STEAM Rises STEAM Rises Podcast

In this week’s episode of STEAM Rises, Melina interviews Jess Piña, the Human Resources Talent Director at Tank Design, who has been instrumental in guiding young professionals through the post-college landscape. "Your network is your net worth," Jess emphasizes, leveraging her connections to foster access and equity in the design field.

We begin this episode with an invitation into a journaling practice.  Who helped you in your career path? How can we bust the myth of individual achievement? How can each of us be more deliberate in
supporting others in their journeys?



Keep the STEAM Rising:

⁠Shared Value defined⁠

⁠Two Blocks Episode on Shared Value⁠

⁠https://www.IDEO.com⁠ ⁠UX Strategy⁠⁠AR (Augmented Reality) Experience⁠

⁠Key and Peele⁠

⁠Saturday Night Live⁠

⁠Innovators for Purpose⁠

⁠Tank Design⁠



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The podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠STEAM Rises⁠⁠⁠⁠ explores the intersection of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Hosted by Melina O'Grady and Melinda Barbosa, the podcast features interviews with guests from across STEAM sectors in the Cambridge, MA area. From community education to the arts; public schools to higher education; fashion to astrophysics and much more – STEAM is everywhere! The hosts let their curiosity guide their conversations, starting with questions about the guests' roles and motivations. The podcast aims to inspire listeners to create change in their communities and lives by engaging in conversations, asking new questions, and reflecting on belonging and Habits of Mind. STEAM Rises is produced by the⁠⁠⁠⁠ Cambridge STEAM Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, uncover the power of embracing curiosity as a tool for empowerment and discover how the inquisitive nature of young minds is already reshaping our future. Jean Dao, Manager of High School Programming and Professional Development at the Harvard Office of Public Affairs and Communication, discusses with Melinda the importance of STEAM education and its integration into all aspects of life. 

Jean Dao shares her inspiring journey of awakening to the significance of science and STEM in our daily lives, while navigating the challenges with young people of digital literacy in an age saturated with information. 

From redefining traditional education to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, this episode challenges the status quo and champions the importance of equipping young minds with the tools to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Be inspired as we explore the transformative potential of mentorship and the pivotal role it plays in building resilient communities and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

 “There's  never  only  one  name  on  any  published  paper.  There's  dozens  of  them. And  so  I  think  for  me,  the  work  that  we  do  with  STEAM  and  the  work  that  we  do  with  young  people  in  STEAM  is  to  nurture  that  sense  of  community  and  mentorship... Nobody  makes  it  alone."  - Jean Dao



Keep the STEAM Rising on your own with these resources:

Convergent evolution

Black swallow wart

Phosphorus discovery in outer space

@HipHopEd

Since the dawn of time, humans have gazed up at the twinkling stars above, seeking wonder and maybe even a few answers along the way. Joining us this week is Daniel Yahalomi, a fourth-year PhD student studying astrophysics at Columbia University. Get ready as he takes us on a cosmic journey through his involvement with the Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program, where he guided bright young minds from the Cambridge area through year-long research adventures.

Daniel's enthusiasm for working with these young scientists is contagious. He's not just about exploring the far reaches of space; he's equally passionate about breaking down barriers right here on Earth. Daniel invites us to create opportunities and widen access for everyone, encouraging us all to fling open the doors of opportunity for the next generation.

Want to learn more about Daniel's work? Check out his website.

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The podcast ⁠⁠STEAM Rises⁠⁠ explores the intersection of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Hosted by Melina O'Grady and Melinda Barbosa, the podcast features interviews with guests from across STEAM sectors in the Cambridge, MA area. From community education to the arts; public schools to higher education; fashion to astrophysics and much more – STEAM is everywhere! The hosts let their curiosity guide their conversations, starting with questions about the guests' roles and motivations. The podcast aims to inspire listeners to create change in their communities and lives by engaging in conversations, asking new questions, and reflecting on belonging and Habits of Mind. STEAM Rises is produced by the⁠⁠ Cambridge STEAM Initiative⁠⁠.

After-school programs provide a playful learning environment where many young people explore STEAM, guided by caring and supportive adults. In this episode of STEAM Rises, hosts Melina and Melinda interview the remarkable Barbara Brothers, Director of the BEE After-school Program at the Benjamin Banneker Charter School. Self-proclaimed to be "older than dirt," Barbara shares her wisdom and innovative approaches to connecting with young people's "frequency" and supporting staff in tuning into their own curiosity. All the while, she keeps her gaze fixed on the stars, imagining new possibilities. Spoiler alert: She believes that in the future, we'll need people who know how to clean up space junk.



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The podcast ⁠STEAM Rises⁠ explores the intersection of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Hosted by Melina O'Grady and Melinda Barbosa, the podcast features interviews with guests from across STEAM sectors in the Cambridge, MA area. From community education to the arts; public schools to higher education; fashion to astrophysics and much more – STEAM is everywhere! The hosts let their curiosity guide their conversations, starting with questions about the guests' roles and motivations. The podcast aims to inspire listeners to create change in their communities and lives by engaging in conversations, asking new questions, and reflecting on belonging and Habits of Mind. STEAM Rises is produced by the⁠ Cambridge STEAM Initiative⁠.

What is STEAM? In this first episode of STEAM Rises, the hosts Melina O'Grady and Melinda Barbosa highlight the accessibility of The Hive maker space in the Cambridge Public Library and the ways in which people are engaging with STEAM in innovative and interesting ways. They are exploring the idea that STEAM is not just about social mobility or financial gain, but about real impact and change. The podcast aims to challenge listeners to think differently about STEAM and its role in their lives, and to recognize that everyone has the capacity to engage with STEAM in their own unique way.

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The podcast STEAM Rises explores the intersection of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Hosted by Melina O'Grady and Melinda Barbosa, the podcast features interviews with guests from across STEAM sectors in the Cambridge, MA area. From community education to the arts; public schools to higher education; fashion to astrophysics and much more – STEAM is everywhere! The hosts let their curiosity guide their conversations, starting with questions about the guests' roles and motivations. The podcast aims to inspire listeners to create change in their communities and lives by engaging in conversations, asking new questions, and reflecting on belonging and Habits of Mind. STEAM Rises is produced by the Cambridge STEAM Initiative.



Follow the Cambridge STEAM Initiative on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).



References:

Harvard-MIT Science Research Mentoring Program

STEAM Rises explores the intersection of STEAM: science,
technology, engineering, arts, and math. Hosted by Melina O'Grady and Melinda Barbosa the podcast features interviews with guests from across the Cambridge community and beyond. The hosts let their curiosity guide the conversations, starting with questions about the guests' roles and motivations. The podcast
aims to inspire listeners to create change in their communities and lives by engaging in conversations, asking new questions, and reflecting on belonging and Habits of Mind. STEAM Rises is produced by the Cambridge STEAM Initiative.