees. The result: lighter, more durable devices, with a more comfortable fit--at about half the normal cost.In Kenya, he explains, after an amputation, prosthetics can cost as much as $1,000--and national health insurance doesn't cover the cost."Many people can't (afford) that."But, he continues, lack of a prosthetic device can doom that patient to a life of poverty."If you can't move, than you really can't do much.("Our devices cost about half the cost of a traditional prosthetic.")Community, creativity and funOnce a patient receives one of Prothea Kenya's 3D printed prosthetic devices, Dr. Were and his colleagues begin gait training. As patients learn to navigate with their new prosthetic limbs, their sessions take place where new patients can see how the 3D printed devices work for their recipients.Often, a second look is necessary to even determine that anyone is using a prosthesis!That statement is especially true of the event which Dr. Were implemented in 2025: Kenya's first "Mr. and Miss Amputee Kenya Fashion Show"!Dr. Were's vision for this special event extends beyond Kenya; he'd like to make the fashion show an annual, and global, event. Plans are already in progress for a second show, in the final quarter of 2026.Extending excellence through technologyAnd Dr. Were, who is passionate about technology in medicine, continues to explore the ways technological advances can benefit his patients--and his colleagues.As Chief Medical Officer at digital healthcare platform Docthus Healthtech, he updates healthcare professionals on current trends in medicine, through the use of mixed reality. He also uses virtual reality for patient pain management, as well as medical education."Combining...the virtual reality, the 3D printing and my orthopedic surgery practice, really is my life's goal, my dream," Dr. Were says."And I'm really happy to be living my dream."Dr. Were talked about his background, shared the story of creating Prothea Kenya and offered a preview of what's next!

"When I first started teaching fifth grade in Vermont, I quickly found that my students didn't know their math facts," says MathFactLab creator and company owner Mike Kenny.That discovery would ultimately lead him to designing his online strategy-based math fact fluency application.Mike, who teaches fifth grade at Thomas Fleming Elementary School in Essex Junction, Vermont, first responded to the challenge by researching ways to help his students learn math more easily.Designing a revolutionary systemBut everything he found was based on memorization--which wasn't working.Instead, Mike began creating a system that would help students understand multiplication, division, addition and subtraction. Initially, that system was flash card-based, but eventually, Mike found a developer and evolved it into an online program.MathFactLab is highly visual: math facts are displayed through multiple models, including beads, dice, clock faces and bar graphs.For students using the program, learning math become a discovery process, that's all about reasoning and thinking with numbers, and identifying patterns."It's much easier to apply patterns, than it is to rely on memory,"," Mike says.Starting with certaintyAlso, he explains, students explore what they already know, to learn new math facts.For example, with a student who says they can't do division, Mike will ask if they can multiple a simple number, such as three times eight. Then, he has that student consider that they already understand how to divide, if they can multiply!"Division is simply 'unmultiplication',"he says.And the approach of discovering new facts, and learning visually, is highly effective, as students learn, rather than simply recite, facts."If they can get there themselves, then they own (that knowledge), and they appreciate it all the more, and remember it," Mike says.Mike shared the story of creating MathFactLab, offered a closer look at some of the principles teachers can use in their classroom, and discussed what's next with the program.

As CES® 2026 happens this week, in Las Vegas, Over Coffee® pays tribute to them with this reposting of one of our all-time top interviews from a previous Eureka Park® exhibitor!"...Sixty-five percent of kids...entering school today will end up (in) jobs that currently do not exist," explained Nanit Robotics Founder Vlad Konov, during our 2023 conversation.Since then, that statement has only become more relevant.Vlad, who introduced his Nanit ed-tech to the U.S. in the Eureka Park® startup area of CES®2023, has a long track record of innovation.An engineer, entrepreneur and educator, he is also the founder and CEO of RoboHouse, Ukraine’s international laboratory of robotics, electronics and programming.In addition, he is the creator of a first-of-its-kind robotics school in Ukraine.Our discussion, following CES®2023, explored the ways his user-friendly kit, for all ages, made robotics accessible to all.Based on experienceVlad's innovation sprang from his discoveries of the limited learning resources for adults, as he began his journey, in adulthood, as a self-taught roboticist.While STEM opportunities for children are abundant, he says, he found very few learning possibilities for beginning adult learners.However, he did see a real need for upskilling."...Now, market need is to change your professional orientation. It's OK to change your professional orientation at least three times in your lifetime," Vlad says.And as he became proficient in robotics, he began thinking of ways to fill that gap."We don't have enough STEM education for adults, and I want to solve this problem," he says."I have a lot of success right now (with robotics). Can you imagine if (I'd started) at 12 or 13?"His experience would ultimately lead him to create the Nanit Robotics kit--from which users of all ages can build, literally, 100 robots!But he didn't stop there.Growing the inspirationToday, according to Nanit Robotics' website, that innovation has grown into an online engineering course: "Nanit Master", which is getting A pluses, in feedback, from previous students!"Our mission of the project is to create engineers," explains the website."The company's products are not used as weapons, they have only an educational STEM character."Another exciting note? Since our conversation, Nanit has also begun offering smart home products on Amazon!A quick check of their listings reveals several different types of baby monitors, including a wearable which tracks breathing motion, and a wi-fi camera with sleep tracking and two-way audio."This is the future," Vlad says.Vlad shared the story of Nanit Robotics, explained some of the ways the kit can be used and offered a closer look at a future in which robotics can facilitate bringing ideas to life.

Over Coffee® is on holiday hiatus. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2025!This post and podcast are for informational purposes only, and are not intended as medical advice. Please contact a healthcare professional with any health-related questions."If you can learn the planets, you can learn the microbes--if you have the tools," says MedMicroMaps CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Jane Harrington."...I will do anything to meet the learner where they are."And that's exactly what she has done, by drawing on her background as a professor of microbiology, at multiple universities, as well as her time spent serving as Course Director in the area of medical microbiology, both in the Caribbean and, more recently, at Rocky Vista University in Billings, Montana.Dr. Jane uses technology, both to put microbiology into relatable terms, and to engage visual learners in a fun experience.Analogies through VRHer virtual-reality game, MedMicroMaps, replaces the "intimidation" factor with fun--even as it provides a highly-effective tool for visual learning.The gamer enters a world where they see actual bacteria before them--and interact with them, in the course of their experience. And these are realistic bacteria."It's based on real science," Dr. Jane explains."So (many) VR applications right now, they're very 'cartoony'.""(Our representation says,) 'This is a bacteria phage. This is actually what it looks like.'"Meanwhile, players are discovering parallels between the science behind the virtual bacteria in the game, and their own experiences.(For example, Dr. Jane says, one person mentioned that a bacteria phage looks like an octopus!)The world of bacteria in VRMedMicroMaps players are assisted by a mascot/study buddy named Phage.i. He's a bacteria phage, designed with AI to begin at a learner’s starting point, for microbiology, and help them “grow” from there.He's also there to make microbiology accessible. Phage.i is a whimsical character with a high voice: Dr. Jane says that, upon seeing him, most people comment on his “cuteness”!The game is pure fun. In addition to a "detective"-style puzzle to solve, there's a "whack-a-microbe" feature.Directions for learningIn addition, MedMicroMaps incorporates a revolutionary "map" and compass.These are a patented design which allows user to learn the effects of the different types of microbes both visually and geographically."...An upper-respiratory tract infection, that's the northern coordinate," Dr. Jane explains."Versus, if I have something in my lungs, and it's pneumonia, that's the south."2025 saw Dr. Jane and her husband and MedMicroMaps co-founder, Ian Holyoak, roll out the beta version of MedMicroMaps. Their ultimate goal: several different editions: for high-school students, medical students and institutions of higher learning.Dr. Jane talked about creating MedMicroMaps, explained how her game works and offered a closer look at the compass system!

When Pasadena's 137th Tournament of Roses® Parade happens on New Year's Day, the students of Cal Poly Universities will be upholding a long-standing New Year's Day tradition.However,they'll also be showcasing cutting-edge innovation, as their 77th Rose Parade®float, "Jungle Jumpstart', goes by.This particular float is both a whimsical story, in accordance with the 2026 parade theme, "The Magic in Teamwork", and a reflection of the various skills and talents of the students on two separate campuses.Unique to the paradeSince 1949, Cal Poly Universities students have built and entered a float in the Rose Parade®. Not only is theirs the only student-built entry--their organization is one of only six noncommercial groups, or "self-builts", participating in the parade.Cal Poly Universities' float's chassis is created by students on the Pomona and San Luis Obispo campus. Then, in October, the San Luis Obispo team drive their half down to the Pomona campus, where the two halves are joined.And from there, the two teams work as one.Because the students are learning by doing, their freedom to experiment often results in some unprecedented innovations.A 1968 hydraulic-powered animation system and a 2017 engineering system which changed colors of flowers, are among their inventions.And on New Year's Day 2026, parade viewers will again get to see some unprecedented technological use, on "Jungle Jumpstart"!Introducing: 2026Aubrey Goings is President of Cal Poly Rose Float, San Luis Obispo, and Amelia Atwell is President of Cal Poly Rose Float, Pomona. Both Aubrey and Amelia are architecture students, using their passion for design to create something magical.Aubrey and Amelia talked about their experiences with Cal Poly Rose Float, their work so far on "Jungle Jumpstart" and the lessons they've learned from their experience.(Would you like to support the Cal Poly Universities students as they craft "Jungle Jumpstart"? Here are links to their Amazon wish lists, for both decorations and operations!)

Artist and technologist Dulce Baerga empowers others in the metaverse.One of her current projects, Avatar Gods, uses artificial intelligence to generate avatars which reflect each user's individuality. These will be platform-agnostic, extending that person's presence across multiple metaverse platforms.In addition, Dulce says, her avatars will retain a user's individuality, when they're not on the platforms!As a pioneer in mixed reality, augmented reality, and immersive technologies, Dulce has created multiple . XR experiences. She is the CEO of creative technology studio Dulce Dotcom, and has more than 25 years' experience in blending creativity with technical expertise to take XR innovation beyond its current boundaries.Dulce says Avatar Gods is currently in prototype stage, and a matter of months from its first release, pending funding.The artist as mentorIn addition to Avatar Gods, Dulce is currently building, and preparing to launch, her Dulce XR Creator Lab! This is a hybrid AI/WebXR education program, which will teach creatives how to build immersive experiences using the pipelines she has developed.She also builds worlds for her clients, and consults on avatars and immersive projects.And expect her to break new ground, in the process."in 2018, I really focused in on WebXR and have been really passionate about it ever since, and pushed its boundaries as much as I can," Dulce explains.Dulce talked about her creative journey, explained how Avatar Gods will work and offered a preview of what's next!

Due to an electrical outage, we're running a backup episode of Over Coffee® this week. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2025!"We are so not ready," says anthropologist, futurist, AI ethicist, broadcaster and educator Dr. Lollie Mancey.She's discussing AI--and the challenges its high-speed adoption is presenting to society.Dr. Mancey, who is Programme Director at University College Dublin’s Innovation Academy, sees multiple problems with the way AI is infiltrating our lives. Among them: the ways artificial intelligence excludes some segments of the population; the perception that it will make humans "obsolete"; and a general blind acceptance, without questioning, of the ways it's being presented by technology companies.Since AI is inevitable in all aspects of life and future industry, she adds, we need to explore, experiment and ask questions. And most of all, see it as a supplement to our talents, as opposed to supplanting them."You can play with it as a tool, but it must never replace us," she says.The challenge--and the "why"As an award-winning storyteller and keynote speaker, Dr. Mancey likes to challenge her listeners to explore new ideas. Within the next three to five years, she says, ninety percent of us may have agentic AI involved in our lives. Consequently, she explains, all of us need to imagine the ways we can have “a place at the table” as artificial intelligence evolves.Dr. Mancey talked about her background, some of her research in AI and the directions she recommends everyone take, to stay proactive and collaborative with artificial intelligence in education and the future workplace.

Over Coffee® is on Thanksgiving week hiatus. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2025!Most people don't put the words "engineering" and "fun" together in the same sentence.But for Air Rocket Works Co-Founders Rick Schertle and Keith Violette, the two always go together.With a shared passion for creating rockets and launchers, they first connected over some articles Rick wrote for Make Magazine.Keith wound up sending Rick a working prototype of his compressed-air rocket launcher, which Rick describes as "the coolest thing ever".The rest is history.The "launch" of a small businessRick and Keith, who live in California and New Hampshire, respectively, have only seen each other in-person a handful of times: at maker fairs! But their small business, Air Rocket Works, has been capturing the imagination of kids and "big kids" since its founding in 2014.And their air rockets, compressed-air launchers and free templates--including four contributed by NASA!--continue to be a hit."I've always wanted to include the fun side of engineering, and keep things interesting," Keith says.Inspiring the makersWhile their products have a sense of joy built right into them, Air Rocket Works' launchers and templates are also teaching kids--and "big kids"--a lot about science, technology, engineering, art and math.Both Rick, who teaches at Steindorf STEAM Magnet School, and Keith, a mechanical engineer by profession, have implemented maker fairs at their local schools.For Rick, a long-held dream of hosting a school maker fair ultimately led him to evolve the school's traditional open house to a mini-maker event. With music, a rocket launch and maker stations, the event was a huge success, and grew proportionately. Rick says he thinks 2025 will mark their fourth year!(Like to give a favorite maker or rocket enthusiast a gift they'll enjoy? Here’s a link to Rick’s book “Planes, Gliders and Paper Rockets: Simple Flying Things Anyone Can Make” on Amazon!)Meanwhile, while his own son and daughter were in school, Keith volunteered to teach engineering sessions. These involved building water rockets and doing rocket launches. After meeting other parents with similar engineering background, he and his wife Tanya organized a three-hour maker fair, with fifty exhibits, at the local high school, for students from first grade through high school."(We made) all kinds of just really fun hands-on things, to show that science, engineering and the arts all work well together," he explains.And both Rick and Keith want to keep right on creating cool "flying things", teaching and inspiring kids (as well as big kids!) to explore, be confident and see themselves as makers.Rick and Keith shared the story of Air Rocket Works, talked about some of their favorite experiences and discussed what they'd like to do next!