STEAM
University of San Diego presents:
Youth and Community
Conference
2023
Educators
Parents
Español
English
All Ages
3rd Grade+
Middle School+
High School+
workshop session 1
10:00 am - 11:00 am PDT
2023 Presenters & sessions
Intended Audience Key :
THE SCIENCE OF TORTILLAS
LA CIENCIA DE LAS TORTILLAS
STEM Outreach Ambassador
Plus
Imaan Sahid
Cal State San Marcos undergraduate
Amani Fulton
High school intern, OFFERS program
Debra Moini, intern, OFFERS program
The “Science of Tortillas” allows students to explore the chemistry and physics behind the food. We demonstrate chemistry by reacting the ground maize with calcium oxide to give off the starch needed to make the dough or “masa”. Then, using physics principles, we describe how the tortilla obtains its shape using mechanical instruments and different forces and energy. Lastly, both chemistry and physics come together when we elaborate on how the cooking process takes place. This allows students from backgrounds and cultures that eat tortillas to see the science behind their creation.
CREATE at UC San Diego
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.
Brown bag innovation
Fleet Science Center
Participants will practice the engineering design process along with teamwork and empathy through this fun and engaging engineering challenge.
Using cards that generate ideas for creative designs that will help different people and animals in various difficult scenarios, participants will build and test their
unique designs.
Assistant Director of Education
Fleet Science Center
BiGI SUMMER ACADEMY and STEAM ACADEMY CREATION SHOWCASE
Students from the BiGI Summer Academy, led by Greater than Tech, and the STEAM Academy present the projects they 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,” and “Life on Land.”
Black InGenius Initiative Summer Academy
STEAM 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.
The STEAM Team 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.
PROTOTYPING FOR
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Participants design and build a prototype of their solution to a local or global problem focusing on mental health, using playdough, clay, and other materials. They will then use a 360° panorama grid to convert their physical prototype to a low-fidelity virtual reality prototype. Participants will consider the possibilities of VR technology to address social issues and to think innovatively to create meaningful and positive change in the world.
Materials Needed to Join Virtually: Playdough, clay, coloring pencils, markers, cardboard, etc., and a phone, computer or tablet.
Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education
The Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education is a non-profit Research and Development institute powering inclusive innovation and a leader in education. Affiliated with the School of Leadership & Education Sciences at the University of San Diego, we engage in pioneering research and evaluation, develop innovative curricula and technologies and support professional learning grounded in the learning sciences.
Associate Director of EdTech and Innovation Impact
Community Engagement Coordinator
Learning Experiences and Technology Coordinator
KAINGA MUSIC STEEL PAN WORKSHOp
Kainga Music
Want to join a transformative experience through music? Learn to play a song on the steel pan (steel drum) - a beautiful sounding instrument from Trinidad & Tobago! No music experience is needed, and if you are a person that says you don't have rhythm, this is your chance to try out music in a fun and encouraging way with enthusiastic music instructors! We will create, unite, and build through music together! Come join the fun!
Founder and Executive Director, Kainga Music
STEAM Highlight
Novien Yarber - Director, Leadership Development at The Nonprofit Institute
workshop session 2
11:15 pm - 12:15 pm PDT
CARING FOR YOUR ORGANS
Pathologist
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.
Dr. Lin received her BS from UC San Diego, and then entered the Medical Scientist Training Program at Northwestern University. In 2000, she completed her PhD in the laboratory of Dr. Robert A. Lamb studying the V protein of the paramyxovirus simian virus 5. She completed her MD in 2002. She then completed her pathology residency (AP and CP) at UC San Diego Medical Center where she was chief resident in 2004-2005, and then also completed fellowships in surgical pathology in 2005-2006 and placental pathology in 2006-2007.
Biography
Pathologists in Training: Dr. Mitchell Zhao, Dr. Josh Maciejewski, Dr. Kevin D Chen, Dr. Wangpan Shi, Dr. Rokia Sakr
Undergraduate student supporters:
Kathy
Marie
Mumtaaz
Jace
Shukriya
CARING FOR YOUR ORGANS
Pathologist
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.
Dr. Lin received her BS from UC San Diego, and then entered the Medical Scientist Training Program at Northwestern University. In 2000, she completed her PhD in the laboratory of Dr. Robert A. Lamb studying the V protein of the paramyxovirus simian virus 5. She completed her MD in 2002. She then completed her pathology residency (AP and CP) at UC San Diego Medical Center where she was chief resident in 2004-2005, and then also completed fellowships in surgical pathology in 2005-2006 and placental pathology in 2006-2007.
Biography
Pathologists in Training: Dr. Mitchell Zhao, Dr. Josh Maciejewski, Dr. Kevin D Chen, Dr. Wangpan Shi, Dr. Rokia Sakr
Undergraduate student supporters:
Kathy
Marie
Mumtaaz
Jace
Shukriya
Energy Lab Day!
Project Coordinator
Energy is Everything Fellow
Biographies
Join the Energy is Everything team for an energetic learning workshop! Empower your child to be an environmental steward by applying the Student Energy ACTIONS and putting on their engineering hats to design a solar circuit. Participants will learn about circuitry, solar energy, and energy conservation. Space is limited!
Daniel Yim is an Energy is Everything Fellow with The Energy Coalition (TEC) based out of their San Diego office. Daniel supports TEC’s education program by developing curriculum and coordinating outreach efforts. Prior to joining TEC, Daniel worked as a research assistant for the San Francisco National Estuarine Research Reserve. Daniel received a B.S. in Marine and Coastal Science from the University of California, Davis, and a M.S. in Interdisciplinary Marine and Estuarine Science from San Francisco State University. When Daniel’s not working, he likes to read fantasy novels, cook, and care for his guinea pigs.
Maddi Vilas is a Project Coordinator with The Energy Coalition (TEC), a non-profit focused on building blocks for the new energy economy to make clean energy affordable and accessible to everyone. She supports the Education & Workforce Development Team by overseeing lesson supply distribution for the Energy is Everything program. In addition, she serves as a Regional Supervisor for the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship program. Prior to joining TEC, Maddi’s experience includes working in Urban Forestry as well as in Environmental Education. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz. "
THE SCIENCE OF Music
Scientist/Artist
Our program engages children in science through the connections with music. In this workshop, we will use a spectrogram, which is a tool that allows scientists to analyze sound. With the spectrogram we will measure the sound frequency of beakers with water, and use different amounts of water to tune the beakers to make musical instruments. It is fun. If you are a teacher, you will be able to easily adapt this activity for your classroom.
Biography
Victor Minces is a sound artist, a neuroscientist of music, and the creator of Listening to Waves, a program that engages children in science through the connections with music. In this workshop, you will get to play with fantastic sound objects from Dr. Minces' collection, learn about the science of sound and vibrations, and participate in a collective music-making experience. If you are a teacher, you will be able to bring some of these experiences to your classroom. See: www.listeningtowaves.com/media for more information about the program.
UNPACKING STEM
CEO and President of
the STEM Education, Curriculum and Development and Global STEM Division
Biographies
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!
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.
CEO and President of the STEM Counseling, Workforce Development and STEM Engagement Division
MINECRAFT BASICS AND EXPLORATION
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!
Project eSPAC3 (pronounced eh-SPACE)
Project eSPAC3 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.
Project eSPAC3 Manager, Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education
ORIGAMI: THE BEAUTY & MAGIC OF PAPER FOLDING
Origami is a fun, creative, surprising, and challenging craft. Test your listening, fine motor, sequencing, and spatial perception
skills. Expand your artistic horizons while experiencing the magic of turning paper into an amazing work of art. I will teach "Hat-based Box
with Divider" by Laura Kruskal. The origami instruction will include a math lesson.
Materials Needed to Join Virtually
Participants will need 3 sheets of printer paper. Three different colors would be nice. Models made from white paper can be colored after the session.
Origami Artist
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THE SCIENCE OF TORTILLAS
LA CIENCIA DE LAS TORTILLAS
STEM Outreach Ambassador
The “Science of Tortillas” allows students to explore the chemistry and physics behind the food. We demonstrate chemistry by reacting the ground maize with calcium oxide to give off the starch needed to make the dough or “masa”. Then, using physics principles, we describe how the tortilla obtains its shape using mechanical instruments and different forces and energy. Lastly, both chemistry and physics come together when we elaborate on how the cooking process takes place. This allows students from backgrounds and cultures that eat tortillas to see the science behind their creation.
CREATE at UC San Diego
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.
STEAM Highlight
Jasmine leflore - Cofounder of greater than tech
workshop session 3
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
DNA Extraction from Wheat Germ
Neuroscientist, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Meet a scientist and learn about cells and DNA. After a brief presentation, participants will have the opportunity to extract DNA from wheat germ.
Biography
Dr. Melissa Hernandez Kelley is a Neuroscientist at the Salk Institute studying neuronal function and signaling-- how neurons communicate with each other in healthy and diseased states. Using cutting edge genetic approaches, her research transforms human skin cell samples into neurons that are grown in a dish through direct cellular reprogramming. This allows the study of genes involved in brain aging and neurological disease without ever having to access human brain tissue.
Dr. Hernandez Kelley is first generation Mexican-American and the first person in her family to go to college so she understands many of the hurdles that students face while in higher education. She will briefly review her path to becoming an academic researcher, give an overview of her current research projects, and then lead a hands on experiment where attendees will learn to extract DNA from wheat germ.
Making Paint from Seeds
Professor, National University
Homemade paint from native seeds and commercial nuts. Non-toxic and easily done with kids. Get your hands dirty and colorful!
Biography
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.
Math to art
A computer or tablet (this product does not work on a phone).
Biography
Programmer of MathArt.us
Owner of Art by Coloring
Paul Gary Phillips is a computer graphic artist who has learned to program to make tools to facilitate his computer art which uses mathematical and randomize functions to manipulate simple shapes into regular and unusual patterns. Currently the tools he programmed and uses are provided for anyone to use who want to play in a world of math based art.
MathArt.us is a platform where you can create interesting and unusual patterns through an intuitive interface, and discover the language of computer graphics, much about the angles in a circle, numbers to make geometric shapes and much much more.
Create your own beautiful art! MathArt.us is a platform where you can create interesting and unusual patterns through an intuitive interface, and discover the language of computer graphics, much about the angles in a circle, numbers to make geometric shapes and much much more.
Zombie bugs
Associate Professor of Biology, USD
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.
With:
Alex Beltran, Neurobiology major, UC Davis
Ngolela Marie Bukasa, Biology major, USD
Brianna Leveille, Biology major, USD
Damian Osuna, Biology major, USD
Althea Roque, senior, Mater Dei High School
Felix Turrubiartes, Research assistant and lab manager, USD
workshop session 4
1:45 pm - 2:45 pm
Robots DIY: Hechos con materiales reciclados
En este taller, los adolescentes o adultos aprenderán sobre los principios básicos de la robótica y la ingeniería mientras trabajan en equipo para diseñar y construir robots utilizando materiales reciclados y de bajo costo. Los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de explorar la electrónica básica, la programación y la mecánica mientras trabajan juntos para crear un robot único y funcional. Al final del taller, los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de presentar sus robots y demostrar cómo funcionan.
Robo Team
Materiales de construcción reciclados: cartón, botellas de plástico, tubos de papel higiénico, cajas, latas, etc.
Herramientas de corte: tijeras, cúter, sierra de mano, etc.
Materiales de unión: cinta adhesiva, pegamento, bridas, etc.
Componentes electrónicos básicos: motores, baterías, cables, interruptores, LED
Biografia
Belén, es una entusiasta de la educación STEM, la transmisión del conocimiento, la democratización de la información y la comunicación. Trabaja como desarrolladora de software en Ekumen y es docente de escuela secundaria técnica, de electrónica,robótica y programación. Voluntaria de varias comunidades de mujeres en tecnología, ayudó a co-fundar RoboTeam,una iniciativa con el propósito de incentivar las vocaciones científico-tecnológicas en niños, niñas y adolescentes a través de talleres gratuitos donde experimentan y aprenden sobre disciplinas STEM,también participó en Chicas en Tecnología (CET),donde se forma intensivamente a adolescentes en tecnología, desarrollando apps con impacto social y cerrando las brechas de género. Además es estudiante de Ingeniería Electrónica de la Universidad Tecnológica y programación.
THEATRE FOR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Based on Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed, participants will work together as actors and directors to create real-life practices towards social justice and environmental sustainability.
Program Director at the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education
KAINGA MUSIC STEEL PAN WORKSHOp
Kainga Music
Want to join a transformative experience through music? Learn to play a song on the steel pan (steel drum) - a beautiful sounding instrument from Trinidad & Tobago! No music experience is needed, and if you are a person that says you don't have rhythm, this is your chance to try out music in a fun and encouraging way with enthusiastic music instructors! We will create, unite, and build through music together! Come join the fun!
Founder and Executive Director, Kainga Music
Biography
Principal Owner, Imathigination LLC
Yana Mohanty is the founder of Imathgination LLC, whose award-winning product Geometiles has gained popularity nationwide in schools, after-school programs, universities, and math festivals. Having started her career in engineering before earning a Ph.D. in mathematics from UCSD, Yana loves sharing her diverse approach to STEM with students and teachers.
Imathgination LLC is a small San Diego based company whose mission is to communicate the beauty of math through tactile objects. We sell Geometiles, a set of interlocking tiles for building and exploring, as well as hand made mathematical art items.
In this hands-on, interactive workshop, participants will use Geometiles (interlocking tiles) to build a model of a box they would like to send to someone as a care package. Participants will be challenged to imagine what they might put into this imaginary box—a favorite food, a bottle of lotion, a toy—and then model those item(s) with Geometiles, as well as make sure they fit inside the box. This workshop will challenge participants to exercise their imagination, quantitative skills and spatial reasoning.
Gift Boxes with Geometiles
Back to School with Travis Manion Foundation
Coordinator, West Region
Manager, West Region
Back to School with Travis Manion Foundation:
In collaboration with the University of San Diego and Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education, please join us for a fun
afternoon of character building activities with our mentors and receive a backpack filled with school supplies to get you ready to return for the new school year! This event has space for 50 middle and high school students to participate, registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis at registration.
Travis Manion Foundation, Character and Leadership Development Through Experience
Students will explore and discuss their personal experiences with teamwork and leadership using small group discussions and hands on activities. Mentors will use positive psychology theories to help students get ready to tackle the upcoming school year. Upon completion of this workshop, students will receive a backpack and school supplies.
10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Come visit these featured stations!
INTERACTIVE STATIONS
Laguna Beach Unified School District
Laguna Beach Unified School District
STEAM Highlight
dr. Brittany wheeler -
Cofounder of greater than tech
Keynote Speaker, Raffle Results, and Closing Words
Keynote SpeakerS
Jasmine LeFlore and Dr. Brittany Wheeler
co-founders of Greater Than Tech
Biographies
Jasmine LeFlore, MSE, MBA is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Greater Than Tech. She is responsible for the growth and direction of Greater Than Tech and serves as a role model to students who have little to no technology education or exposure. LeFlore spearheads programs that introduces students to key engineering and business concepts designed to increase their self-efficacy and pave a path for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
LeFlore grew up in Flint, MI and watched planes take off and land every day from a nearby airport, sparking her initial interest in aerospace studies. She later earned a BSE in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, an MSE in Interdisciplinary Engineering (with a Systems Engineering Concentration) from Purdue University, and an MBA from Indiana University.
In addition to her work as Co-founder and Executive Director of Greater Than Tech, LeFlore is an Advanced Technology Solutions Lead at Collins Aerospace. As a self-proclaimed change agent and champion for diversity in STEM workplaces and classrooms, LeFlore believes she can inspire change and uplift others through her spirit and ability to move things forward. Determined to impact change, she has also been instrumental in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout her work as Vice Chair of the African American Enterprise Board for Collins Aerospace.
LeFlore has been recognized as San Diego Magazine’s 2022 Woman Builder of the Year, one of San Diego Business Journal’s Top 50 Influential Women in Technology and received the San Diego County’s Engineering Council 2022 Outstanding Engineering Service Award, the 2021 Black Engineer of the Year Science Spectrum Award, and the 2020 Women of Color STEM Community Service in Industry Award.
Rocket Scientist & Co-founder of Greater Than Tech
Greater Than Tech is a San Diego-based non-profit organization that brings immersive STEM and business education programs to young girls and students in underserved communities.
Dr. Brittany Wheeler is the Co-founder and Director of Education at Greater Than Tech. In her role as Director of Education, Dr. Wheeler is responsible for hosting and planning workshops and development and training events that introduce girls to emerging technologies to give them the confidence and skills they need to further pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Dr. Wheeler also serves as a role model for young women of color interested in pursuing STEM education and careers. In addition to her role at Greater Than Tech, she works as a Senior Program Operations Manager at Collins Aerospace.
Dr. Wheeler grew up in Los Angeles, CA with the aspiration to break societal barriers for young African American women. She earned her Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a focus in Aerospace, an MBA from the University of Redlands, and a Doctorate in Engineering Management from George Washington University. Dr. Wheeler is determined to make an impact on the next generation “by making the uncommon common” as an African American woman and tech leader. In doing so, she received the 2021 Dave Barclay Affirmative Action BEYA Award and is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers.
Rocket Scientist & Co-founder of Greater Than Tech
2 Family sets of
4 tickets to the fleet science center
Donated by the
Fleet Science Center
Raffles and Prizes
Geometiles
Donated by Imagthgination LLC
Donated by
Biology through Art National University
Art supplies
Donated by Clarity Design
28 STEM Kits
Donated by Qualcomm
3 Bags of Gifts
Donated by Salk Institute
2 Salk Docent-led
tour tickets
Donated by
LKW STEM Foundation
Donated by
County of San Diego
www.LiveWellSD.org
virtual reality headset
A board game
3 sets: Bento box,
Re-usable utensils,
Canvas tote bag,
Small hoodie, and
Portable camping cup
Donated by
Energy is Everything
20 sets of Maker RokBlocks
Donated by Kid Spark
Heading 6
Special Thanks to Our Contributors and Sponsors
UC San Diego Medical Center
Qualcomm
Listening to Waves, UCSD
Biology through Art,
San Diego City College
Deanna Kwan
USD STEAM Academy
Learning Knowledge Worldwide STEM Foundation
and all our volunteers!
BLACK INGENIUS
INITIATIVE
ACADEMY
STEAM
TEAM ACADEMY
