STEAM Talk Podcast

Mini-sode: Special Education Department collaboration with CeMaST

STEAM Talk Podcast — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:54:05 -0400

Welcome to a special mini-episode of STEAM Talk. The Special Education department at Illinois State University offers several fantastic specialty programs on campus for students to major in. One of these specialties is in low vision and blindness. We are joined today by two undergraduate students in this program who are here to talk about a recent collaborative project they completed as part of their curriculum for SED 365: Assistive Technology.

The Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Illinois State University is a multifaceted department that facilitates and empowers STEM education in many forms. Smart Grid for All is a project from CeMaST that provides hands-on learning opportunities for K-12 learners in the classroom. The grid construction sets are used to teach students about energy in an exciting and fun way.

SED:365 stepped in to help make the construction sets applicable for low vision learners! Listen to our interview to learn more about the ways that education can become accessible for all!

Resource Links:

Dr. Jan-Ulrik Dahl: Microbiology at Illinois State (2 of 2)

STEAM Talk Podcast — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 17:48:40 -0400

Welcome back to our interview with Dr. Jan Dahl from Illinois State University’s School of Biological Sciences. We continue our discussion on Jan’s research, student collaboration, and implimenting a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) into his curriculum! Enjoy and subscribe to STEAM Talk today!

Resources Mentioned in Episode:

School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University: https://biology.illinoisstate.edu/

The Dahl Lab at Illinois State University: https://about.illinoisstate.edu/jdahl1/

Small World Initiative: http://www.smallworldinitiative.org/

High School Summer Research Academy: https://cemast.illinoisstate.edu/students/high-school/il-summer-research/

American Society for Microbiology https://asm.org/

Phi Sigma at Illinois State University https://biology.illinoisstate.edu/student-organizations/phi-sigma/#tabs-accord2

Biology Sciences Student Association at Illinois State https://biology.illinoisstate.edu/student-organizations/biology-sciences-student-association/

Dr. Jan-Ulrik Dahl: Microbiology at Illinois State (1 of 2)

STEAM Talk Podcast — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 17:23:16 -0500

Welcome to STEAM Talk, a show where we explore the amazing world of academic research on campus at Illinois State University through conversation. This episode is the first half of our interview with professor if Microbiology and Principal Investigator of the Dahl Lab, Dr. Jan-Ulrik Dahl. In this episode, Dr. Dahl tells us all about how he ended up at Illinois State University all the way from Germany. We ask him about his early interest in science, what it’s like to run a research lab, and his involvement on campus. Listen to learn more about Dr. Jan Dahl and microbiology at Illinois State University!

Links:

The Dahl Lab at Illinois State: https://about.illinoisstate.edu/jdahl1/

The School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State: https://biology.illinoisstate.edu/

Article about Dr. Dahl’s recent grant: https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2021/09/dr-jan-ulrik-dahl-awarded-nih-grant-to-study-resistant-bacteria/

STEAM Talk is a production of the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Illinois State University. Learn more here: https://cemast.illinoisstate.edu/

Theme music for STEAM Talk is “Hope is Not Lost” by Jim Hall

Jim Hall’s album “Elsewhere” and more are available on bandcamp: https://soundcloud.com/synth-kid/sets/elsewhere

Music featured in this episode is available on a playlist through Uppbeat* found here: https://uppbeat.io/playlist/61de2f1c4903c

*Music used in this episode comes from Uppbeat, a free music sharing platform for content creators. You can join for free to access 10 downloads per month. Alternate, paid plans are available on their website. Join Uppbeat for free by clicking our show’s referral link here: https://uppbeat.io?referral=steam-0zr51

Dr. Shawn Hitchcock Part 2

STEAM Talk Podcast — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 14:39:04 -0500

Dr. Shawn Hitchcock, Part 2: Organic Chemistry

Welcome back to our conversation with Dr. Shawn Hitchcock, professor of Organic Chemistry at Illinois State University and recipient of the Henry C. McBay Outstanding Teaching Award. To learn more about Dr. Hitchcock’s journey to Illinois State and his teaching award, check out part one of this interview. In this episode, we get to learn all about organic chemistry and Dr. Hitchcock’s research in molecular chirality. This conversation is all about the applicability of organic chemistry to viruses (like COVID-19) that affect our daily lives. If you are not familiar with the world of chemistry, have no fear! Dr. Hitchcock explains it all in a way that you’ll be able to understand. Whether you’ve taken a few different college-level chemistry classes (like Kara), or you barely passed your intro CHEM1000 course (like Courtney), you will be able to understand and learn something new!

If you enjoy this episode, be sure to rate and subscribe to STEAMtalk wherever you’re listening. STEAMtalk is a production of the Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (CeMaST) at Illinois State University. This showis hosted by CeMaST employee Kara and CeMaST Graduate Assistant Courtney. Learn more about CeMaST: https://cemast.illinoisstate.edu/

Links:

Dr. Shawn Hitchcock Part 1

STEAM Talk Podcast — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 22:25:52 -0500

Welcome to another episode of STEAMtalk, in this two part conversation series, we invite Dr. Shawn Hitchcock to take us on a journey through his life leading up to his position at Illinois State University, his recent award for teaching, and the importance of mentorship.

Dr. Hitchcock is a professor of organic chemistry at Illinois State University. For more information on Illinois State University and the chemistry program click here: https://chemistry.illinoisstate.edu/

Article referenced in episode: https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2021/09/dr-shawn-hitchcock-wins-nobcche-outstanding-teaching-award/

STEM Alliance at Illinois State University: https://universitycollege.illinoisstate.edu/communities/stem-alliance/index.php

More information about the Henry C. McBay Outstanding Teaching Award: https://www.nobcche.org/henry-c–mcbay-award

MINI-SODE: Undergrad Research Opportunities w/ Dr. Gina Hunter

STEAM Talk Podcast — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 18:44:08 -0400

Hello STEAMTalk listeners! Welcome to the first ever “mini-sode” (mini-episode) of STEAMTalk. This short interview features friend of the show Dr. Gina Hunter of the Office of Student Research at Illinois State University. This interview focuses on current opportunities for undergraduate student researchers at Illinois State and explains how to get involved! The perfect episode for anyone interested in doing research at the undergrad level at Illinois State! Here are some links to resources mentioned in the episode: Office of Student Research at Illinois State University: https://studentresearch.illinoisstate.edu/ Follow link to find page where you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Gina Hunter or Grad Assistant Sam Bruner: https://studentresearch.illinoisstate.edu/about/ Grants and Funding: https://studentresearch.illinoisstate.edu/funding/

Image of Research Contest Part 5: Sargylana Cherepanova

STEAM Talk Podcast — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:46:57 -0400

Welcome to our fifth and final episode of our series on the Image of Research Contest at Illinois State University. We are so honored to be sitting down to talk with one of the first place winners of the contest, Sargylana Cherepanova! Lana is a graduate student in the Wonsook Kim School of Fine Art. She is working on her MFA in painting, and works with software to create non-video game art pieces. Lana is from an indigenous community in Yakustk, which is known as the coldest country to live in! Her culture and homeland bring inspiration to her pieces, including the winning submission for the contest, “Sun Time, and Vivid Dreams” Enjoy our interview with Lana! The 2022 Image of Research Contest is openly accepting admissions from October 1st – November 12th 2021.

Image of Research Contest Part 4: RaeAnn Huffman

STEAM Talk Podcast — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 21:21:05 -0400

Episode 8 of STEAMTalk is part four of our five part series on the Image of Research Contest at Illinois State University. RaeAnn Huffman graduated with her Master’s degree in Agriscience from Illinois State University in Spring 2021. She submitted a photo entitled, “Agronomic Intercropping Systems in Corn and Soybeans” and received the People’s Choice Award in the Graduate Category! The Image of Research Contest is brought on by the Office of Student Research at Illinois State Unversity. Submissions for the 2022 Image of Research Contest open October 1st 2021.

STEAMTalk Episode 7: Image of Research Contest Part 3, Maggie DeMaegd

STEAM Talk Podcast — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:14:10 -0400

Welcome to STEAM Talk Image of Research Contest Part 3: Maggie Demaegd! Maggie received an honorable mention in the Image of Research Contest at Illinois State University with her meme-inspired image! We spoke to Maggie about her process in deciding what to submit to the contest, her work in the Wolfgang Steins’ Crab Lab, and more!

Season 2, Episode 6: Image of Research Contest Part 2: “Relaxing the Reds” with Molly Frank

STEAM Talk Podcast — Fri, 28 May 2021 11:32:40 -0400

Welcome to STEAM Talk, Season 2, Episode 6. This is part two of our series on The Image of Research Contest at Illinois State. This contest is held by the Office of Student Research, for more information on the contest and the Office, please listen to Season 2, Episode 5. Molly Frank graduated from Illinois State University in May 2021 with her Bachelor’s in Conservation Biology and Zoology. During her time at Illinois State, Molly took on an internship at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, where she was able to get up close and personal with the facility’s adorable red pandas. Molly’s job was to help socialize these pandas so they would grow accustomed to their handlers and their veterinarians! While working at the Zoo, she took many photographs, including the amazing image entitled, ‘Relaxing the Reds’ which won the People’s Choice Award in the 2021 Image of Research Contest at Illinois State. Join us as we talk with Molly about her journey to Illinois State, her internship, her passion for saving the planet, and what show she’s currently binging on Netflix!

Season 2, Episode 5: Image of Research Contest at Illinois State University, Part 1: Office of Student Research

STEAM Talk Podcast — Fri, 07 May 2021 21:31:44 -0400

Welcome to STEAM Talk, Season 2, Episode 5. This episode kicks off a series of interviews centered around the Image of Research Contest at Illinois State University. In this episode, Kara and Courtney discuss the Office of Student Research on campus with special guests, Dr. Gina Hunter (Director of the Office of Student Research and Associate Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Illinois State University), Dr. Noelle Selkow (interim director of the Graduate School since January 2019 and an associate professor in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation as a member of the athletic training faculty), and Dr. John Bauer (professor of chemistry and previously served as Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies from 2013-2020). All three guests have a passion for advocating for student research on campus! This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Research at Illinois State University.

Season 2 Episode 4: Let’s Talk Composing Music in Virtual Reality

STEAM Talk Podcast — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:20:28 -0400

In a continuation of Episode 3, Kara and Courtney talk all things solsticeVR with creator Dr. Roy Magnuson. How do you get access to solsticeVR? How do you compose music using the software? What does that music sound like? Did Roy have any terrible errors while creating this amazing project? Find out on Episode 4! This episode features sound samples created in solsticeVR by Illinois State University alumnus Kyle Waslewski and current Illinois State graduate student Brennon Best.

Season 2 Episode 3: Let’s Talk Music and Technology

STEAM Talk Podcast — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 15:27:57 -0500

Dr. Kara Baldwin and Courtney O. sit down to talk about how technology has impacted and enhanced Dr. Roy Magnuson’s music career! Dr. Magnuson started his career journey as a composer and discusses how his “say yes!” attitude lead to him becoming the creator of a musical Virtual Reality experience known as Solstice. Dr. Magnuson is faculty in the School of Music at Illinois State and is an instructor for a course in Creative Technology. Roy puts the “Art” in S.T.E.A.M…and also the “Technology”

STEAM Talk Season 2 Episode 2: Researching Crickets and Turtles

STEAM Talk Podcast — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 10:48:57 -0500

In a continuation of Episode 1, Courtney and Kara talk to two Illinois State University School of Biological Sciences Ph. D. candidates. Rosario Marroquin-Flores and Ian Rines discuss their research projects. Ian describes surprising findings from a study he co-authored on decorated crickets that was also published in Research Spotlight Journal and PubNavigator through SACNAS ISU [see episode 1 for more details about SACNAS ISU]. Rosario, the president of SACNAS ISU, discusses her research working with temperature-dependent sex determination in turtles.

Season 2 Episode 1: Let’s Talk SACNAS

STEAM Talk Podcast — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 12:43:45 -0500

Welcome to season 2 of STEAM Talk podcast. This season, we are featuring two new hosts and tackling our interviews in two-part increments! Part one of our interview with Rosario Marroquin-Flores and Ian Rines is all about SACNAS (Society Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) ISU! Rosario and Ian are both Ph. D. Candidates at Illinois State University who both experienced personal and professional growth through the organization on campus. Listen to hear their stories, learn about SACNAS ISU, and get involved on campus! This organization is open to all students whether they are STEM majors or not. Involvement in organizations on campus helps students build community and empower themselves. Let’s talk SACNAS!

Episode 4: Dr. Rebekka Darner

STEAM Talk Podcast — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 22:44:14 -0500

Hello listeners! We have a special treat! Dr. Rebekka Darner at Illinois State University school of biological sciences talks about her awesome name, her inspiration for starting this VERY podcast, and her journey into education and inclusion in STEM fields. Join us as we tackle science denial and what we can do to contribute to science literacy.

Episode 3 Dr. Catherine O’Reilly

STEAM Talk Podcast — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 23:26:29 -0400

Join us for this new and exciting episode that dives right into the heart of climate change and sustainability with Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Catherine O’Reilly!

Episode 2: Dr. Matt Caplan

STEAM Talk Podcast — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 19:02:00 -0400

Dr. Matt Caplan, a nuclear physicist here at Illinois State University, joins STEAM Talk to discuss his exciting research on neutron stars. Dr. Caplan is also a contributor to the famed YouTube channel “Kurzgesagt”—Check it out, it’s totally worth the click.

Episode 1: Dr. Andres Vidal-Gadea

STEAM Talk Podcast — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 18:48:00 -0400

Welcome to STEAM Talk!

This is episode one with Dr. Andres Vidal-Gadea, a Molecular Neuroethology professor at Illinois State University in the School of Biological Sciences. Dr. Vidal-Gadea is here with us to talk about his research in fighting against Duchenne muscular dystrophy, why we should all appreciate worms, his transition from living in Uruguay to the USA, and his best advice for students!

STEAM Talk Podcast is a production of the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology.