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This post and podcast episode contain some adult language. (Photo courtesy of Robin Moulder, and used with permission.) "I posit that you should just do it all," says 3lb XR and 3lb Games Founder and CEO Robin Moulder. She's speaking from experience. In addition to being a software engineer, entrepreneur and XR innovator, Robin is, quite literally, a rock star. As a founder of the 1990s alternative-rock band Jack Off Jill, she played bass, toured with her band and recorded albums--while working full-time in software and management. And she found both careers fun and creatively fulfilling, as they involved her passions: music and technology. "(It's) switching my brain to another mode," Robin says of her music. Exploring the different areas, she explains, "lit up" all the areas of her brain. New creative applications Today, Robin combines those two areas of expertise through her work in XR. Earlier this year, her 3lb XR accelerator debuted a series of gamified virtual-reality t

(Photograph courtesy of Harry Who, and used with permission of Loughlin Michaels Group.) Storytelling is at the heart of Donna Loughlin's profession. As Founder and President of San Jose-based public relations agency LMGPR, Donna works with visionaries on a daily basis. Her award-winning PR firm specializes in publicizing creators of disruptive technology--both for consumers and business-to-business. And for Donna, it all starts with the "why" of their creations. With a background in journalism and expertise in both aviation and high-performance racing, Donna explores the "why" aspects of innovation. Insatiably curious about the world around her, she enjoys investigating the reasons behind cutting-edge technology--and sharing these stories, both through LMGPR and on her podcast, Before It Happened. Donna talked about her background, offered a look at some of the innovations she's found most interesting and shared her thoughts on keeping humanity at the heart of technology. On this e

(Royalty-free images from Pixabay.) "It's about who you are, where you want to go, and we'll give you a pathway," says Dr. Prasad Ram, Founder and CEO of education research and technology nonprofit Gooru. But the journey about which he is speaking is more important than any geographical one. With his team, Pram, as he prefers to be called, has developed Gooru Navigator--a GPS for learning! As a thought leader in educational technology, Pram is passionate about using his expertise to ensure equitable access to education. Gooru, which he created in 2011, focuses on providing technology that helps students (in school and lifelong) achieve their goals. Consequently, Gooru Navigator is available, free, to students and educators. Unlike traditional school systems, the Gooru Navigator begins with an assessment of the individual student's circumstances. Where is that person, in relation to what they want to accomplish, on their learning journey? (Royalty-free image by Nikolay Georgiev from

Multiple award-winning computer science education innovator Mark Suter explains how to get started creating with virtual reality as he discusses his experiences guiding students in designing real-world applications.

(Photo ©XRAI, and used with permission.) What if life had captions--so that someone who's hard of hearing didn't have to miss anything? For XRAI Glass CEO Dan Scarfe and his team, that's no longer a theoretical question. Watching a beloved family member at a family Christmas gathering, Dan was struck with an inspiration. And the end result: his London-based software brand's new technology, which converts audio into subtitles! (Photo ©XRAI, and used with permission.) "XRAI", Dan says, stands for "extended reality artificial intelligence." The AR software operates through an Android phone, transmitting to a pair of NREAL Air glasses, on which the wearer can then see captions in real time. Best of all, if the wearer is hard of hearing, they don't have to look directly at the speaker to understand their speech. They can be looking away or engaged in another activity while following the conversation. The technology also allows the smart-glasses wearer to follow other audio sources, such

(Photograph courtesy of Tracey Croggon, and used with permission.) Science Magician Dr. Matt Pritchard deals in wonder. And he also deals in education. Dr. Pritchard, or Matt, as he prefers to be called, performs science magic shows at local schools, universities and organizations. Many of his tricks are original. They're also designed to have his audience members asking, "How did you do that?" Matt enjoys the question--and the discussions that ensue. His goal, as both a scientist (with a PhD. in experimental atomic physics!) and a professional magician, is to inspire, inform and boost critical thinking skills. He also offers a creativity-boosting challenge, with his work. "Binge-watch some of my videos," he suggests, " And just sit there and go, 'How would I do this?'" Matt, who is both an author and a speaker, hosts a podcast, "Words on Wonder". He also has a TED talk, "The Quantum State of Wonder", in which he demonstrates a couple of his tricks which combine, as he says,

California STEAM Symposium is celebrating a landmark anniversary! And if you're in the Anaheim area, October 1-2, you're cordially invited to come celebrate--and learn-- with them. That's the weekend that the annual California STEAM Symposium will once again be an in-person event. If past experience is any indication, this is going to be, once again, "epic". Components of empowerment (California STEAM Symposium maker space, Anaheim, 2019.) Co-hosted by nonprofit Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and the California Department of Education, the California STEAM Symposium explores exciting and creative ways of empowering students through science, technology, engineering, art and math. Interactivity is the keyword, as educators conduct sessions on maker skills, robotics, immersive technology and numerous other innovative approaches that will get students learning, hands-on, in ways they'll remember--and apply to rea

(Photography by Tom Bonner, courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.) "We know what to do," says Aquarium of the Pacific President and CEO Dr. Peter Kareiva. He's talking about the ways communities can collaborate on combating climate change. And those activities will be the focus of a brand-new course which the Aquarium is offering, this autumn, in partnership with Orange Coast College. Entitled "Ocean Conservation and Community Science", the course is geared towards high-school students. Class sessions will happen at the Aquarium, two nights a week, starting August 30th, according to the Aquarium's website. The course is free to high-school students, who will receive three units of college credit. Labs and optional field trips will accompany the class sessions. A mission beyond the classroom (Photograph by Cassandra Davis, courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.) More importantly, though, the curriculum will provide discourse with conservation specialists and hands-on activities.

This post and podcast are not, in any way, shape or form, affiliated with, nor endorsed by, NASA. (Photo courtesy of NASA, and used with permission.) In a matter of weeks, NASA's Artemis I will mark a new beginning in space exploration. This historic flight is the first phase of the Artemis program's goal: returning humans to the Moon. Matt Wittal is Mission Design and Planetary Science at NASA. As he explained in our 2019 interview, unmanned Artemis I is the first of three scheduled missions in the Artemis program. The world's most powerful rocket, the SLS (Space Launch System), will launch the spacecraft, Orion. Initially, Orion will orbit the Earth. Then, off to the moon--and it its lunar orbit, Orion will travel further than any previous spacecraft. The mission objectives, as explained on NASA's website: to demonstrate Orion’s systems in a spaceflight environment; and to ensure a safe re-entry, descent, splashdown, and recovery prior to Artemis II, which will be the first f

"I want to serve millions of learners worldwide," says STEMuli Founder/CEO Taylor Shead. And her Dallas-based educational technology enterprise is well on the way to doing exactly that. As creators of the first game-based learning metaverse in the United States, STEMuli Studios serves high-school students through hands-on virtual learning experiences. The students are having fun and being creative while learning. And best of all, the program connects them to career opportunities in the lucrative STEM field. "What success looks like, is students preparing for the job of their dreams," Taylor explains. "'Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not.'" So, how does this work? Students create their avatars as they enter a colorful virtual world. Then they can travel around, exploring, until it's time for class. Teachers then summon them into the virtual classroom, for lessons. Meanwhile, part of the virtual experience is interaction with industry partners, in preparation for fut

"This changes everything," was educator, author and speaker Jaime Donally's response to her own first augmented-reality experience. And today, she's guiding fellow educators in the implementation and use of immersive technology--AR, VR and MR--in the classroom. As founder of ARVRinEDU®, Jaime offers all kinds of free resources, online, which can be easily implemented into classroom curricula. Her blog sparks the imagination with product information and hands-on projects. Features like "31 Days of ARVRinEDU" direct educators to free training, lesson ideas and projects. But had Jaime known her future career path, during her own school days, she might have been surprised. A change of perspective Reading, she says, was her nemesis in school. In her book The Immersive Classroom, she shares that she had never completely read a book, until her last year of high school. That would change. A teacher introduced the "fun" element, customizing the reading experience to Jaime's interests. Jai

A special-edition Over Coffee®podcast, featuring one of our top episodes of 2022! "It's quite fun, to be honest," says WasteShark creator Richard Hardiman. He's talking about watching his autonomous drone clean plastic from bodies of water--not unlike a popular game where the main character "eats" enemies. And with climate change at the forefront of numerous conversations today, Richard, who is the founder and CEO of Netherlands-base RanMarine Technology, has been creating a series of innovations to help heal the planet. When we first spoke in January 2022, Richard and his team had just exhibited the WasteShark at CES® 2022, in Las Vegas. The WasteShark wowed attendees with its capabilities to act like a "vacuum", clearing floating pollution from lakes, harbors, ponds and waterways. WasteShark also won a CES® Innovation Award. But the truly exciting news: this particular robot is just the beginning for RanMarine Technology.Richard previewed the company's additional innovations--inclu

Who knew that Leonardo da Vinci designed robots? Or scuba gear, machines of war and even a workable bicycle--about 300 years before bikes became popular? These are just a few of the discoveries from the "Da Vinci Machines and Robotics" summer traveling exhibition, currently on display at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. "This exhibit knocks it out of the park," says LVNHM Co-Executive Director Kate Porter. "We're seeing technology that doesn't re-emerge for centuries." Gleaming wood, meticulously-crafted shapes created by the Artisans of Florence from da Vinci's original designs, or codices, and above all, ideas several centuries ahead of his time, greet visitors to the exhibit. "Da Vinci Machines and Robotics" is the largest da Vinci traveling invention exhibition in the world, including more than 60 pieces. All, Kate says, are authentically crafted, from materials that would have been available in da Vinci's time. Interestingly, art historians say that less than 20 surviving

Future tech strategist Dr. Mark van Rijmenam discusses the path to an open metaverse as outlined in his latest book, "Step Into the Metaverse: How the Immersive Internet Will Unlock a Trillion-Dollar Social Economy".

A look at the technology and experiences behind growing live crops aboard the ISS, courtesy of NASA Project Scientists Dr. Gioia Massa and Matt Romeyn.

UNLV Engineering brings cutting-edge technology to local classrooms for hands-on learning--free! But their "Tech Trekker" program's reach extends far beyond their local ares.

(Photo by Treion Films, event videographer, courtesy of Howard Robinson, and used with permission.) Opening up the future is what new virtual -reality-based educational program We Are VR Leaders is all about. We Are VR Leaders Founder Howard Robinson created the program to engage students and increase retention. Most importantly, though, We Are VR Leaders provides underserved students with access to a wider variety of learning opportunities, Howard, who is an educator, technologist and thought leader, is also the Founder and President of Gaming for Greatness. For Howard, his leadership journey began during his own academic career. As one of the top students in his South Side Chicago high school, he frequently guided classmates in their studies. And during his college career, one of his teaching positions was as a computer-science instructor for students in South Africa. Today, he uses cutting-edge technology to accomplish his dual missions: education and youth leadership. Virtual

How would you like to go to summer Space Camp? Better yet, how would you like to go to Space Camp with attendees from all over the world? With everyone collaborating on a creative project in a playful environment? That's exactly the opportunity which ShapingEDU is offering anyone who'd like to participate. Oh--and it's free, and happening virtually. The dates: June 21-23, for three half-day sessions for which you can register here. ShapingEDU, created by Arizona State University, is a global community of passionate creatives. Their focus: coming up with ideas for positive change in education. And Stephanie Pierotti is ShapingEDU's first-ever Director. Annually, ShapingEDU hosts their "Global Virtual Summer Camp", with interactive sessions where attendees dream together, then collaborate to make those dreams a reality. This year's theme is "Space Camp". And Global Virtual Summer Camp is just one of ShapingEDU's events aimed at uniting innovators to create a better, more accessible edu

Sooner or later, you'll be teaching. Even if you'd never consider yourself a teacher. So, how do you teach a work procedure, a concept or an actual workshop or class so that your listeners stay engaged? Especially if you're delivering your message virtually? Award-winning teacher Dr. Mark Johnson has the answer to that question. Dr. Johnson teaches in numerous settings. He's taught at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, for just over thirty-six years. During that time, he's also served as a training and development consultant for the apprenticeship industry. In addition, he's served as a training consultant for trade organizations including the International Alliance of Stage and Technical Employees Trust Fund. He also teaches an online MBA program in Human Resources. Not to mention youth leadership courses. Oh, and he has a great TEDx talk about education: "Generation WHY?". In this presentation, he pinpoints a fundamental, and ongoing, error he sees educators making

NOWHERE Co-Founder and Managing Director Ana Constantino refused to let the pandemic sideline her--or the creative community she serves. Ana, who is the Co-Founder and Executive Producer of New York artistic collective The Windmill Factory, was bored and frustrated with isolation. So, in March 2020, she and her creative team began brainstorming ideas. The result: NOWHERE, a unique social-media platform for live events. Visitors can experience (and host!) music video premieres, workshops, festivals, scavenger hunts, art exhibits--all in 3D. But NOWHERE is a very different virtual experience from any others we've seen. Visitors travel through the stars to multiple surreal worlds. Portals can take you to a futuristic theatre with white strip lights and a backstage area. Or to a circular gallery among the clouds, where art hangs in space and you balance up a virtual ramp to see additional works. Or even to "6th Boro", where you stand on a sleek wooden platform in the sky, with all of New Y