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

Dot Cannon: Public Speaker & New-Media Reporter
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Would you like to know more about the art of twenty-first century "cool stuff" that's changing our world? Such as: robots, space exploration, new media, wearable technology and other innovations that will be making people go, "Wow!" in the future? Along with the ways new technologies, new ways of thinking and new opportunities are influencing social change? Two Maverix® Multimedia presents Over Coffee®. Arts-oriented STEAM enthusiast Dot Cannon used to daydream through science class and dread math class. And now, she sees how both of these can be painless when applied to making wearables, programming robots, telling a spacecraft what to do or creating a VR entertainment experience. She and her interview guests will show you how the intersection of art and science can mean opportunities to express your creativity, find new resources for learning, and see what's coming next.

  1. Jun 8

    At the Edge of Evolving the Future

    Dr. Carolina Cruz-Neira has something exciting to show you. Actually, she has several exciting innovations to show everyone--with more coming. Dr. Cruz is an immersive technology pioneer and the creator of the original CAVE VR system: the world's first real-time environment to allow multiple people to have an immersive experience in the same space. And she's about to showcase her latest projects on the exhibit floor of Augmented World Expo 2026, in Long Beach. Those projects? A human telepresence robot, and her work with her team on AI companions! (Both of these are currently finalists for AWE's Auggie Awards!) For Dr. Cruz, who is the Executive Director of Pegasus Institute as well as the Interim Executive Director of UCF's Institute for Simulation and Training, these projects are just the latest steps in nearly four decades of innovation. An innovator's journey Dr. Cruz has founded multiple successful applied-research centers, spearheaded open-source initiatives, innovated digital tools used worldwide. Recently she received IEEE's VR Lifetime Achievement Award. Additional honors received, over the course of her career, include her induction into the National Academy of Engineering, as the first person to receive this recognition for immersive technologies and virtual reality. Dr. Cruz is an AWE XR Hall of Fame member, and in 2025, Forbes Magazine recognized her in their prestigious "50 Over 50" List. However, she says, her current work resulted from her Plan "B" when she attended college. Her original career aspiration: to become a classical ballerina. To satisfy her family, who wanted her to have a more marketable degree, she studied systems engineering and computer science. "I (could do my STEM homework super fast) to get that out of the way and get to the studio," she explains. From studio to research lab But when an accident ended her dreams of a dance career, she combined her creativity and technical abilities in computer graphics work. A chance invitation led her to discover virtual reality. The rest is not only history--but still evolving. "We have made tremendous progress, but...I don't think we're done yet," Dr. Cruz says, of the current state of virtual and extended reality. Dr. Cruz talked about her background, shared the story of pioneering the CAVE and offered a look at some of the emerging technologies she and her team are exploring. (Would you like to meet Dr. Cruz and her team, and get a look at their work firsthand? They'll be at Booth 337, on the Augmented World Expo exhibit floor. AWE 2026 runs June 15th through 18th in Long Beach.)

    51 min

  2. Jun 1

    Powering Dreams Through STEAM

    Garner Holt Education Through Imagination is inspiring everyone to play, dream and be creative. In the process, students may be discovering future careers. This imaginative Redlands-based STEAM program implements unique "AniMaker" spaces for schools and communities. Students and participants of all ages learn twenty-first century hands-on skills, while designing and creating animatronics. Recently, Garner Holt Education Through Imagination opened a new space at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Redlands - Riverside. You'll get to see this firsthand. You're invited to their virtual open house, on Tuesday, June 9th, to find out more about how they implemented this first-of-its-kind space in the area! Here's the link for more information. Multifaceted STEAM In addition, Garner Holt Education Through Imagination offers STEAM animatronics kits, STEAM camp experiences and field trips. They also do professional training for educators. It's all about the students discovering what they love to do, and having fun being creative, says Educational Services Manager Jill Brown. "I like to say that my job is getting to what I wish I'd had, as a kid," explains Jill, who draws on her background in early childhood education to create the curricula. "With all of the programs and field trips and summer camps that I get to create, I always think of, 'what would I want to see from this?', or...'what's something that I think would be intriguing?'" A pioneer's creative journey This innovative program ultimately resulted from the general public's interest in Garner Holt Productions. The world's largest creator of animatronics, show action systems and interactive elements started with owner and company president Garner Holt, and his passion for building cool characters that give, as he says, "the illusion of life". Garner, while still in his teens, had begun by building animatronics in his parents' garage. He quickly branched out to create his own company in 1977. "As I moved out of my parents' garage and into a building, people always wanted to know what I was doing...making a dinosaur or some character or something like that," he explains. "So, I started giving tours." As the shop grew, in the ensuing 49 years, Garner Holt Productions wowed people all over the world. Their spectacular creations captivated visitors at locations including theme parks, museums, zoos, and a popular children's restaurant chain. And Garner never said "no" to anyone who wanted to tour the facility. Giving back to future generations These explorations of the creative process behind the magic ultimately led to the STEAM education program, and its goal of introducing students to possible future career paths. "I started to adopt schools," Garner says. "I combined forces with a couple of different educators...we decided to create some form of a STEAM/STEM learning thing (with animatronics). "...It's a modern-day shop class for schools." In addition to the Education Through Imagination program, Garner also created the nonprofit Garner Holt Foundation, which offers underserved youth opportunities for hands-on, career-focused STEAM education. Meanwhile, he says, community-based maker space Garner's Garage will soon be welcoming additional young makers into its hands-on learning environment. Garner and Jill talked about their experiences with Education Through Imagination, offered a look at the applications of STEAM in creating animatronics, and shared their vision for the future of their STEAM education programs.

    36 min

  3. May 27

    At the "Center" of Innovation--and Inspiration

    "We are creating innovators who are solving problems in real time," says Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside Teen Services Program Manager Montoya Dunn. That creative process is happening in a new, exciting space. In April, 2026, the Garner Holt Teen Innovation Center opened its doors at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Redlands - Riverside. The first of its kind in the region, the Garner Holt Teen Innovation Center offers youth hands-on opportunities to build new skills as they bring their creative ideas to life. Among the areas teens can explore are 3D printing, graphic design, PC building and E-sports. Creative entrepreneurship is flourishing, and the "Club Kids" are discovering possible future opportunities which may not have occurred them before. Meanwhile, two special events are coming up! On August 29th, Boys & Girls Club will host their teens-only recruitment event, "Total Teen Takeover". Then, on September 12th, everyone's invited to "A Day for Kids", where visitors can see what teens are creating in the new space! (And if you'd like to see all the exciting activities happening at the Teen Center, be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook!) Montoya talked about her background as a Boys & Girls Club alumni, shared the story of implementing the Teen Innovation Center and offered a closer look at the ways the new equipment will be allowing teens to grow, now and in the future.

    30 min

  4. May 19

    The "Mechanics" of a Better Future

    Due to an electrical issue, this week we're reposting one of our top episodes. Please enjoy our January 2026 conversation with Dr. Nick Were, of Prothea Kenya! 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. "Don't copy and paste. Copy and innovate,"says Prothea Kenya Co-Founder and Managing Director Dr. Nick Were. That's exactly what he's doing, in his career as an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences--as well as the company he co-founded in 2023. "I've always been really passionate about mechanics," Dr. Were says. "...I really like how things work...(surgery allows me to mix that passion with medicine). "...You're fixing bones, there's lots of biomechanic principles, and most importantly, most of the cases you see are successful. You fix someone, and he's walking in about two months. "That's really the joy." Dr. Were combines his passion for making things work with cutting-edge technologies, to improve medicine--and lives--in Kenya. Prothea Kenya, the only successful 3D printing prosthetic device company In East and Central Africa, 3D prints prosthetic devices for amputees. The results can be life-changing. Innovating prosthetics At about half the cost of creating a traditional prosthetic, Prothea Kenya produces devices that are lighter, as well as customized to the individual. In addition, the production process is much quicker than that of creating a traditional prosthetic device. And once fitted with these 3D printed prostheses and trained to use the new devices, Dr. Were's patients can lead productive lives once again--as opposed to being immobilized and unemployed. But 3D printing isn't the only cutting-edge technology he's using, to create a better future. VR and rehabilitation "The virtual reality is really amazing," Dr. Were says, explaining the ways he uses virtual reality for amputee rehabilitation. As patients adapt to their new devices,they can experience AI-generated immersive scenarios, based on their likes and interests. Meanwhile, VR is helping with pain management and allowing them to adjust to their new devices, due to its ability to "trick" the brain. "In VR, when you look down, you have both legs," Dr. Were explains. "And you're moving. And the legs appear normal. This has an effect on the brain...and it helps with the coping, ...the phantom pain and quite a number of things." Excellence, VR and--fashion? In addition to his work with prosthetic devices, Dr. Were, who is Chief Medical Officer at digital healthcare platform Docthus Healthtech, uses mixed reality to update fellow healthcare professionals on current trends in medicine. He also uses virtual reality to provide medical education. But perhaps the most exciting of his innovations is still evolving. In 2025, Dr. Were produced the first "Mr. and Miss Amputee Kenya Fashion Show"! And he's currently seeking sponsors, in order to produce it again in 2026. For amputees, he says, the event offers a community of comfort and validation. "(We're) really going against the narrative of poverty and disability," he says. (Know a potential sponsor, or sponsors? Reach out to Dr. Were at Prothea Kenya!) Dr. Were talked about his background, shared the story of creating Prothea Kenya and offered a preview of what's next!

    50 min

  5. May 12

    Unlimited Awesome: Reimagining Tomorrow

    "We just need a full redesign on our educational system, because it's...falling short," says Unlimited Awesome Co-Founder and COO Julie Smithson. She's speaking from her own experience, even as she designs a better future through her revolutionary new entrepreneurship education platform, Unlimited Awesome. The program With a scheduled launch this autumn, Unlimited Awesome maps students' goals and strengths through an AI Mentor. Students then master life skills through "6 Castles of Success", earn interactive badges in gamified learning experiences, and collaborate globally on a virtual campus. And they'll be guided by mentors--more than 175 of whom have volunteered to coach the students in their entrepreneurial journey. The program, Julie estimates, will take students about two years to complete. "At the end of (the entire program), the result that we want is for that student to come up with a business," Julie says. "We truly believe in the solopreneur." Reinventing education for a future world Julie, who is the co-founder of both METAVRSE and nonprofit XR Women, began working on Unlimited Awesome, in tandem with her partner and husband, futurist Alan Smithson, more than twelve years ago. The catalyst: the disparity she saw between her then-nine-year-old daughter's experience with traditional education, and her daughter's talents as a budding entrepreneur. While attending inventor's camp, her young daughter came up with an imaginative and marketable product. But upon her return to traditional classes, the curriculum didn't match the skills she would need as a future innovator. "My daughter is about to graduate high school, and I'm frustrated to say that she hasn't been taught how to manage money," Julie comments. "Today, in (this) day and age, let's start asking, why aren't we teaching this? This is such a fundamental (skill)." Far more than a classroom But Unlimited Awesome is about much more than, simply, "school". Julie describes it as an ecosystem, with a goal of having every student thrive. The ultimate goal: a community of inventors, creators and entrepreneurs who can flourish in a future unpredictable marketplace, as well as mentor other students following graduation. The "6 Castles of Success" in Unlimited Awesome's personalized-learning program go beyond simple business skills--to cover areas including ethics, money management, purpose and health and wellness. "...We have built this curriculum that we feel will accelerate (students), in a way that they will benefit back to society," Julie says. "And these are the people we want around us. They're the ones that we want to build our future." Julie shared the story of creating Unlimited Awesome, offered a closer look at what students will experience, and discussed some of the ways the life skills in the program will prepare them for the careers of the future.

    37 min

  6. May 5

    The Magic of Engagement

    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.

    31 min

  7. Apr 28

    Creativity: Key to Learning

    "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...free Pathways 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 evolution While 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 to Blackwing 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.

  8. Apr 21

    "Powerful Together"

    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 firsts After 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.

    24 min
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Would you like to know more about the art of twenty-first century "cool stuff" that's changing our world? Such as: robots, space exploration, new media, wearable technology and other innovations that will be making people go, "Wow!" in the future? Along with the ways new technologies, new ways of thinking and new opportunities are influencing social change? Two Maverix® Multimedia presents Over Coffee®. Arts-oriented STEAM enthusiast Dot Cannon used to daydream through science class and dread math class. And now, she sees how both of these can be painless when applied to making wearables, programming robots, telling a spacecraft what to do or creating a VR entertainment experience. She and her interview guests will show you how the intersection of art and science can mean opportunities to express your creativity, find new resources for learning, and see what's coming next.

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