STEM Pop-Up Lab | Magalis Martinez & Watson Hartsoe | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Genesis is a non-profit organization that brings dynamic STEM experiences to underserved communities through their mobile Innovation Lab, fostering engagement and hands-on learning.

Transcript

so hi thank you welcome my name is Miguel Elise Martinez and my co-creator in all things Genesis Watson heart so so a little bit we'll talk about Genesis what is what is Genesis what we aim to do so Genesis is a non-profit here in Los Angeles that aims to foster and strengthen and expand access to dynamic and interactive and comprehensive stem expe... Read More

Key Insights

• 🚗 Genesis is a non-profit organization that brings STEM experiences to underserved communities in Los Angeles through their mobile Innovation Lab.
• 🤗 They focus on fostering engagement and hands-on learning, using design principles inspired by the MIT Media Lab.
• 📱 Projects undertaken by Genesis include building robotic hands, creating game design studios, and exploring smart machines and smart cities.
• 👶 Their goal is to increase access to STEM education and provide personalized and interactive learning experiences for children.
• 👻 Genesis aims for 100% engagement in their pop-up experiences, allowing children to explore different aspects of STEM learning.
• 👶 They emphasize transparency and process over product, encouraging children to understand the inner workings of technology.
• 🥼 Genesis is expanding their reach by partnering with Boys and Girls Clubs and establishing an Innovation Lab in South LA.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Genesis and what do they aim to do?

Genesis is a non-profit organization that brings interactive and comprehensive STEM experiences to underserved communities in Los Angeles. Their goal is to foster and strengthen access to STEM education and provide hands-on learning opportunities through their mobile Innovation Lab.

Q: How does Genesis engage with young people in their pop-up experiences?

Genesis focuses on 100% engagement in their pop-up experiences. They design their mobile Innovation Lab with multiple points of entry, allowing children to explore different aspects, such as arts and crafts, computer programming, and storytelling. Students have the opportunity to choose where they want to spend their time, ensuring a personalized and engaging experience.

Q: Can you provide examples of the STEM projects undertaken by Genesis?

Genesis has facilitated projects such as building and 3D printing robotic hands for children in third-world countries who have lost their limbs. They have also transformed their mobile Innovation Lab into a game design studio and introduced projects centered around smart machines and smart cities.

Q: How does Genesis incorporate design principles and hands-on learning in their experiences?

Genesis uses design principles inspired by the MIT Media Lab and focuses on constructivism and hands-on learning. They emphasize process over product and aim to make the inner workings of machines transparent, allowing children to understand the technology behind them. Their goal is to foster self-directed learning and exploration.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Genesis is a non-profit organization in Los Angeles that aims to provide dynamic and comprehensive STEM experiences to underserved communities.

• They achieve this through their mobile Innovation Lab, which includes computers, 3D printers, and laser cutters, among other tools.

• Pop-up experiences have included robotics, game design, and smart machines, all centered around hands-on learning and constructivist principles.