Exploring STEM Hobbies E19

Hobbies are what we work hard to have the time to enjoy, right? Imagine exploring new ideas and activities to find your favorite. Now consider the career pathways related to that hobby and what you would like to call work.

The Arizona SciTech Festival is an opportunity to engage in new experiences to help identify a passion in STEM. Join us online or in person at a variety of community events! You are a Scientist!

Guests on this episode share their diverse backgrounds and their journey to STEM. We discuss the common misconceptions of certain hobbies, including difficulty levels and out of this world ideas. Listen in as we celebrate the need for failure and exposure to new ideas.

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension takes the science of the University to the people of Arizona through programs, publications, classes, events and one-on-one teaching. Cooperative Extension is one of the pillars of The University of Arizona’s Division of Agriculture, Life & Veterinary Sciences & Cooperative Extension.

We are about “Improving Lives, Communities and the Economy” by serving as a statewide network of knowledgeable faculty and staff that provides lifelong educational programs for all Arizonans.

We are part of a nationwide educational network of scientists and educators who help people solve problems and put knowledge to use. Arizona Cooperative Extension provides a link between the university and the citizens of this state.

Anne LeSenne has been involved with horticulture her entire life having grown up on a farm and having a large garden ever since. Anne has both her Bachelor’s degree (BYU Idaho) and Masters degree (Texas Tech) in Horticulture.

Professionally she has been a Landscape/Irrigation Designer, Wholesale Nursery Salesperson, Arborist, Landscape Maintenance manager, and most recently a Teacher at a college in Oregon, teaching Horticulture.

She is also a board certified Master Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture and a beekeeper.

Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association provides opportunities for members and the community to learn about and share the joy and excitement of astronomy through observing, education, and fun.

Jim Knoll has a bachelors degree in Business Management and a Masters in Business Organizational Management. He is a retired Air Force and Government Civilian.

He is serving on the Board of Directors for the Friends of Agua Caliente, a local county park in Tucson, AZ as Past President, current Treasurer and Membership Chair.

Jim is a volunteer with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association as Star Party Manager, Director of the Chiricahua Astronomy Complex, and Social Media manager.

Follow Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association on Facebook.

Southwest Maker Fest is a collaborative one-day festival and community of makers seeking to achieve the vision of a connected community, empowered by creativity. The Southwest Maker Fest (SWMF) mission is to celebrate, engage, and inspire the maker in each of us.

The upcoming Southwest Maker Fest will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022, 10am-4pm along Macdonald between Main Street and Pepper Place in downtown Mesa.

For almost 20 years Michael Savarese has been designing, building and programming professionally as well as for fun. Just over 4 years ago he became involved with the planning and running of the annual Southwest Maker Fest in Mesa, AZ.

Along with the lead up to the day of the Festival, he also runs a workshop teaching kids to create their own boardgames with materials and guided instruction.

Follow Southwwest Maker Fest on Facebook and Twitter.

The Chandler Public Library serves the community through literacy building, information sharing, gathering spaces, and by providing unique learning opportunities.

With the creation of The Makery – a suite of spaces that includes a programming room, production studio, and maker lab – is the Library adding a new resource to realize our mission in the 21st century.

The Makery will include subject matter experts, hardware, and software that will address the digital literacy gap by ensuring all community members will have the opportunity to build their skills with digital creation software, coding, design, and gain access to technological equipment.

Stacey Akahoshi is the Makerspace Librarian at the Chandler Public Library. She is responsible for The Makery, a free makerspace that increases community access to emerging technologies and traditional maker resources.

Stacey is a visionary professional, that loves to create new ideas and incorporate innovation and diversity into her projects. Currently, she serves on the Arizona Library Association EDI committee, JCLC Conference Marketing Committee, is the Advisor of Inclusion at the ASU chapter of Pi Beta Phi.

Stacey enjoys playing soccer and training dogs outside of work.

Follow Chandler Public Library on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Our Sponsor

SciTech Institute™ was established as the Arizona Technology Council Foundation as the conduit for collaboration among STEM industry, academia, civic, and non-profit organizations in Arizona. Now, rebranded and named the SciTech Institute™ the goal centers around aligning assets and resources to motivate individuals to pursue STEM-related educational and career paths or find a passion while engaged in community events during the SciTech Festival.

The Chief Science Officer program highlights the 6th-12th graders that have been selected as leaders in their schools and communities to receive training to build a world-class community of diverse STEM-literate workers and knowledgeable, engaged citizens. Science For All allows for tax credit donations to provide engaging experiences for students while RAIN (Rural Activation Innovation Network) focuses on resources for the rural areas of Arizona.

As a STEM Learning Ecosystem, SciTech Institute™ focuses on collaboration and connecting individuals with opportunities! STEM Professionals are encouraged to engage with the future workforce by serving as a mentor, leadership coach, panelist, keynote and session trainer during a variety of conferences hosted or sponsored by SciTech Institute™ and The Arizona Technology Council.

Teachers and Administrators are invited to connect with the resources available while activating a large network of STEM champions for student projects, judges at events, volunteers, exhibitors and more. SciTech Festival Event Coordinators are supported during the planning and execution of community STEM events around the state by the SciTech STREET Team Members and the growing network of volunteers. The possibilities are endless! SciTech Institute™ looks forward to connecting with you today. Visit SciTechInstitute.org today for more information.

Follow SciTech Institute on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Your STEM Unplugged Hosts

After grow up in rural New York and joining the United States Army, Kelly Greene learned quickly to adapt to her surroundings to be successful. She attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.

She also enlisted in the United States Army and after graduating from training, Kelly traveled the world with the military. While stationed in Misawa, Japan, she fell in love with learning about cultures around the world. Even as a deployed Soldier during Operation Iraqi Freedom for two tours, she found opportunities to connect with the local children to form the Victory Base Council Girl Scouts with her fellow servicemen.

In 2013, she was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and traveled the country by air. During this deployment, she had the opportunity to utilize the most advanced technologies available to the tactical HUMINT operations in theater. Upon return from combat, she retired with 21 years of service and began teaching. From 6th grade Math to 7th grade STEM, Kelly used her enthusiastic nature combined with her strong classroom management to design curriculum based on the Engineering Design Process!

Now, as the Chief Operating Officer at SciTech Institute, Kelly is excited to serve the communities in Arizona and beyond to share their interest in STEM!

Claire Conway is the STEM Ecosystem Programs Manager at SciTech Institute.