Stem Southwest Podcast

Today's guest is no stranger to the STEM Southwest podcast.  Jill Meyers was a previous guest on Episode 66, and we brought her back today to share her experience as a VIP at the Virgin Galactic launch from Spaceport America.  Jill recounts her thoughts as she watched firsthand the history of making spaceflight and her close brush with Elon Musk. Show Notes Watch episode here Jill Meyers has been in aviation her entire life since earning her private pilot's license at age 17.  She is an Aerospace Engineer, Air Force veteran, STEM advocate and mentor, professional speaker, and owner of Meyers AeroConsulting.  In 2019, Jill was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in London, the world's only professional body dedicated to the aerospace community. Meyers AeroConsulting Virgin Galactic Virgin Galactic Launch photos (Jill Meyers) "New Normal" by Khalid Karman line The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, by Frank White Thin Blue Line   Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learni

This week’s guest is young and wise with thoughtful answers to questions we are all asking.  Join us as this STEM Rockstar shares his passion for leveling the playing field and building a place where kids can create and learn.  STEM Southwest interviews Andrew Proctor and reveals the power of youth. In addition, Bob and Shelly share their plans for attending the launch of Sir Richard Branson into space as Astronaut 001 launching from southern New Mexico's Spaceport America!  Join them on Facebook live or in person at the launch on July 11 at 7am! Show Notes Watch episode here   Fictional Futurists Fictional Futurists (Memberships) Fictional Futurists (Donations) Juntos micro:bit Cognimates MIT App Inventor   Virgin Galactic Announces First Fully Crewed Spaceflight Virgin Galactic   Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning Be Greater Than Average Courses Be Greater Than Average Family Fun! Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book Battling Bots League (Partnership between Be Greater Than

In this episode, hosts Bob and Shelly dig deep and share their personal commitment to connecting the STEM dots.  Listeners will get behind the scenes commentary on life, profession, and as always, all things STEM.  Join our rockstar hosts as they recommit to you, their listeners! Show Notes Watch episode here   Majority of New Mexico's STEM Workforce doesn't have a bachelor's degree State STEM Report Cards 2019 R4Creating STEM Workforce Pipeline   Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning Be Greater Than Average Courses Be Greater Than Average Family Fun! Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book Battling Bots League (Partnership between Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse)   Contact: info@stemsw.com (505) 715-7732 Facebook  

Shaun Taylor, aka Nytfury FPV, and his wife, Teng Ma, aka JuneBug FPV, are professional drone pilots that have accepted awards on both world and national podiums.  Shaun is a world champion, 2xnational champion and 2xXDC champion along with numerous other awards. Teng has earned the title as fastest female and is a member of the USA women's FPV team.  Recently, Shaun used his drone to help rescue a dog that was wedged in a crevice in the Sandia Mountain Foothills.  Their love of drone racing is only second to their love for one another and their son, Max.  This married duo will share their knowledge of drones and show off their superpowers during our episode. Show Notes Watch episode here In early 2015, Shaun Taylor was a firefighter when he started to fly drones on his off-days.  The drone racing industry was on fire and, in June 2016, after winning five of the biggest drone races between 2015-2016, Shaun asked his wife if he could quit his job in order to prepare for the 2016 MultiGP national championship

Join Shelly as she leads a panel discussion of Women in STEM on the important topic of getting our girls more involved in tech.  Hear the perspectives of this diverse panel during a session at Experience IT, an event sponsored by the New Mexico Technology Council, as these panelists cover important thoughts, experiences, and focus on understanding the power of mentoring for young women in technology.  From STEM educators to professionals, these ladies have a lively and important discussion about their own experiences, and how to make the workplace more welcoming for women.  In today's episode, Shelly invites us all to become mentors for young women in technology to ensure a brighter future for all. Show Notes Watch episode here   New Mexico Technology Council Tracy Hartzler (CNM) Heather Fitzgerald (CNM) Melissa Ober (Science Girl's Lab) Maggie Werner-Washburne (Boomerang New Mexico)   Be Greater Than Average Courses Battling Bots League (Partnership between Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse) B

Robots are revolutionizing every industry and today’s guest shares how his company is ensuring co-bots are keeping people safe while completing important tasks.  Chris Ziomek and the team at Build With Robots are making a difference and leveraging the support of the community to make great things happen! Show Notes Watch episode here Chris Ziomek is a tech entrepreneur who has over 30 years of experience in high-tech industries.  Chris presently leads Build With Robots, an automation business developing the next generation of robotic tools.  Chris also serves as an adviser and investor in many New Mexico-based startups.  His prior professional experience includes: Senior Vice President and General Manager at Teradyne, Founder and President of ZTEC Instruments, microwave engineer at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, and section leader at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.  Chris holds BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of New Mexico. Build w

Today's guest shares her journey flying high and the work that it took her to get there.  Jill Meyers has had a storied career in STEM with some amazing organizations, and we know you will be wanting more when we are done . . . because we did!  From stories about aviation, learning to fly at 17 years old, and facing the challenging world of STEM as a woman, she shares it all.  We even get to hear about her latest adventures with Virgin Galactic and the WAI Land of Enchantment Chapter as she mentors her way through an amazing career! Show Notes Watch episode here Jill Meyers has been in aviation her entire life since earning her private pilot's license at age 17.  She is an Aerospace Engineer, Air Force veteran, STEM advocate and mentor, professional speaker, and owner of Meyers AeroConsulting.  In 2019, Jill was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in London, the world's only professional body dedicated to the aerospace community. Meyers AeroConsulting Changemaker Talent Fly Like A Girl (Doc

This week’s guest, a NM State Representative, takes a break from her duties serving the people of New Mexico to discuss important issues that matter to the region.  Her passion for flying led to a path in aviation law.  She is leading the way to establish New Mexico as a premiere place for space and flight. Listen in as Bob nerds out over law and politics in a conversation with Day Hochman-Vigil. Show Notes YouTube episode link Day Hochman-Vigil is a native New Mexican, born and raised in Santa Fe, and is the only certified aviation and space attorney in the State of New Mexico.  She practices law as a commercial aviation safety and security specialist and has been recognized for her work providing pro bono community legal services. She graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law and holds a Master of Law degree in Aviation and Space Law from McGill University. Day comes from hard-working New Mexican roots.  Her father was a local doctor, rancher, and small business owner outside of Glorieta, N

Today’s interview is a follow-up with Financial expert, Ann Shubert.  It is our first podcast built to help with the money questions that you have.  Join us as we get beginner tips for those just starting out on their financial journey, as well as those for professionals with retirement nearing.  Great tips for STEM entrepreneurs and advice that you don’t have to be a math major to understand! Ann Shubert started her professional career planning to be an astrophysicist, receiving a BA in Physics from Princeton University and an MS in Astrophysics from the California Institute of Technology.  After realizing that she was not cut out to be a pure research scientist, Ann shifted gears into a 30-year career in the defense industry, first designing and building software systems and later managing multi-million-dollar aerospace programs.  In 2014, while enrolled in the University of New Mexico’s Executive MBA program, Ann made another major career transition, becoming a licensed Financial Advisor.  Three years lat

This week, we start off 2021 with a special peek into the lives of our hosts, Bob and Shelly.  They are no longer hiding behind the microphone because their podcast editor has convinced them to give listeners more.  So, now you cannot only listen to the podcast, but if you choose, you can watch the video recording on their YouTube channel!  Bob and Shelly are driven to be mentors and encourage young people to do hard things!  Join them today for this very special and personal episode as STEM Southwest kicks off its third year of sharing some of the most amazing STEM rocktars of the Southwest! Show Notes Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning Be Greater Than Average Courses Be Greater Than Average Family Fun! Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book Our first YouTube podcast video   Contact:   info@stemsw.com (505) 715-7732   Facebook  

Join Bob and Shelly this week and get the scoop on a dirty little science secret that the textile industry doesn't want you to know.  Our guest, Gary S. Selwyn, a retired Los Alamos National Laboratory chemist, shares his discoveries and innovations that have him learning a lot about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval process as he works to share his life-saving innovation in the prevention of COVID19! Show Notes Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning Be Greater Than Average Competitive Robotics Gary S. Selwyn received his B.S. degree in chemistry from New York University, Albany, in 1974, and his Ph.D. degree in chemical physics from University of California, Berkley, in 1979.  From 1979 to 1982, he did postdoctoral research at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, and at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC.  From 1982 to 1994, he worked first as a Staff Scientist with IBM and then as a Research Manager at the IBM Watson Research Center.  He co-chaired a NATO A

Working to make New Mexico the first choice for the space industry today’s guest is investing her retirement years in this mission.  Breaking down walls and silos helps to create a rich ecosystem that will benefit the entire Southwest region and lead to a greater economic impact.  Space is more than a $350 billion industry.  It has increased tenfold over the last decade. and is anticipated to grow as much in the next decade, with more than 80% of the monies being private investment.  This is an opportunity that everyone needs to know about and what we will discuss on today’s episode.   Show Notes Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning Be Greater Than Average Competitive Robotics Casey Anglada DeRaad is Founder and Director of NewSpace New Mexico, a non-profit established to grow the commercial Space industry in NM and to create a bigger voice to New Mexico’s Space industry stakeholders from industry, academia, Air Force, the national labs, and local, state and federal organizations.  NewSpace NM is developi

Today's guest is an expert in using technology to advance business and learning.  Erika Hecht is the CEO of Market Ascent and shares her thoughts and expertise on how we can make money and delight audiences in order to make a greater impact using technology and tools to create amazing online experiences. Show Notes Fall STEM Learning offered by Be Greater Than Average - online and in-person for learners. Also, check out the Be Greater Than Average Resources webpage to get your copy of STEM Ebook: A Semester of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Activities. Help us grow our STEM programs through the Be Greater Than Average Facebook page.   For over 20 years, Market Ascent Founder, Erika Woldman Hecht, has been solving business strategy and marketing problems for technology and learning organizations, helping them grow smarter, faster, and better.  She has taken her experience and packaged it into a proprietary process that saves clients time while putting them on a direct path to achieving desired o

In this special episode, we hear from two members of the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Gabe Mounce and Captain Roger Anderson, as we discuss the innovative programs that AFRL is using to connect business and government through technology and innovation.  Show Notes Fall STEM Learning offered by Be Greater Than Average - online and in-person for learners. Also, check out the Be Greater Than Average Resources webpage to get your copy of STEM Ebook: A Semester of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Activities. Help us grow our STEM programs through the Be Greater Than Average Facebook page.   Gabe Mounce directs the Space Force Accelerator program for the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) in New Mexico.  In this capacity, he oversees the Hyperspace Challenge in Albuquerque and the Catalyst Space Accelerator in Colorado Springs, both focused on connecting the entrepreneurial start-up community to the US Space Force.  He is also the Technology Commercialization Lead for AFRL where he oversees all aspects of

Join us this week when we talk about STEM repatriation with the leaders of STEM Boomerang.  After noticing a brain drain in the STEM community, STEM Boomerang stepped in to support the journey home for many New Mexicans.  Other states are pursuing a similar program to ensure that the STEM workforce pipeline remains enriched.  It all started here in the Southwest and we are going to uncover the important information!  We will discuss everything from STEM careers to internships - don't miss this episode!   Show Notes Fall STEM Learning offered by Be Greater Than Average - online and in-person for learners. Also, check out the Be Greater Than Average Resources webpage to get your copy of STEM Ebook: A Semester of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Activities. Help us grow our STEM programs through the Be Greater Than Average Facebook page.   Maggie is retired from UNM, where she was a Regents Professor of Biology, and an adjunct in Computer Science and Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and a full me

We often take electricity technology for granted, until it isn't there anymore.  With one flip of a light switch, we become part of the largest machine in the country!  During this week's episode, we will explore the importance of and developments in renewable energy, what careers are available, and how local and regional power companies are partnering with consumers to change what used to be a one-way road into a two-way street by using technology to build the smart grid.  Join us as we discuss this and much, much more with our guests from PNM, Alaric Babej and Jon Hawkins.   Show Notes Fall STEM Learning offered by Be Greater Than Average - online and in-person for learners. Also, check out the Be Greater Than Average Resources webpage to get your copy of STEM Ebook: A Semester of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Activities Help us grow our STEM programs through the Be Greater Than Average Facebook page.   Alaric J. Babej is the Product Development Manager at PNM and works to design and implem

As a girl, Ann dreamed of being an astrophysicist.  Her journey into a STEM career led her into the defense industry.  After years of success, she enrolled in an MBA program and there, during a math class, she had the opportunity to help other women understand.  That moment, when she taught until “the light came on,” and her classmates’ new confidence with math, changed them and her.  That experience would change her and shift her career from math to money.  Her dream is to support women in STEM to be comfortable building their financial success and designing their financial future.  What small financial change could you make that would end in financial freedom? Show Notes Fall STEM Learning offered by Be Greater Than Average - online and in-person for learners; the schedule will be released in late August. Also, check out the Be Greater Than Average Resources page to get your copy of STEM Ebook: A Semester of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Activities Help us grow our STEM programs through th

Inspired by the Apollo missions to the moon, Brian Barnett has been dreaming of being an astronaut since he was a little boy.  Not only does he plan to be a commercial astronaut in the near future, but he also hopes to inspire a new generation in the race to space. His innovation and ideas have led him to develop the Space Wide Web, allowing earth-to-space communications.  Join this family man and hear how his children have been involved in his business, Solstar Space, from very early on.  Listen in to some of his amazing stories and ideas for STEM-minded individuals. Show Notes   Join Shelly and host, Betsy Jewell, on the latest episode of High School Hamster Wheel podcast (episode #040) Fall STEM Learning offered by Be Greater Than Average - online and in-person for learners; the schedule will be released in late August. Help us grow our STEM programs through the Be Greater Than Average Facebook page   M. Brian Barnett is a serial entrepreneur with 33 years’ experience in commercial space, the mobile satel

What does a good book and a video game have in common?  This week’s guest will share his thoughts on using virtual reality as classroom literature, and why it is time for us to step up and make a difference! Join us in this episode where we learn more about Esports and the possibility of it being a career.  Dr. Miles Harvey will share his experiences as a gamer and streamer, and how he is using that platform to make a difference in the lives of so many students! Show Notes Dr. Miles Harvey is a scholar gamer, middle years Esports coach, streamer, and teacher educator from the University of New Mexico researching media literacy and digital game-based learning.  He is a K-12 Language Arts and Media Literacy educator in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He also instructs classes at the Central New Mexico Community College.  Miles’ research interests focus on how students make sense of their learning through multimodal experiences afforded by mixed reality, video games, and research-based instructional strategies.  He c

This week's guest had a serendipitous journey to her career in STEM.  In an effort to diagnose her son and improve the quality of life for her mother, Karen Crow set out to learn more about sleep which led to a breakthrough in wearable sensors.  Now, as the CEO of the startup, NeuroGeneces, Karen shares about the impact of technology on the study and the science of sleep.  Gone are the days of sleep studies with wires and adhesives attached while you try to "sleep" in a strange bed.  The growth of wearable sensors is skyrocketing!  The data those sensors are collecting can be life-changing and the opportunity for careers in the relatively unexplored science of sleep is unprecedented.  As a bonus, Karen will even share how you can get involved in the beta testing of a new NeuroGeneces product! Show Notes Karen Crow is the co-founder and CEO of NeuroGeneces, a woman-owned start-up focused on improving memory and cognitive performance through sleep science.  Karen started her business career in management consu