We invite you and your family (both children and adults) to attend our 8th annual conference focusing on celebrating the richness within our communities. Attendance is free and open to all members of the community. Conference activities will consist of interactive STEAM workshops and games (including some in Spanish) hosted by professionals and students.
Les invitamos a usted, a su familia (tanto niños como adultos) a asistir a nuestra octava conferencia anual enfocada en celebrar la riqueza de nuestras comunidades. La asistencia es gratuita y abierta a tod@s l@s miembr@s de la comunidad. Las actividades de la conferencia consistirán en talleres y juegos interactivos de STEAM (incluyendo algunos en español) organizados por profesionales y estudiantes.
Conference Schedule
10:00AM - 11:00AM
11:15AM - 12:15PM
11:30AM - 1:30PM
12:30PM - 1:30PM
1:45PM - 2:45PM
3:00PM - 4:00PM
Workshop Session 1
Workshop Session 2
Lunch Available
Workshop Session 3
Workshop Session 4
Keynote, Raffle Results, & Closing Words
4:15PM - 5:15PM
University Tours
2024 presenters and sessions
Getting Loopy with Robotics
Workshop period / período #1 and #4
Audience: Everyone!
This workshop will introduce participants to programming logic and coding -- no experience required! Participants will use movement activities and real-life examples to connect their prior knowledge to foundational ideas in programming.
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​Paine Harris graduated this past May from the University of San Diego with a degree in Integrated Engineering. He currently is an electrical engineer for Clarity Design here in San Diego, and previously worked at the Jacobs Institute as the Learning Experiences and Technology Coordinator. He loves finding the intersection between his interests: engineering, teaching, computer science, and video games.
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Language: English
Paine Harris
Caring for your organs
UCSD Department of Pathology
Workshop period / período #2 and #3
Audience: Everyone!
Anatomic Pathologists:
Dr. Omonigho Aisagbonhi
Dr. Grace Lin
Dr. Mitchell Zhao
Anatomic Pathologists-In-Training:
Dr. Ida Ghlichloo
Dr. Hailee St. Louis
Dr. Wangpan (Jackson) Shi
Workshop: We will show normal and diseased human organs (liver, lung, uterus) macroscopically (gross pathology) and under the microscope (histologic pathology) and discuss ways to prevent some diseases that affect these organs.
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Language: English
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Dr. Adan Escobedo Sanchez
Workshop period / período #1 (in English) and #2 (en Español)
Audience: Upper Elementary/Middle/High School Students
This workshop aims to introduce upper elementary age students and families to Minecraft and explore the myriad of possibilities found within the game’s creative mode. Participants will come out knowing how to code and design in the game. Come learn and teach each other how to play!
Dr. Sanchez is the Project eSPAC3 Manager at the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education. Project eSPAC3 (pronounced eh-SPACE) is a three-year project funded by the National Science Foundation that aims to develop upper-elementary Latinx students’ spatial computational thinking skills and awareness in computationally-intensive careers through designing an immersive culturally relevant enactive learning experience in Minecraft: Education Edition. ​
​Language: Period #1 in English, Período #2 en español
Drawing plants & animals
Dr. Mike Maxwell, Maru Lopez, Jared Padilla-Elliott, Collete Tamayo​
Workshop period / período #2
Audience: Everyone!
Workshop: Draw colorful plants and animals with pencils, color pencils, and crayons. Layer colors to make beautiful bio-artworks. Learning fun for kids and adults.
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Language: English
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Dr. Mike Maxwell is a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at National University, where he teaches ecology, invertebrate zoology, and general biology. He is the founder and lead organizer of the NSF-funded project "Biology through Art", which brings artistic expression into biology courses. His art approach emphasizes drawings and acrylic painting. Biology through Art includes biologists and artists from over 40 universities and museums in the US and Canada. As a biologist, his research examines the mating behavior, genetics, and ecology of praying mantises in California, in which the "art of love" may be fatal for the male.
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Jared Padilla-Elliot is a Museum Educator and Event and Travel Programs Associate
at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. ​​​
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STEam highlight
Dr. Lavar J. Watkins &
Mrs. Kristina H. Watkins
Presidents & CEOs of LKW STEM FOUNDATION
unpacking stem
Dr. Lavar & Kristina Watkins
Workshop period / período #2
Audience: Everyone!
Kristina H. Watkins
Dr. Lavar Watkins
Dr. Lavar and Kristina Watkins are the CEO & President’s of Learning Knowledge Worldwide STEM Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which exists to provide opportunities through “STEM Education” that will inspire “Future STEMologists” at a critical juncture along their K-16 STEM educational and career pathway development to “sySTEMicly” impact our world as the next generation of innovative thinkers, creators and developers! TEAM WATKINS travels the city, state, and nation inspiring students, staff, businesses and various community stakeholders of the importance of learning and applying STEM concepts and content to everyday life.
Join us for this engaging and interesting workshop as we explore the various branches of STEM. There will be several activities that connect to STEM careers and educational pathways as well.
Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity required!​
Language: English
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explore the world with curiostiy: Global book bags to support elementary steam
Stepahnie Buttell-Maxin
Workshop period / período #1
Audience: Educators/Docentes
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Workshop Session: Invite your students to explore the world with curiosity through STEAM-themed children’s literature and home-school learning activities based on the disciplinary concepts and global competence themes in the story. Participants will learn about Global Book Bags developed by California Global Education Project Teacher Leaders and how STEAM-themed books can support STEAM learning through literacy, global competence, and homework. In this session, participants will learn about California’s Global Competence Framework, children’s books to support STEAM disciplines, and in-class or at-home learning activities that engage and motivate students.
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Intended Audience: Educators/Docentes
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Language: English
Stephanie (Steff) Buttell-Maxin is a Program Director with the California Global Education Project (CGEP). With her collective 30 years of experience in CGEP and the California Geographic Alliance, Stephanie is dedicated to supporting California PK-12 educators and students in their understanding of global issues and the skills necessary to meet those challenges. Stephanie earned a BA in Linguistics from UC San Diego and MA in Education from San Diego State University. She holds a California Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential with a Bilingual, Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) certification. Previously, Ms. Buttell-Maxin was a Spanish/English bilingual teacher in the National School District in National City, CA. During her 34-year career in the district, she taught second through sixth grades.
Mechanical Advantage
Workshop period / período #3 and #4
Audience: Upper Elementary/Middle/High School Students
Arya Bosworth
Anna Krolik
Jahnavi Sanaka
Arya Jain
Workshop: Mission to Mars is a robotic-based, STEM education program that uses custom built robots to provide a remote, hands-on coding experience.
Arya Bosworth, Anna Krolik, Jahnavi Sanaka, and Arya Jain are high schoolers who captain FIRST Tech Challenge team Mechanical Advantage.
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​​Language: English, Polish, Hindi
Pictures from the STEAM Academy and BiGI Summer Academies and videos of projects that the STEAM Superstars created using the engineering design process to advocate for taking action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, which include “No Poverty” “Zero Hunger”, “Good Health and Well-being,” “Quality Education,” “Gender Equality,” “Clean Water and Sanitation,” “Sustainable and Clean Energy,” “Decent Work and Economic Growth,” “Reduced Inequalities,” “Climate Action,” “Life Below Water,” “Life on Land,” will be shown throughout the day.
Black InGenius Initiative Summer Academy
The Black InGenius Initiative (BiGI) prepares students from 6th through 12th grade to successfully graduate from high school and be accepted at the University of San Diego or anywhere they choose to go to university.
STEAM Academy
The STEAM Summer Academy is a two week-long quality educational experience for middle and high school students. Students are engaged in hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Participants engage their creativity, enhance their approach to problem solving, and develop communication and critical thinking skills.
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sensory supports for all: embedding strategies in the classroom and/or informal learning environments
Janis Benton & Reyn Enriquez
Workshop period / período #3
Audience: Educators/Docentes, Early elementary school students/Estudiantes de primaria
Janis Benton is an advocate and supporter of children and adults with neurodivergent needs. She has been working with children in informal education settings since 2018 after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, San Marcos. She has her Autism Certification from The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. Janis is the founder of the "Sensory Friendly Sunday" programming at San Diego Children's Discovery Museum and an active board member of ARC of San Diego.
For learners with disabilities as well as neurotypical students, sensory supports can help to reduce sensory stimulation and increase participation and comfort. In this session, participants will learn a brief history of research on sensory needs. In addition, they will learn how to put this theory into practice by creating manipulatives and designing other accommodation activities that they can utilize immediately in their formal or informal learning environments.
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Reyn Enriquez is an energetic and passionate educator from San Diego, who grew up and spent most of her life living in Asia. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Southville International School & Colleges Las Pinas in 2015 and has taught in the Philippines and Japan. Reyn has worked in informal education for the last 10 years and currently oversees all of the camp and school workshop programs at San Diego Children's Discovery Museum as the Education Manager of School & Group programs.
Intended Audience: Educators /Docentes, Early elementary school students /Estudiantes de primaria
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Language: English
steam highlight
dr. beto vasquez
UC San Diego CREATE (Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment & Teaching Excellence)
Dr. Beto Vasquez & Salma Payan Campos
Workshop period / período #3 (en Español & in English)
Audience: Everyone!
Workshop: Learn about the biology of corn, the chemistry of masa and the physics of the tortilla's iconic shape while making (and eating) your own tortillas.
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Dr. Beto Vasquez is the youngest of four and was raised in Barrio Logan, a Chicano community in San Diego, California. Once a high school dropout, his faith and education helped him overcome homelessness, incarceration and addiction and change the trajectory of his life. Beto has an Associate’s degree from San Diego City College, a BS and MS in biology from UC San Diego and a doctorate from San Diego State University in educational leadership – where he researched STEM faculty mindsets. As a proud transfer student, a father of four and as a community leader, he leverages his personal and professional experience to inform the work he is involved with.
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Dr. Vasquez has worked in the non-profit sector, local government & higher education. He is currently employed with UC San Diego's Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment & Teaching Excellence (CREATE) where he spearheads P-20 efforts to increase STEM diversity, access, and engagement to disenfranchised communities through advocacy, representation, and the development of culturally-relevant lessons, events, and strategies.
UC San Diego CREATE (Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment & Teaching Excellence) is an equity-focused, community-facing research-practice-partnership center committed to supporting equitable educational opportunities for San Diego's students, K12 and beyond (K20). CREATE houses an innovative team of researchers, youth mentors, and professional development experts working with the region's K12 teachers. Every day, we ask ourselves this question: what could we do with others to help get all groups of the region's young people ready for college and fulfilling careers, contributing their ideas and energy to the future of San Diego and beyond?
We focus on supporting K-12 students and their teachers, families, schools, districts, and community organizations in the San Diego and Imperial Valley regions, while also supporting community college students and UC San Diego student success. We help UC San Diego faculty and students to design and execute funded programming to help meet key local K12 education needs. We also research and evaluate K12 and K20 education efforts so they #CREATEequity. Together, we are laser focused on increasing opportunity for low-income, first-generation students underrepresented in college. Through efforts to support more local youth to prepare for success at universities like ours, we help strengthen the college-going foundation for all across our region– and hone insights improving education overall.
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Language: In English & en Español
forces in action
Noelle Perinet, Raylene Rivera, and Julie Medina
Workshop period / período #2 and #3
Audience: 2nd-5th Graders
Explore Forces in Action through this interactive and exciting session! This hands-on program introduces students to friction, forces, and the laws of motion. After experimenting with parachutes, students design and build roller coasters to investigate the fundamental laws of physics.
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Noelle Perinet is an SDSU graduate with a passion for STEM. They have been in STEM education for 4 years and are excited to continue this journey of connecting audiences to science. With a focus in environmental science and sustainability, Noelle is excited to bring hands-on science activities to the communities in San Diego.
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As a classroom assistant at the Fleet Science Center, Raylene has been able to a bring exciting hands-on activities to a wide range of students through camps. Raylene was also previously an elementary school tutor and is looking forward to the chance to continue to get students excited to pursue STEM careers.
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​​Julie has been in the informal education field for 15 years teaching at Brevard Zoo and Disney's Animal Kingdom before coming to the Fleet Science Center. She loves to show audiences of all backgrounds how fun science is and to spark that excitement for STEM in learners of all ages.
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Language: English
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Dr. Yana Mohanty
Workshop period / período #4
Audience: Everyone!
Yana Mohanty, Ph.D., is the founder of Imathgination LLC, a company that creates objects celebrating the beauty, joy and intrigue of math. Yana’s career has spanned the fields of engineering, mathematics, education, and business. She earned her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UCLA, her M.S. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and her Ph.D. in Mathematics at UCSD in 2002. She taught mathematics for five years at UCSD, and for a year at Palomar College. She also teaches at the San Diego Math Circle. Geometiles®, which she invented, is used in schools, universities and math festivals around the country and internationally.
You have seen it in objects around you— hubcaps, fans, propellers, some flowers. It’s called rotational symmetry, and it can be used to describe important and complicated structures that occur in nature, art, and everyday life. All these objects can be associated with a left-or right-handed direction. This is called chirality, and the concept is both important for understanding STEM ideas and fun to play around with. In this hands-on workshop, we will examine various objects with rotational symmetry and build our own examples. Prepare to exercise your spatial visualization skills as well as your fine motor skills as you dive into the world of rotational symmetry and chirality.​
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Language: English
zombie bugs
Arietta Fleming-Davies, PHD
Workshop period / período #4
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle, and High School Students
Did you know that bugs get sick too? Participants will learn about a common local butterfly species, the passionflower plant it eats, and a deadly 'zombie' disease that infects its caterpillars. You will then use microscopes to look for virus in insect samples. Don't worry, this disease is only deadly for caterpillars, and is perfectly safe for humans! Participants will also find out about opportunities to act as citizen scientists and make observations of these butterflies in their homes or classrooms.
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Dr. Fleming-Davies is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of San Diego.​
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Language: English
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Hands-On Technology Education, LLC
Workshop period / período #1
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle, and High School Students
Mercedes Estrella Instructor, Hands-On Technology Education, LLC
An aspiring nanoengineer entering their final year at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Mercedes brings both knowledge and enthusiasm to our team. Mercedes combines their experience in the engineering field with a passion for teaching. Mercedes is committed to introducing students to technological creativity and career paths that align with their interests. Through engaging and interactive learning experiences, they aim to provide students with the skills and inspiration needed to explore the world of STEM.
Ashanti Woodard-Shell Program Manager & Instructor, Hands-On Technology Education, LLC
Ashanti is a Multiple Subject educator completing her Master's Degree at San Diego State University this August. She also works at Hands On Technology Education as a Program Manager and Instructor, where she is dedicated to fostering a love of learning and Science. Ashanti embraces the motto "Keep Learning," reflecting her passion for a continuous pursuit of knowledge.
Workshop: Welcome to the Fantastic Forensic Science Lab, where we use methods from all types of science to investigate problems, understand the evidence and solve mysteries!!! In this demo workshop, we will look into how Fingerprinting and Simulated Blood Analysis is used to help Forensic Scientists solve the case.
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Hand-On Technology has a mission to make Technology Education a fundamental skillset for youth via summer camps, workshops, professional development, and after-school programs. Hands-On Technology Education (HOTE) provides cutting-edge, relatable technology education to students nationwide via our Turn-Key Solutions that can fit any program need.
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Language: English
enjoying nature in the dark
Anchor STEM Scholars
Workshop period / período #4
en Español & in English
Audience: Everyone!
The workshop "Enjoying Nature in the Dark" stemmed from a visit the AnchorSTEM Scholars took to the Tijuana River Estuary. Guided by Ronald Peterson, who is visually impaired, the scholars learned to use their other senses throughout the visit to learn about the plants surrounding them. This trip inspired the workshop, highlighting the importance of utilizing all our senses to enhance our understanding of the world around us. By exploring how sensory experiences can complement scientific observations, the workshop demonstrates the value of a multisensory approach in the STEM field, fostering a deeper appreciation and comprehension of natural processes. We hope the visitors will explore nature with us while relying on their other senses, discovering the rich details of the environment without using their sight.
AnchorSTEM Scholars:
Emilio, Tanya, Oriana, Tina, Guadalupe, Amy, Daniela, Abriel, Liliana
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AnchorSTEM CoFacilitators:
Daniela & Dr Carla Penha Vasconcelos
​The presenters are all AnchorSTEM Scholars, part of a program dedicated to sustaining and strengthening partnerships with pre-college serving community organizations. AnchorSTEM supports the retention, graduation, and success of local "Rising Stars" in STEM fields by recognizing the importance of students' backgrounds and the assets they bring. The program emphasizes the collective effort of the community to advance each member and underscores the value of retaining and strengthening students' ties with their community and family to help them succeed in college. Entering first-year scholars receive up to four years of scholarship support and individualized mentoring from carefully selected STEM faculty who participate in a community of practice.
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Language: In English & en Español ​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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origami math documentary & folding
Anna Walsh, Deanna Kwan, Arnold Tubis, Annick O'Shaughnessy
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Audience: Everyone!
12:30-1PM: Preview a new 17-min documentary which explores the teaching of mathematics through origami, followed by a folding exercise based on the VisMO curriculum, which aims to enhance visuospatial skills (NSF grant #1920821).
​1-3PM: Origami enthusiasts of all ages and folding experiences are invited to participate in the mutual teaching of new and favorite old models. Materials will be available.
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Anna Walsh is an artist and educator who has worked for over a decade with collaborators at USD to provide students and teachers in the San Diego area with an innovative approach to mathematics through origami, utilizing the inherent creativity in both fields, this unique work engages visuospatial skills and brings beauty into the way math is taught and learned.
Model 1: Sitting Dog
Designer: Shoko Aoyagi
Materials: 1 square, kami, printer paper, scrapbook paper, prints are fun, duo not needed
> 8.5 inch paper gives a 4.25 inch tall dog
> 6 inch paper gives a 3 inch tall dog
Diagrams: freely available online, just search “Sitting Dog” and go to Ms. Aoyagi’s site.
Instructor: Deanna Kwan
Deanna Kwan has been practicing and teaching origami for over 25 years. She teaches origami at schools, libraries, parks, origami conferences, arts festivals, health centers, and at Paper Shapers Origami Club. She continues to teach origami all over the U.S. by way of Zoom. OrigamiUSA, the largest origami organization in the U.S., recognized Deanna as the 2021 Teacher of the Year.
Model 2: Four-pointed Star Brooch from a Square
Designer: Basic design by Arnold Tubis in July, 2024. Folding steps for star-point locking designed by Jane Rosemarin in July, 2024.
Materials: Start with a two-color square.
Diagrams: See The Fold (origamiusa.org)
Issue 83, July-August 2024 for similar folding steps for making a five-pointed star-brooch from a regular pentagon.
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Instructor: Arnold Tubis
Arnold Tubis is a retired physics professor who was a faculty member at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana from 1960 to 2000 (nine years as department head). He now resides in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Origami has been an avocation of his since the early 1960s, and his models have been exhibited in the USA, Japan, Europe, and Israel. He is the author or co-author of nine books on origami, and over 50 articles and papers in origami print and online media.
He is currently focused on designing models that require, at most, an intermediate folding level, and can be used to enrich the teaching and learning of geometry in middle school and high school. He is the co-coordinator of the Greater San Diego Origami Group in California, and a member of CFC. His origami website is tubisorigami.com.
Model 3: Bowl
Designer: Philip Shen
Materials: Recommend a 12-inch scrapbook paper ... heavier weight than kami
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Instructor: Annick O’Shaughnessy
Annick is a retired early elementary school teacher having taught French immersion for 35 years in the same school. She taught origami as part of her art program and also introductory models to children in an after-school program for many years. Annick was asked to teach at McGill University’s Explorations summer camp. She taught there for 17 years both introductory Origami daily for two-week sessions. Returning students required her to start up a more advanced class. Folding with peers was only at the Origami USA convention and on-line from the beginning of the pandemic till today.
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TEACHERS AS CATALYSTS:
ENGAGING MIDDLE SCHOOLERS IN CLIMATE ACTION THROUGH TEACHER RESEARCH EXPERIENCES
Camille Girard, Charla Hedberg, Dr. Bobbi Hansen,
Dr. Marissa Forbes, and Dr. Odesma Dalrymple
Workshop period / período #2
Audience: Educators/Docentes
Workshop: Join us for an inspiring and interactive session designed to highlight the powerful role of teachers in bringing climate change education to middle school students through their hands-on research experiences.
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Charla Hedberg & Camille Girard
Charla Hedberg and Camille Girard are dedicated middle school teachers with the San Diego & Imperial Valley Catholic Schools District and are part of the inaugural cohort of teacher-scholars in the USD Climate Changemaking Research Experience for Teachers program.
Odesma Dalrymple, PhD
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Odesma Dalrymple, PhD, is a proponent of education equity as a key mechanism for ensuring just social growth and development. As a trained engineering education scholar, Dr. Dalrymple’s professional and service work is focused on transforming engineering education and its public image; making it more inclusive, and socially connected. This mission is partially actualized through her research that seeks to identify, develop and evaluate tools, techniques and pathways that can facilitate deep learning and sustained interest in engineering and other STEAM fields, particularly for populations that have been historically under-represented in the STEM workforce in the United States.
Dr. Bobbi Hansen
Dr. Bobbi Hansen teaches courses in Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics, Science, and History-Social Science, focusing on best practice instructional strategies. She is currently a co-investigator for a California grant aimed at increasing student academic achievement by building sustainable professional development for teachers in two Southern California urban school districts. Her research includes studying service learning integration into teacher education and the GLOBE science program, funded by grants from UC Berkeley and the National Corporation for Community Service. Dr. Hansen has presented at the Global Summit on Science and Science Education and in Scotland on Problem-based Learning. Additionally, she was part of an international team of educators invited to develop a new school system in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Marissa Forbes, PhD
Dr. Marissa Forbes is an assistant professor in mechanical engineering at the University of San Diego. She is co-creator and co-leader of the Water Justice Exchange, a cross-campus, inter-community initiative fostering synergistic research, teaching and solutions for water challenges in the San Diego/Tijuana region. Dr. Forbes earned her MS and PhD from the University of Colorado Boulder in Civil (environmental) Engineering, and conducts research that aims to advance water justice and sustainability. She also conducts socio-technical engineering education research.
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outdoor leadership
Ronnie Cravens & Austin Strahm
Workshop period / período #1
Audience: Everyone
Handball Workshop: ​​​Through this team sport, participants will expand their collaboration, communication, and strategic skills while engaging in outdoor movement. These capacities are integral to STEM collaborative efforts and leadership qualities. Physical activity also playing a critical role for both mental and physical health.
Ronnie Cravens Jr. is a Deans Fellowship PhD candidate specializing in Educational Leadership for Innovation and Social Justice at the University of San Diego. He is profoundly committed to addressing educational inequity and promoting student success, particularly among marginalized populations.​
Ronnie holds a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with research focusing on the schooling experiences of African American high school students and the achievement gap. His mixed methods study utilized a socio-ecological framework to examine African American students' perceptions of school belonging and the factors influencing their academic performance. This research identified strategies to enhance students' sense
of belonging and predictors of academic success, earning commendation for honors. In addition to his focus on educational equity, Ronnie’s research interests include international and cross-cultural leadership. His undergraduate background in International Business, with an emphasis in Italian and Western Europe, along with global study experiences in Milan, Italy, and Madrid, Spain, enriches his perspective on leadership.
Ronnie was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. His personal commitment to educational equity stems from his experiences as a first-generation college student as a recipient of the Gates Millenium Scholarship and growing up in a low-income single-parent household and witnessing the impact of the school-to-prison pipeline on his community. Through leadership roles such as serving as a Pod Leader for the Black Ingenious Initiative (BiGI) and STEAM Academy, the Vice President of University Affairs for San Diego State's Associated Students and coaching secondary education athletics, Ronnie has developed invaluable skills in advocacy, communication, and leadership.
As a PhD candidate, Ronnie aspires to become an educational leader who exemplifies the role-model effect, highlighting the importance of representation in educational leadership. His research aims to create equitable, inclusive, and welcoming educational environments that foster belonging and bridge the gaps in achievement and opportunity.
Austin Strahm is an incoming Freshman at the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Boston, having recently graduated high school as Valedictorian of the School for Entrepreneurship and Technology Class of 2024. Throughout his high school career, he spent much of his time founding and leading his school's first student senate, a cryptography club, an SAT prep club, and a college planning club. Additionally, Austin was captain of his high school cross-country and track & field teams, played club soccer, and continues to play table tennis casually. Now, building upon his advanced math and physics background from San Diego Mesa College and a two-year exploration of nuclear technology, Austin is working to become a nuclear engineer to help drive the revival of the nuclear power industry.
Family Contraptionering Challenge: Design, Build and Tell Your Story
Jada Johnson, Kidus Kudumu-Clavell and Dr. Odesma Dalrymple
Workshop period / período #1
Audience: Everyone!
Workshop: Join us for a fun and imaginative workshop where families work together to build amazing 3-step chain-reaction contraptions. Let your imagination soar as you weave a captivating story around your creation, transforming everyday materials into a whimsical narrative engine. This session combines creative thinking, engineering skills, and storytelling in a fun-filled adventure, perfect for all ages.
Odesma Dalrymple, PhD
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Odesma Dalrymple, PhD, is a proponent of education equity as a key mechanism for ensuring just social growth and development. As a trained engineering education scholar, Dr. Dalrymple’s professional and service work is focused on transforming engineering education and its public image; making it more inclusive, and socially connected. This mission is partially actualized through her research that seeks to identify, develop and evaluate tools, techniques and pathways that can facilitate deep learning and sustained interest in engineering and other STEAM fields, particularly for populations that have been historically under-represented in the STEM workforce in the United States.
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Jada Johnson
My name is Jada, and I am a current undergraduate at the University of San Diego studying Integrated Engineering with a concentration of sustainability. I am a current pod leader for STEAM Academy and BiGI. I enjoy rollerskating, playing bass, and traveling to new places!
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Language: English
interactive stations
10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Come visit these featured stations!
wabisabiweaving
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WabiSabiWeaving invites you to stop by and learn to weave! We will have several small looms available for all to try.
Stop by, and we'll show you how to use your inner creative power to create beautiful fiber art with yarn, on a loom!
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No experience necessary.
The preuss school ucsd
The Preuss School UC San Diego is an award-winning, unique charter middle and high school for low income students who strive to become the first in their families to graduate from a four-year college or university.
mathical award-winning books
Explore Award-Winning MATHICAL Books! Discover the magic of math through stories that celebrate diversity and inclusion! Join us to explore the MATHICAL Award-winning books from 2023 and 2024. These engaging books incorporate fascinating mathematical concepts and feature diverse characters that students can relate to. Perfect for curious readers and math enthusiasts, these books make learning math fun and accessible for everyone. Come and find your new favorite read!
raffle prizes
40 STEM Kits
donated by Clarity Design
6 Solar System Kits
6 Geosmart
Magnetic Kits
6 Motors &
Generators Kits
6 Gravity Maze Games
6 STEM Kits
5 Crystal Growing Lab Kits
5 Chemistry Sets
UN Sustainable Development
Goals Tiles: Set of 17 Mini-Posters, donated by California Global Education Project
Geometiles Mini Set 3
donated by Geometiles
Drawing set:
pencils, color pencils, and paper
donated by Biology Through Art
3 Maker Rok Gadgets
donated by Kidspark
USD Blanket donated by
Microscope Kit
donated by The Preuss School UCSD
2 Books donated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Small Hand Loom and Yarn
donated by Suzanne Person
12 KidzRobotix Table Top Robots
donated by Engineering Exchange for Social Justice
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2023 and 2024 Mathical Book Prize winners for ages 2-18.
Includes bilingual english/español books.
donated by Mathical Book Prize
The Mathical Book Prize recognizes math-inspiring literature for kids ages 2-18. Prize-winning books are selected by a committee of teachers, librarians, mathematicians, and others.
Each year’s selections join a growing list of stories ranging from picture books and graphic novels to chapter books and young adult literature.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS & DONORS
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WabiSabiWeaving
Greater San Diego Origami
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