The Kansas Enrichment Network presents a virtual summit experience for community leaders and afterschool professionals looking to expand their knowledge and focus on the future engagement of girls and underrepresented populations in STEM/STEAM programs.

This conference is presented In partnership with Lawrence Arts CenterKC STEM Alliance and Million Girls Moonshot. 

Presenter Bios

Karin Chang, Ph.D.

Associate Director, UMKC Urban Education Research Center

Karin ChangKarin Chang has more than 20 years of experience in Kansas City helping educational organizations meet a wide range of evaluation, needs assessment and research needs. In the Kansas City region, she has partnered with over 40 school districts and charter schools, community colleges, economic development organizations and the state Departments of Education in Kansas and Missouri. Her expertise spans the P-20 educational continuum, including early childhood, K-16 STEM learning, adult education and workforce development.

Previously, Karin served at Executive Director of the KC Area Education Research Consortium which focused on critical educational issues in the Kansas City region. She earned a doctorate in education research and psychology from the University of Kansas and a Master of Arts in Education Policy and Administration from Stanford University.

Ann Zimmerman

Special Projects Consultant, The DeBruce Foundation

Karin ChangAnn Zimmerman has supported the work of non-profits for over 30 years. Currently, she works as a project manager with The DeBruce Foundation creating innovative strategies for career exploration and the KC STEM Alliance as the STEM Ecosystem Coordinator.
Ann has a background in strategic planning and marketing, leadership and program development, event management, fundraising and governance education. As a skilled facilitator, problem solver and communicator, she thrives on building consensus and moving organizations forward. In 2011, she was part of the planning team to develop the KC STEM Alliance and has helped that organization grow to serve thousands of students in the KC metro area.
Ann has a Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy and a Master’s in Health Sciences Administration from the University of Kansas.

Alicia Dwyer Cianciolo

NASA Aerospace Engineer

Karin ChangDwyer Cianciolo will share the story of her path to a career in a STEAM field which led to robotic missions to Mars and back to the Moon. She will present an overview of NASA’s plan to return people to the Moon this decade. Finally, she will share her experience encouraging her daughters and other young women and men to consider STEAM fields though coaching FIRST Lego League robotics teams, being a Microsoft Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) volunteer and sharing enthusiasm for space exploration because it really is amazing!

Dr. Nettrice R. Gaskins

Digital Artist

Dr. Nettrice R. GaskinsDr. Nettrice R. Gaskins is an African American digital artist, academic, cultural critic and advocate of STEAM fields. In her work she explores “techno-vernacular creativity” and Afrofuturism. Dr. Gaskins’ work explores how to generate art using algorithms in different ways, especially through coding.

www.nettricegaskins.com

Patti Dobrowolski

CEO, Up Your Creative Genius

Patti DobrowolskiPatti Dobrowolski is CEO of Up Your Creative Genius, a consulting firm that uses visuals and creative processes to help companies and individuals around the world accelerate growth and change. Patti took the stage and gave a TEDx talk that on a bootleg channel (Best of 2015) went viral. Now over 6 million people around the world have seen the value of drawing your future to turn their dreams into reality. As an author, keynote speaker and business consultant for global Fortune 100 companies, Patti’s drawing process has transformed large and small businesses, and taken individuals from goal setters to goal getters. Patti holds an MA in Psychology: Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her large format strategic illustrations grace the walls of Nike, Microsoft Inc, Starbucks, Pepsico, FedEx, Turner Broadcasting, FritoLay North America, Hoffman LaRoche Inc., Coopervision, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USDA and The Seattle Space Needle.

DeBruce FoundationSponsored by the DeBruce Foundation.

Cesar Jung-Harada

Inventor

Cesar Jung-HaradaCesar Jung-Harada (“he”, 1983) is a French-Japanese inventor, environmentalist, entrepreneur and educator living in Hong Kong. Cesar is passionate about ocean exploration and conservation technology, citizen science, design, art, inclusive education and, social entrepreneurship. He holds a Masters in Design Interactions from the Royal College of Arts (UK), was a Researcher and Project Leader at MIT (US), and sailed around the world in 2013-2014. Cesar teaches Design, Architecture and researches marine science at the University of Hong Kong, while running the MakerBay group, the largest innovation space in Hong Kong.

Neal Barbour

Curriculum Designer, Lawrence Arts Center

Neal BarbourOriginally from Spokane, Washington, with a BA in Writing and Video Production from Western Washington University, Neal Barbour has a wide range of experience in the visual arts and education. He has worked in a variety of locations and settings including Chile, Germany, and across the West Coast of the United States. After ten years of itinerant artistry, Neal moved to Portland, OR to obtain a Master’s in Education with concentrations in Art and English from Portland University. Beyond teaching secondary school, he has created and facilitated programs that have been recognized by the President’s Council on Arts and Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the White-Riley-Peterson Fellowship, among others. He has worked with the Lawrence Arts Center’s education team as Director of Education, curriculum specialist, and all-around arts education virtuoso. At the core of this work is the belief that education can be student-centered, fun, and encourage life-long learning.

Marian McClellan

Program Consultant – KC STEM Alliance

Marian McClellanMarian McClellan is a Chemical Engineer with 30 years of management experience at Rockwell International, The Boeing Company, and BP. She currently serves as a consultant to the KC STEM Alliance as a gender diversity specialist.
She divides her time between working in the KC area and running a horse farm in Osceola, Missouri. She is an avid fisher, hunter and horse trainer. Wherever she is, she uses her Engineering background to support students and teachers who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. It is her life’s work.

Dr. Debbie Berebichez

Physicist, TV host

Debbie Berebichez Deborah Berebichez is the first Mexican woman to graduate from Stanford University with a PhD in Physics, and she uses her education and background to make science approachable to a wide range of audiences. Deborah’s work in science education and outreach has been recognized by the WSJ, Oprah, TED, DLD, WIRED, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and others. She has recently been recognized as an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador for inspiring and empowering young women to learn science and to improve the state of STEM education in the world.

Karin Chang, Ph.D.

Associate Director, UMKC Urban Education Research Center

Karin Chang has more than 20 years of experience in Kansas City helping educational organizations meet a wide range of evaluation, needs assessment and research needs. In the Kansas City region, she has partnered with over 40 school districts and charter schools, community colleges, economic development organizations and the state Departments of Education in Kansas and Missouri. Her expertise spans the P-20 educational continuum, including early childhood, K-16 STEM learning, adult education and workforce development.

Previously, Karin served at Executive Director of the KC Area Education Research Consortium which focused on critical educational issues in the Kansas City region. She earned a doctorate in education research and psychology from the University of Kansas and a Master of Arts in Education Policy and Administration from Stanford University.

Ann Zimmerman

Special Projects Consultant, The DeBruce Foundation

Ann Zimmerman has supported the work of non-profits for over 30 years. Currently, she works as a project manager with The DeBruce Foundation creating innovative strategies for career exploration and the KC STEM Alliance as the STEM Ecosystem Coordinator.
Ann has a background in strategic planning and marketing, leadership and program development, event management, fundraising and governance education. As a skilled facilitator, problem solver and communicator, she thrives on building consensus and moving organizations forward. In 2011, she was part of the planning team to develop the KC STEM Alliance and has helped that organization grow to serve thousands of students in the KC metro area.
Ann has a Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy and a Master’s in Health Sciences Administration from the University of Kansas.

Alicia Dwyer Cianciolo

NASA Aerospace Engineer

Dwyer Cianciolo will share the story of her path to a career in a STEAM field which led to robotic missions to Mars and back to the Moon. She will present an overview of NASA’s plan to return people to the Moon this decade. Finally, she will share her experience encouraging her daughters and other young women and men to consider STEAM fields though coaching FIRST Lego League robotics teams, being a Microsoft Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) volunteer and sharing enthusiasm for space exploration because it really is amazing!

Dr. Nettrice R. Gaskins

Digital Artist

Dr. Nettrice R. Gaskins is an African American digital artist, academic, cultural critic and advocate of STEAM fields. In her work she explores “techno-vernacular creativity” and Afrofuturism. Dr. Gaskins’ work explores how to generate art using algorithms in different ways, especially through coding.

www.nettricegaskins.com

Patti Dobrowolski

CEO, Up Your Creative Genius

Patti Dobrowolski is CEO of Up Your Creative Genius, a consulting firm that uses visuals and creative processes to help companies and individuals around the world accelerate growth and change. Patti took the stage and gave a TEDx talk that on a bootleg channel (Best of 2015) went viral. Now over 6 million people around the world have seen the value of drawing your future to turn their dreams into reality. As an author, keynote speaker and business consultant for global Fortune 100 companies, Patti’s drawing process has transformed large and small businesses, and taken individuals from goal setters to goal getters. Patti holds an MA in Psychology: Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her large format strategic illustrations grace the walls of Nike, Microsoft Inc, Starbucks, Pepsico, FedEx, Turner Broadcasting, FritoLay North America, Hoffman LaRoche Inc., Coopervision, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USDA and The Seattle Space Needle.

DeBruce FoundationSponsored by the DeBruce Foundation.

Cesar Jung-Harada

Inventor

Cesar Jung-Harada (“he”, 1983) is a French-Japanese inventor, environmentalist, entrepreneur and educator living in Hong Kong. Cesar is passionate about ocean exploration and conservation technology, citizen science, design, art, inclusive education and, social entrepreneurship. He holds a Masters in Design Interactions from the Royal College of Arts (UK), was a Researcher and Project Leader at MIT (US), and sailed around the world in 2013-2014. Cesar teaches Design, Architecture and researches marine science at the University of Hong Kong, while running the MakerBay group, the largest innovation space in Hong Kong.

Neal Barbour

Curriculum Designer, Lawrence Arts Center

Originally from Spokane, Washington, with a BA in Writing and Video Production from Western Washington University, Neal Barbour has a wide range of experience in the visual arts and education. He has worked in a variety of locations and settings including Chile, Germany, and across the West Coast of the United States. After ten years of itinerant artistry, Neal moved to Portland, OR to obtain a Master’s in Education with concentrations in Art and English from Portland University. Beyond teaching secondary school, he has created and facilitated programs that have been recognized by the President’s Council on Arts and Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the White-Riley-Peterson Fellowship, among others. He has worked with the Lawrence Arts Center’s education team as Director of Education, curriculum specialist, and all-around arts education virtuoso. At the core of this work is the belief that education can be student-centered, fun, and encourage life-long learning.

Marian McClellan

Program Consultant – KC STEM Alliance

Marian McClellan is a Chemical Engineer with 30 years of management experience at Rockwell International, The Boeing Company, and BP. She currently serves as a consultant to the KC STEM Alliance as a gender diversity specialist.
She divides her time between working in the KC area and running a horse farm in Osceola, Missouri. She is an avid fisher, hunter and horse trainer. Wherever she is, she uses her Engineering background to support students and teachers who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. It is her life’s work.

Dr. Debbie Berebichez

Physicist, TV host

Deborah Berebichez is the first Mexican woman to graduate from Stanford University with a PhD in Physics, and she uses her education and background to make science approachable to a wide range of audiences. Deborah’s work in science education and outreach has been recognized by the WSJ, Oprah, TED, DLD, WIRED, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and others. She has recently been recognized as an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador for inspiring and empowering young women to learn science and to improve the state of STEM education in the world.

Select a session below to view

Alicia Dwyer Cianciolo - Moonshot for the Next Generation

Dwyer Cianciolo shares the story of her path to a career in a STEAM field which led to robotic missions to Mars and back to the Moon. She presents an overview of NASA’s plan to return people to the Moon this decade. Finally, she shares her experience encouraging her daughters and other young women and men to consider STEAM fields though coaching FIRST Lego League robotics teams, being a Microsoft Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) volunteer and sharing enthusiasm for space exploration because it really is amazing!

Artemis Program

Engineer Girl Profile

Meet Alicia Dwyer Cianciolo 

Debbie Berebichez - Changing the World One Equation at a Time

Expansion Session: STEAM Resources for Families

Nettrice Gaskins - Culturally Relevant Making and STEAM

Join Nettrice Gaskins to explore forwarding the field of youth engagement in culturally relevant STEM/STEAM education. This session will support educators, change-makers, innovators as they take part in exploring and learning innovative strategies for activating the underrepresented learners in their communities.

The Future is STEAM-Y, But what about Inclusion? | TEDxFenway
nettricegaskins.com 

Ann Zimmerman and Karin Chang - Jumpstart Your Career- Leveraging the Agilities and Essential Skills

A recent study show that young people learn important job ready skills during out of school activities, affirming the role of after school providers in helping youth prepare for future careers. Learn more about the Agility Advantage framework and how awareness of the Agilities, work strengths and interests, can help individuals explore potential careers. Participants will also get a “first look” at results of a survey of young professionals that identified the Essential Skills needed to be successful in any job. Spoiler alert – After school time is key!

 

The DeBruce Foundation
Agilities Resources 
Agile Work Profiler & Career Exploration Tools 
UMKC Urban Education Research Center 

Expansion Session: STEAM Resources for Programs

Patti Dobrowolski - Draw Your Future with Agilities

Are you (or the young people you work with) feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about your future? You are not alone! Join us for a fun interactive drawing experience that will give you insight to your Agilities, which are your strengths and interests; and help you envision and step into the future you’ve always desired. (And you don’t even need to know how to draw!) This goal setting activity is valuable for anyone looking to make positive change and can effectively be used with young people starting to think about their future career. Participants are encouraged to attend the Leveraging the Agilities + Essential Skills session on Day I or take the Agile Work Profiler at www.agilities.org prior to the session.

Sponsored by the DeBruce Foundation


Draw Your Futures Template (Printable)   
Agilities Resources 
Agile Work Profiler & Career Exploration Tools 

Expansion Session: STEAM Engagement

Cesar Harada and Neal Barbour - Student Centered STEAM

Join innovative educators Neal Barbour and Cesar Jung-Harada in a lively panel that explores how to engage young learners and their communities by meeting them where they’re at. Learn about all the glorious successes and beautiful failures the two have gained along the bumpy path of student centered learning. Included will be connections to resources for young learners and program directors, brief challenges, as well as a question and answer period where anything goes.

How I Teach Kids to Love Science | TED Fellows Retreat 
Lawrence Arts Center  

Marian McClellan - Closing the Gender Gap in STEM, Starting With K-12

Expansion Session: STEAM Trends