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When Basa Village Foundation President, philanthropist and author Jeff Rasley first began trekking in Nepal, his perspective changed radically.While climbing the Himalayan mountains as an adventure, he fell in love with the Rai people, in Nepal's remote mountain village of Basa. Their kindness, spirituality and openness were a refreshing change from Western culture. And their way of life was exactly as it had been, for five hundred years.But then, friends in the area requested help in upgrading Basa village's school.How, Jeff wondered, could he fulfill the request without obliterating a culture that had existed for centuries?"What can we give to Basa that it really needs (without destroying the culture by Westernizing it)?" he asks, in his book Bringing Progress to Paradise: How I Changed Nepal, How Nepal Changed Me.The answer was the catalyst for the creation of nonprofit Basa Village Foundation.Listening to the villageSince that initial request, Jeff, and the Foundation, have implemented multiple projects geared towards health, education and a better standard of living in Basa village. But, Jeff explains, every project must first be requested by the villagers.Then, he continues, implementation of the project involves the whole community.Jeff, who coordinates trekking and mountaineering expeditions through award-winning Nepal travel agency Adventure Geo Treks, explains that he has returned, five times, to Basa. While there, he will inspect the projects and ask the villagers' opinions of the way these projects are affecting their lives.So far, those projects have included upgrading the school, bringing electricity to the village, and a new agricultural and animal husbandry cooperative.A full creative scheduleMeanwhile, as covered in our previous interview, when Jeff is in his home state of Indiana, he serves as President of nonprofit Scientech Foundation of Indiana, which supports STEM and STEAM education through grants.A prolific author, Jeff has written 18 books so far. His extensive travels, his experience as a legal professional and his perspectives on history and spirituality are all reflected in his books.Jeff talked about the creation of the Basa Village Foundation, offered a closer look at the projects they've implemented in the village, and discussed some of the activities of the Scientech Foundation of Indiana.

"...The growth of technology is, by definition, accessibility," says AbleGamers Executive Director Jordan Kough.And for 21 years, nonprofit AbleGamers has been working towards making video gaming accessible to all.Their objectives stretch far beyond making sure everyone has fun. Although that's a valid consideration!On their website, AbleGamers' stated mission is to "enable play in order to combat social isolation, foster inclusive communities, and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities."Their programs are achieving these objectives in some exciting ways.Multifaceted innovationAmong their initiatives is the Able Player One program, where adaptive gaming specialists meet with players with disabilities, determine their accessibility needs and deliver--free of charge--gear that allows them to start, and continue, gaming. (And the specialists will stay in contact with the gamer, to be sure the items they supply are working for that person's specific needs.)In addition, AbleGamers have, so far, trained more than 1,000 video game developers in accessibility. Their APX program offers 22 different patterns for accessible experiences."The coolest parts about this is that we see all different types of people in our space, that want to get trained on this to use it in different parts and ways," Jordan says.Also, through their Player Panel program, AbleGamers have assembled the world's largest panel of gamers with disabilities, to advise the gaming industry.They even have an in-house Engineering Research Team, which prototypes and creates new devices when current technology fails to meet an individual's accessibility needs.Looking towards the futureBut perhaps one of their most exciting recent initiatives is their first international Esports Tournament for players with disabilities!Scheduled for March 7, 2026, in Milan, this hybrid competition will welcome players to compete both in-person and remotely. (Registrations are currently open, with more information available through their socials, @ablegamers.)Jordan shared the story of AbleGamers, offered a closer look at their programs and talked about his vision for the future.

"Letters like these make my day," says Abeye Co-Founder and CEO Michael Kodochian.He's describing some of the responses he's received from users of Lexilens, the patented smart glasses he invented to help users with dyslexia read more smoothly.In one case, a grandmother wrote to him to say that her dyslexic granddaughter's difficulties had previously led her to abandon her dream of becoming a nurse. But now, Lexilens was allowing the young woman to resume her studies.And for Michael, results like this are the reason behind his work."I want somehow to contribute to a better world," he says.The workings of innovationSo, how does Lexilens work? In effect, it's a neurovisual-enhancement filter."Lexilens corrects...the visual processing in the brain," Michael explains."...It cleans the input (of information you're reading)."And the clarity it provides allows dyslexics to build their "dictionaries" of reading compehension, due to being able to process the words on the printed page--or computer monitor--more easily.Michael points out that these smart glasses do not distinguish letters, nor increase reading speed."It's not magic," he says, explaining that reading ability is built over time and that the person using it, not the device itself, will distinguish words.However, it IS revolutionary.What Lexilens does, is remove the visual "noise" of dyslexia, so that a user can develop these skills.And there's more...While Lexilens, which has garnered numerous awards including a 2020 CES® Innovation Award, is currently available for sale, Michael and his team also have a new innovation: a smart monitor screen, which should be available in the U.S. in March!Michael shared the story of his smart-eyewear startup Abeye and Lexilens, explained how the smart glasses work, and offered a closer look at some of the ways his technology is creating a better future.

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.For Prothea Kenya Co-Founder and Managing Director Dr. Nick Were, emerging technology equals a pathway to better medical care--and better lives for his patients.But the innovation doesn't stop there.Next, he and his colleagues add imagination, creativity and a sense of community.Dr. Were, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences, uses 3D printing to create prosthetic devices for amputees. The result: lighter, more durable devices, with a more comfortable fit--at about half the normal cost.In Kenya, he explains, after an amputation, prosthetics can cost as much as $1,000--and national health insurance doesn't cover the cost."Many people can't (afford) that."But, he continues, lack of a prosthetic device can doom that patient to a life of poverty."If you can't move, than you really can't do much.("Our devices cost about half the cost of a traditional prosthetic.")Community, creativity and funOnce a patient receives one of Prothea Kenya's 3D printed prosthetic devices, Dr. Were and his colleagues begin gait training. As patients learn to navigate with their new prosthetic limbs, their sessions take place where new patients can see how the 3D printed devices work for their recipients.Often, a second look is necessary to even determine that anyone is using a prosthesis!That statement is especially true of the event which Dr. Were implemented in 2025: Kenya's first "Mr. and Miss Amputee Kenya Fashion Show"!Dr. Were's vision for this special event extends beyond Kenya; he'd like to make the fashion show an annual, and global, event. Plans are already in progress for a second show, in the final quarter of 2026.Extending excellence through technologyAnd Dr. Were, who is passionate about technology in medicine, continues to explore the ways technological advances can benefit his patients--and his colleagues.As Chief Medical Officer at digital healthcare platform Docthus Healthtech, he updates healthcare professionals on current trends in medicine, through the use of mixed reality. He also uses virtual reality for patient pain management, as well as medical education."Combining...the virtual reality, the 3D printing and my orthopedic surgery practice, really is my life's goal, my dream," Dr. Were says."And I'm really happy to be living my dream."Dr. Were talked about his background, shared the story of creating Prothea Kenya and offered a preview of what's next!

"When I first started teaching fifth grade in Vermont, I quickly found that my students didn't know their math facts," says MathFactLab creator and company owner Mike Kenny.That discovery would ultimately lead him to designing his online strategy-based math fact fluency application.Mike, who teaches fifth grade at Thomas Fleming Elementary School in Essex Junction, Vermont, first responded to the challenge by researching ways to help his students learn math more easily.Designing a revolutionary systemBut everything he found was based on memorization--which wasn't working.Instead, Mike began creating a system that would help students understand multiplication, division, addition and subtraction. Initially, that system was flash card-based, but eventually, Mike found a developer and evolved it into an online program.MathFactLab is highly visual: math facts are displayed through multiple models, including beads, dice, clock faces and bar graphs.For students using the program, learning math become a discovery process, that's all about reasoning and thinking with numbers, and identifying patterns."It's much easier to apply patterns, than it is to rely on memory,"," Mike says.Starting with certaintyAlso, he explains, students explore what they already know, to learn new math facts.For example, with a student who says they can't do division, Mike will ask if they can multiple a simple number, such as three times eight. Then, he has that student consider that they already understand how to divide, if they can multiply!"Division is simply 'unmultiplication',"he says.And the approach of discovering new facts, and learning visually, is highly effective, as students learn, rather than simply recite, facts."If they can get there themselves, then they own (that knowledge), and they appreciate it all the more, and remember it," Mike says.Mike shared the story of creating MathFactLab, offered a closer look at some of the principles teachers can use in their classroom, and discussed what's next with the program.

As CES® 2026 happens this week, in Las Vegas, Over Coffee® pays tribute to them with this reposting of one of our all-time top interviews from a previous Eureka Park® exhibitor!"...Sixty-five percent of kids...entering school today will end up (in) jobs that currently do not exist," explained Nanit Robotics Founder Vlad Konov, during our 2023 conversation.Since then, that statement has only become more relevant.Vlad, who introduced his Nanit ed-tech to the U.S. in the Eureka Park® startup area of CES®2023, has a long track record of innovation.An engineer, entrepreneur and educator, he is also the founder and CEO of RoboHouse, Ukraine’s international laboratory of robotics, electronics and programming.In addition, he is the creator of a first-of-its-kind robotics school in Ukraine.Our discussion, following CES®2023, explored the ways his user-friendly kit, for all ages, made robotics accessible to all.Based on experienceVlad's innovation sprang from his discoveries of the limited learning resources for adults, as he began his journey, in adulthood, as a self-taught roboticist.While STEM opportunities for children are abundant, he says, he found very few learning possibilities for beginning adult learners.However, he did see a real need for upskilling."...Now, market need is to change your professional orientation. It's OK to change your professional orientation at least three times in your lifetime," Vlad says.And as he became proficient in robotics, he began thinking of ways to fill that gap."We don't have enough STEM education for adults, and I want to solve this problem," he says."I have a lot of success right now (with robotics). Can you imagine if (I'd started) at 12 or 13?"His experience would ultimately lead him to create the Nanit Robotics kit--from which users of all ages can build, literally, 100 robots!But he didn't stop there.Growing the inspirationToday, according to Nanit Robotics' website, that innovation has grown into an online engineering course: "Nanit Master", which is getting A pluses, in feedback, from previous students!"Our mission of the project is to create engineers," explains the website."The company's products are not used as weapons, they have only an educational STEM character."Another exciting note? Since our conversation, Nanit has also begun offering smart home products on Amazon!A quick check of their listings reveals several different types of baby monitors, including a wearable which tracks breathing motion, and a wi-fi camera with sleep tracking and two-way audio."This is the future," Vlad says.Vlad shared the story of Nanit Robotics, explained some of the ways the kit can be used and offered a closer look at a future in which robotics can facilitate bringing ideas to life.

Over Coffee® is on holiday hiatus. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2025!This post and podcast are for informational purposes only, and are not intended as medical advice. Please contact a healthcare professional with any health-related questions."If you can learn the planets, you can learn the microbes--if you have the tools," says MedMicroMaps CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Jane Harrington."...I will do anything to meet the learner where they are."And that's exactly what she has done, by drawing on her background as a professor of microbiology, at multiple universities, as well as her time spent serving as Course Director in the area of medical microbiology, both in the Caribbean and, more recently, at Rocky Vista University in Billings, Montana.Dr. Jane uses technology, both to put microbiology into relatable terms, and to engage visual learners in a fun experience.Analogies through VRHer virtual-reality game, MedMicroMaps, replaces the "intimidation" factor with fun--even as it provides a highly-effective tool for visual learning.The gamer enters a world where they see actual bacteria before them--and interact with them, in the course of their experience. And these are realistic bacteria."It's based on real science," Dr. Jane explains."So (many) VR applications right now, they're very 'cartoony'.""(Our representation says,) 'This is a bacteria phage. This is actually what it looks like.'"Meanwhile, players are discovering parallels between the science behind the virtual bacteria in the game, and their own experiences.(For example, Dr. Jane says, one person mentioned that a bacteria phage looks like an octopus!)The world of bacteria in VRMedMicroMaps players are assisted by a mascot/study buddy named Phage.i. He's a bacteria phage, designed with AI to begin at a learner’s starting point, for microbiology, and help them “grow” from there.He's also there to make microbiology accessible. Phage.i is a whimsical character with a high voice: Dr. Jane says that, upon seeing him, most people comment on his “cuteness”!The game is pure fun. In addition to a "detective"-style puzzle to solve, there's a "whack-a-microbe" feature.Directions for learningIn addition, MedMicroMaps incorporates a revolutionary "map" and compass.These are a patented design which allows user to learn the effects of the different types of microbes both visually and geographically."...An upper-respiratory tract infection, that's the northern coordinate," Dr. Jane explains."Versus, if I have something in my lungs, and it's pneumonia, that's the south."2025 saw Dr. Jane and her husband and MedMicroMaps co-founder, Ian Holyoak, roll out the beta version of MedMicroMaps. Their ultimate goal: several different editions: for high-school students, medical students and institutions of higher learning.Dr. Jane talked about creating MedMicroMaps, explained how her game works and offered a closer look at the compass system!

When Pasadena's 137th Tournament of Roses® Parade happens on New Year's Day, the students of Cal Poly Universities will be upholding a long-standing New Year's Day tradition.However,they'll also be showcasing cutting-edge innovation, as their 77th Rose Parade®float, "Jungle Jumpstart', goes by.This particular float is both a whimsical story, in accordance with the 2026 parade theme, "The Magic in Teamwork", and a reflection of the various skills and talents of the students on two separate campuses.Unique to the paradeSince 1949, Cal Poly Universities students have built and entered a float in the Rose Parade®. Not only is theirs the only student-built entry--their organization is one of only six noncommercial groups, or "self-builts", participating in the parade.Cal Poly Universities' float's chassis is created by students on the Pomona and San Luis Obispo campus. Then, in October, the San Luis Obispo team drive their half down to the Pomona campus, where the two halves are joined.And from there, the two teams work as one.Because the students are learning by doing, their freedom to experiment often results in some unprecedented innovations.A 1968 hydraulic-powered animation system and a 2017 engineering system which changed colors of flowers, are among their inventions.And on New Year's Day 2026, parade viewers will again get to see some unprecedented technological use, on "Jungle Jumpstart"!Introducing: 2026Aubrey Goings is President of Cal Poly Rose Float, San Luis Obispo, and Amelia Atwell is President of Cal Poly Rose Float, Pomona. Both Aubrey and Amelia are architecture students, using their passion for design to create something magical.Aubrey and Amelia talked about their experiences with Cal Poly Rose Float, their work so far on "Jungle Jumpstart" and the lessons they've learned from their experience.(Would you like to support the Cal Poly Universities students as they craft "Jungle Jumpstart"? Here are links to their Amazon wish lists, for both decorations and operations!)

Artist and technologist Dulce Baerga empowers others in the metaverse.One of her current projects, Avatar Gods, uses artificial intelligence to generate avatars which reflect each user's individuality. These will be platform-agnostic, extending that person's presence across multiple metaverse platforms.In addition, Dulce says, her avatars will retain a user's individuality, when they're not on the platforms!As a pioneer in mixed reality, augmented reality, and immersive technologies, Dulce has created multiple . XR experiences. She is the CEO of creative technology studio Dulce Dotcom, and has more than 25 years' experience in blending creativity with technical expertise to take XR innovation beyond its current boundaries.Dulce says Avatar Gods is currently in prototype stage, and a matter of months from its first release, pending funding.The artist as mentorIn addition to Avatar Gods, Dulce is currently building, and preparing to launch, her Dulce XR Creator Lab! This is a hybrid AI/WebXR education program, which will teach creatives how to build immersive experiences using the pipelines she has developed.She also builds worlds for her clients, and consults on avatars and immersive projects.And expect her to break new ground, in the process."in 2018, I really focused in on WebXR and have been really passionate about it ever since, and pushed its boundaries as much as I can," Dulce explains.Dulce talked about her creative journey, explained how Avatar Gods will work and offered a preview of what's next!

Due to an electrical outage, we're running a backup episode of Over Coffee® this week. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2025!"We are so not ready," says anthropologist, futurist, AI ethicist, broadcaster and educator Dr. Lollie Mancey.She's discussing AI--and the challenges its high-speed adoption is presenting to society.Dr. Mancey, who is Programme Director at University College Dublin’s Innovation Academy, sees multiple problems with the way AI is infiltrating our lives. Among them: the ways artificial intelligence excludes some segments of the population; the perception that it will make humans "obsolete"; and a general blind acceptance, without questioning, of the ways it's being presented by technology companies.Since AI is inevitable in all aspects of life and future industry, she adds, we need to explore, experiment and ask questions. And most of all, see it as a supplement to our talents, as opposed to supplanting them."You can play with it as a tool, but it must never replace us," she says.The challenge--and the "why"As an award-winning storyteller and keynote speaker, Dr. Mancey likes to challenge her listeners to explore new ideas. Within the next three to five years, she says, ninety percent of us may have agentic AI involved in our lives. Consequently, she explains, all of us need to imagine the ways we can have “a place at the table” as artificial intelligence evolves.Dr. Mancey talked about her background, some of her research in AI and the directions she recommends everyone take, to stay proactive and collaborative with artificial intelligence in education and the future workplace.

Over Coffee® is on Thanksgiving week hiatus. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top episodes of 2025!Most people don't put the words "engineering" and "fun" together in the same sentence.But for Air Rocket Works Co-Founders Rick Schertle and Keith Violette, the two always go together.With a shared passion for creating rockets and launchers, they first connected over some articles Rick wrote for Make Magazine.Keith wound up sending Rick a working prototype of his compressed-air rocket launcher, which Rick describes as "the coolest thing ever".The rest is history.The "launch" of a small businessRick and Keith, who live in California and New Hampshire, respectively, have only seen each other in-person a handful of times: at maker fairs! But their small business, Air Rocket Works, has been capturing the imagination of kids and "big kids" since its founding in 2014.And their air rockets, compressed-air launchers and free templates--including four contributed by NASA!--continue to be a hit."I've always wanted to include the fun side of engineering, and keep things interesting," Keith says.Inspiring the makersWhile their products have a sense of joy built right into them, Air Rocket Works' launchers and templates are also teaching kids--and "big kids"--a lot about science, technology, engineering, art and math.Both Rick, who teaches at Steindorf STEAM Magnet School, and Keith, a mechanical engineer by profession, have implemented maker fairs at their local schools.For Rick, a long-held dream of hosting a school maker fair ultimately led him to evolve the school's traditional open house to a mini-maker event. With music, a rocket launch and maker stations, the event was a huge success, and grew proportionately. Rick says he thinks 2025 will mark their fourth year!(Like to give a favorite maker or rocket enthusiast a gift they'll enjoy? Here’s a link to Rick’s book “Planes, Gliders and Paper Rockets: Simple Flying Things Anyone Can Make” on Amazon!)Meanwhile, while his own son and daughter were in school, Keith volunteered to teach engineering sessions. These involved building water rockets and doing rocket launches. After meeting other parents with similar engineering background, he and his wife Tanya organized a three-hour maker fair, with fifty exhibits, at the local high school, for students from first grade through high school."(We made) all kinds of just really fun hands-on things, to show that science, engineering and the arts all work well together," he explains.And both Rick and Keith want to keep right on creating cool "flying things", teaching and inspiring kids (as well as big kids!) to explore, be confident and see themselves as makers.Rick and Keith shared the story of Air Rocket Works, talked about some of their favorite experiences and discussed what they'd like to do next!

Would you like to help an incredible community uphold a tradition of more than a century?And in the process, have a lot of fun, and help to create a work of art?If you're in the Southern California area, that's the invitation which South Pasadena Tournament of Roses would like to extend to you.South Pasadena Tournament of Roses President Ed Donnelly and his team are building their 2026 float, "The Great Picnic Heist", for Pasadena's 137th Rose Parade® on New Year's Day--and they need volunteers from now through December."There's plenty to do, for any skill set," Ed says.1893 history, 2026 creativitySouth Pasadena Tournament of Roses' "The Great Picnic Heist", a whimsical depiction of a snoozing bear whose picnic has "grown legs", is likely to evoke smiles, laughter--and a considerable sense of pride in their legacy.That's because South Pasadena Tournament of Roses is the oldest "self-built", or noncommercial independent float builder, in the parade. They've been participating in the Rose Parade since 1893--and Ed says they've had a float in the parade, continuously, since 1911!Ed, who is a professional musician and audio engineer, sees considerable creative parallels between performing live music, and building award-winning Rose Parade floats."We're creating art," he explains, of both experiences."If you look at the Rose Parade floats, they're works of art."...How are we connecting with people? What does this say? What will they think when they see this?"...It's very much the same sort of approach and philosophy." (Check out Ed's website for his recording studio, Barber's Basement, to hear a demo of some great Americana, country and folk music!)Additional opportunitiesIn addition to the volunteer opportunities, South Pasadena Tournament of Roses invites you to their "Crunch Time Party and Auction", happening December 29th.And if you don't happen to be in the Southern California area, but would like to support them, there are several ways.You can donate directly on their website, purchase a raffle ticket or souvenir merchandise or check out their Amazon wish list, for "The Great Picnic Heist"!Ed talked about his background, offered a closer look at "The Great Picnic Heist", and shared some of his favorite stories of working with South Pasadena Tournament of Roses.

What might Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol look like, in virtual reality?Performer, director and mixed-reality artist Kevin Laibson has an innovative answer.As Experience Director for New York immersive design studio Agile Lens, Kevin is the producer of A Christmas Carol VR, now in its fifth year and offering free live performances on Meta Quest!The goal of Agile Lens, as stated on their website, is to "redefine storytelling through immersive technology... to create transformative spatial experiences."They accomplish this goal with their nontraditional interpretation of Carol.With some reimagined characters, A Christmas Carol VR maintains the magic of the timeless story. A talented two-actor team brings the show to life, in under an hour, amid some "magical" VR elements.And incidentally, earlier this year, the show received a nomination for Best Immersive Theatre, during a special run at the Raindance Immersive Festival!How to attendPerformances begin with a matinee on Saturday, November 29th, and run through weekends up to Sunday, December 21st. Here's the link for information.There will also be an all-day "stream-a-thon" on Agile Lens' YouTube channel, on December 24th!In addition, Kevin will be performing his solo show, "The Harmnf", in New York and Los Angeles! Here's the link for tickets.Kevin talked about his background, offered a preview of what A Christmas Carol VR Audiences will see, and shared some guidance for fellow educators and theatre professionals who might like to take their work into virtual reality.

"I thought, this is a good way to motivate and inspire students to learn," explains VictoryXR Co-Founder and CEO Steve Grubbs.He's recalling both his first VR experience--and the genesis of his Iowa-based educational technology company, founded in 2016.VictoryXR, now used by educators in more than 30 countries, is transforming education through virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.In real-world-based immersive settings, students become interactive, rather than passive, participants: encouraged to explore, be curious and create content.Applications are available for learners of all ages, from kindergarten to postgraduate and technical/career training.Hands-on and virtualAmong VictoryXR's applications is the VXRLabs platform, which is free to download. Simulations on VXRLabs include an interactive field trip to Egypt, a virtual biology lab and a "create space" for students to input their own content.There are also more than 140 fully-immersive field trips on the "Victory XR: Global Traveler" app, which takes students all over the world.Without ruining the fun, let's just say that these approach travel destinations from some highly imaginative perspectives, while teaching."Because you're immersed, students retain dramatically more information," Steve explains.AI for all learnersOne of VictoryXR's newest offerings is HOLOTUTOR: an AI student tutor, available, 24/7, that can tutor students in virtually any subject. (It's also free to download.)Steve talked about his background, shared the story of creating VictoryXR and offered a closer look at some of the ways his company continues to transform the ways we learn--and teach.

As we prepare for Immersive X, happening one week from today, please enjoy this reposting of our earlier interview with Organizer and Curator Thomas Zorbach!Just one more week till Immersive X!For three days, starting Tuesday, November 11th, this free all-virtual festival will explore the ways XR will transform the future.The arts, academia, health, and society will be among the areas covered in ten different tracks.And in addition to exploring the exciting innovations happening with VR and XR, the event is all about connecting in the metaverse."We always look for people that want to contribute to the development of this community," says Immersive X Organizer and Curator Thomas Zorbach, who is the Founder and CEO of Berlin-based full-service agency vm-people..While the sessions are popular, and space may be limited, prospective visitors are still welcome to apply for an invitation--just with the warning that some sessions may already be full.Thomas says there will be a training day on Monday, November 10th, and then, sessions start on Tuesday, the 11th, with his opening remarks at 6 am, Pacific time.In this interview from September, 2025, Thomas shared the story of creating both vm-people (check out their YouTube channel, for past IMMERSIVE X sessions!) and the IMMERSIVE X festival, as well as offering a preview of this year’s events.

"This is an exciting new path for us," says Neil Squire Society Makers Making Change Accessible Gaming Lead Tyler Fentie, of his organization's latest initiative: the GAME Kit.This innovation marks the latest step towards expanding adaptive gaming throughout Canada for Makers Making Change, an initiative of nonprofit Neil Squire Society (which is Canada's leader in creating assistive technology).Makers Making Change connects volunteer makers with Canadians with disabilities, to create low-cost or free assistive technologies which empower individuals to work, play and live fulfilling lives. Customized to that specific client, these devices have ultimately led to Makers Making Change's open-source library of device patterns, available to makers worldwide.Feedback from their clients, as well as from makers with disabilities, makes their devices effective for the communities they serve. Currently, Makers Making Change is conducting their "Hacking for the Holidays" event, where makers come together to make holiday toys accessible to their young recipients. This year, Tyler says, they're expanding that program with a week-long special event.And they're expanding their reach as they make fun accessible to gamers, as well.A "game-changing" visionIn 2024, Tyler implemented and led the GAME Checkpoints program: opening centers, throughout Canada, which work with community partners to offer resources, gear and training for adaptive gaming. The program continues to thrive.At the time of our 2024 conversation, Canada had nine GAME Checkpoints. Today, Tyler says, that number has grown to eleven. His goal is to have one in every Canadian province.And the GAME Kit was in the works. The goal: to facilitate setups of adaptive gaming showcases by providing equipment, a guide and a checklist.The latest innovationToday, the kit is complete--and has been released for purchase. (While it's not currently available outside of Canada, Makers Making Change has both a four-part series on the basics of game adaptability, and a accessible gaming equipment patterns available to all makers on their open-source library of assistive device build instructions!)With three different sets of assistive devices for increasing more complex gaming, as well as a guide with five possible setups, the GAME Kit allows anyone--even if they have no experience--to set up an effective showcase and show visitors how adaptive gaming can work for their communities or organizations.Tyler talked about creating the GAME Kit, explained at one scenario in using it to set up an adaptive gaming showcase, and offered a look at an exciting grant program designed to help Canadian youth implement adaptive gaming showcases in their areas!

Cosmic Girls Foundation CEO and Founder Dr. Mindy Howard is making several dreams a reality, at once.As a future astronaut, she's fulfilling her lifelong career aspirations.Through her Netherlands-based company, Inner Space Training, she's training commercial space travelers to optimize this once-in-a-lifetime experience.As an author and speaker, she's using what she's learned, in training as an astronaut, to help her readers train for success. (Check out her book, Blast Off! Train Like an Astronaut for Success on Earth, as well as her TEDx Talk!)But most of all, with her nonprofit Cosmic Girls Foundation, she's empowering young women, globally, to pursue their dreams of a career in our future space economy.World-class empowermentThrough their virtual community, Cosmic Girls Foundation provides girls, ages 14 through 19, with STEM education and a network that can pave the way for future careers as astronauts, aerospace engineers and astrophysicists.With their free Cosmic Forum, they offer a virtual space for girls to connect over their shared interests in aerospace, astrophysics and related topics.Mindy explains that the forum is a collaborative, rather than competitive, space, in which the girls help and guide one another by providing answers to such questions as, "What telescope should I buy (for) stargazing?""It's almost like a sisterhood," Mindy says, as she shares the surprisingly-mature insights she's seen 15-year-olds sharing with their peers.Members of the Cosmic Forum are also eligible for virtual training through Cosmic Girls' worldwide program partners.Skills learned can include virtual astronaut training, as offered by the new MMARS program; hands-on research, as listed in the Habitat Marte curriculum; and machine learning, listed by Womenovate.However, like any space program, Cosmic Girls Foundation is reaching goals--then traveling beyond them.Destination: spaceflightJust recently, Cosmic Girls Foundation offered their 6 Girls 6 Continents Competition.Recruiting girls from all over the world, they offered a chance for six finalists to receive astronaut training. The goal: one girl from each continent, gets to train.And the grand-prize winner, funding permitting, will receive a free suborbital spaceflight!Mindy says that, since the Foundation is still securing funding for the competition, they may soon re-open it to additional entrants. Here's the link to watch, for updates!Mindy talked about her journey as a space professional and future astronaut, shared the story of Cosmic Girls Foundation and offered a preview of what may be next!

"My calling is...about how we work together as humans," says BridgeMakers Founder and Core Leader Dr. Ruth Diaz.And in her leadership cooperative, compassion, community and leadership can result from facing conflict head-on.Focusing on "being humans on purpose together", as their website says, BridgeMakers has a mission of creating resilient and collaborative virtual communities. In the process, Dr. Diaz explains, they build bridges between communities, while offering support to leaders to help them understand where communities can break down,Disruption as innovationTheir method? To embrace "disruptive elements" in a way that challenges and strengthens these communities, fostering innovation, inclusion and understanding.While most communities do not thrive on conflict, BridgeMakers looks to weave it into their fabric, seeing disruption as an opportunity for growth and understanding.Dr. Diaz says that challenging those best practices by those who have faced exclusion from them is one of the best ways to expand what building community means.Accordingly, BridgeMakers includes four key initiatives, which explore leadership as a shared journey, in the virtual space, in which all voices are heard.A precursor to these initiatives is The Troll Project, which involves approaching "trolls", or disruptors, with empathy and compassion. Some ex-trolls are now members of the community, and Dr. Diaz says their experienced perspectives can be helpful to community leaders who have encountered problems.BridgeMakers' initiativesIn addition, BridgeMakers, which meets weekly on multiple VR platforms, has initiatives for leadership development, inclusive community building and their "Human on Purpose" groups, which explore the multiverse together.Dr. Diaz talked about her background, shared the story of BridgeMakers and The Troll Project, and offered a closer look at their work--including a "template" for building welcoming and diverse communities.

"...I think this is the most fun I've ever had in a job, ever," says Las Vegas Science and Natural History Museum Marketing Manager Ashley Glenn.Ashley came on board in her role at LVNHM in February, 2025--a matter of months before the museum rebranded. Formerly Las Vegas Natural History Museum, they added "Science" to their name in July, as they celebrated their 34th birthday.Ashley explains that, while the museum has always offered both STEM and STEAM programming, the general public didn't seem to be aware that science was a core part of the curriculum.And her talents, as a storyteller and artist, are being put to great use as she promotes the museum's interactive exhibits, special events and workshops. These include some expansions and additions to the curricula which garnered LVNHM a "Best of Las Vegas" top honor in 2024. (For 2025, they've also received a nomination! Ashley says the final winners will be announced in December.)"I just love that I get to learn something new with every campaign," Ashley says."Every single thing we do, has a learning opportunity."Interactive educationCreativity and interactivity are the hallmarks of those opportunities.Las Vegas Science and Natural History Museum's offerings include a menagerie where visitors get to interact with live animals, numerous hands-on exhibits and a number of special events. Over summer, they featured a "Rainforest Adventure" that included an interactive maze, monkey bars and even a zip line!"That's how kids learn best...interactive activities," Ashley says.Often, the young visitors are having such a good time at the exhibits andspecial events that they don't realize they're learning--only that they're having fun.Current and future programmingLas Vegas Science and Natural History Museum is currently hosting a series of cultural programs for Hispanic Heritage Month, from now through Sunday, November 2nd. On Friday, October 31st, they will welcome visitors (including kids in costume, who will receive free admission!) to their popular "Dinoween" event. And they'll finish out the year with a full month of "December to Remember" exhibits and festivities.Ashley talked about her background, shared some of her favorite experiences as a storyteller and artist in her role at LVNHM, and offered a closer look at some of the live animals with whom visitors get to interact.

"It's all about the exposure," explains True Robotics Founder and President Anthony Galgano."If kids aren't exposed to things at a young age, they won't have any interest in exploring it, later in life."He's speaking of the roots of his own passion for robotics.Accordingly, Anthony's Worcester, Massachusetts-based startup offers three educational robotics packages, designed to get students interested in robots from kindergarten on--and keep them learning as they have fun!And at the same time, for educators who don't consider themselves "technical", True Robotics is removing the "intimidation factor" of teaching new technology. Their programs include professional development training, grab-and-go curricula and comprehensive educator support.The robotsTrue Robotics' first robot is Treads, for grades K through 3. With its tank-like configuration, Treads is designed to get students, grades K through 3, familiar with the ways a robot works.Progressively, the robotics packages become more complex.Next, for grades 3 through 5, there's the Pilot robot kit. As students are challenged to build and program the robot, they're learning computer science and STEM skills.And the third robot, Axle, is for grades 6 through 8. Axle connects students with real-world robotics applications, involving engineering design and programming challenges, according to True Robotics' website.Goal: widespread inspirationOn True Robotics' website is the stated goal, "We want to inspire 35,000 students by 2025".According to their just-updated website figures, as of late September, they're well on their way.Listed are 29,000 students served through robotics; 355 instructors trained; and 2,700 robots delivered.And next year, Anthony says, he would like to double the number of students reached.Anthony talked about his background in robotics, shared a closer look at True Robotics' robotics packages and gave a preview of what's next!