STEAM Spark - Think STEAM Careers, Podcast with Dr. Olufade
STEAM Spark: Think STEAM Careers Podcast with Dr. Olufade. Welcome to STEAM Sparks: The Think STEAM Career Podcast, hosted by Dr. Ayo Olufade. Our mission is to raise awareness about the importance of pursuing college and careers in STEAM fields and the positive impact they can have on BIPOC communities.
Dr. Ayo's journey, fueled by his passion for STEAM education, lies at the heart of this podcast. His experiences and meaningful conversations with guests from STEM and STEAM backgrounds inspire us to highlight the significance of STEM education and careers as sources of empowerment. We aim to better position the next generation for success.
By sharing personal stories and experiences, we hope to inspire and encourage our audience to consider STEAM careers. We are committed to promoting diversity and representation of BIPOC communities in the STEM field, breaking stereotypes, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone's unique perspective is valued.
Join us as we explore the endless possibilities and opportunities in STEAM fields. With your participation and support, let's work together to shape a brighter future for all.
#ThinkSTEAMCareers #BeInspired #BeAnInspiration
It is time to innovate!
Dr. Ayo Olufade, Host STEAM Sparks: Think STEAM Careers Podcast with Dr. Olufade
Episodes
58 episodes
What If The Pioneers We Ignored Never Persisted?
A single blue dot on your phone hides a lifetime of math. We pay tribute to Dr. Gladys West, the mathematician whose modeling of Earth made GPS accurate and reliable across oceans, cities, deserts, and runways. From humanitarian air drops to pr...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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18:48
We Pause To Celebrate The Woman Whose Calculations Power Your Maps, Weather Apps, And ATMs
A single life can quietly reshape the world. We pause to honor Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose precision turned satellite signals into the GPS foundation that powers maps, weather tracking, logistics, finance, and emergency ...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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3:32
How Early Safety Testing Can Save Lives And Billions
Most new medicines fail long before they help a single patient. We dig into a bold idea: what if hidden contamination, not weak efficacy, silently derails far too many trials—and what if human immune cell tests could spot danger early enough to...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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1:27:15
How AI, Culture, And Policy Can Transform Education Across Africa
A quiet revolution is unfolding across African classrooms, and it’s not just about new gadgets. We explore how AI-powered personalized learning, bold policy, and cultural leadership can come together to build a durable foundation for students—e...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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6:47
Stop Sitting On The Fence And Start Using AI Today
The world didn’t pause for electricity, assembly lines, or the internet—and it won’t pause for AI. We walk through the leap from mechanical power to connected intelligence and make a clear case: if you’re still on the fence, it’s time to get in...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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17:37
AI Won’t Replace Your Brilliance; It Will Amplify It
The ground is moving beneath our feet again, and this time the shift is powered by AI, cloud, and always-on connectivity. We draw a straight line from earlier industrial revolutions to today’s reality and make a simple promise: you do not need ...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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30:17
AI Won’t Steal Your Job, But Your Nap Might
The ground is shifting under our feet, and the safest move is no longer staying put. We’re at a new industrial crossroads where fluency with AI isn’t a party trick—it’s the baseline for doing high-impact work. In this energetic, practical walkt...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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3:51
Learning AI Isn’t Optional Anymore If You Want To Keep Working;
The ground is shifting: not because AI replaces everyone, but because people who master AI are doing the work of three. We open with real layoffs and consolidations, then move into the choices that keep you employable—learning fast, building wo...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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1:35:17
Justice AI GPT: Rewriting How Machines Learn Fairness
What if machine intelligence didn’t just sound balanced but actually re-learned the world from the roots up? We sit down with tech activist and creator of Justice AI GPT, Christian Ortiz, to explore how a decolonial framework can detect, decons...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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1:14:39
From Struggling Student to STEM Innovator: Dr. Javis Sulcer's Journey and the Mission to Democratize Education
How did Dr. Javis Sulcer transform from a high school student with a 1.8 GPA to a PhD holder in nuclear science and engineering and the co-founder and COO of LINGO? Join us for an inspiring conversation where Dr. Sulcer opens up about his journ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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41:45
From Academia to Entrepreneurship: Fighting Pharmaceutical Contamination
What if the staggering 90% failure rate in pharmaceutical clinical trials isn't due to ineffective drugs but undetected contaminants? Dr.
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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1:27:15
Without NSF funding, we lose the next generation of American innovation.
Dr. Adriana Bankston shares her expertise on advocating for science and research at the federal level, explaining why NSF funding remains crucial for America's competitive edge in innovation and STEM development. She provides a congressional in...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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40:34
The Mentor's Legacy: Building STEM Bridges
What if the solutions to our world's most pressing challenges are locked in the minds of children who have yet to discover their potential? Jeff Remington, a Presidential Award-winning educator and Penn State outreach liaison, thinks so.
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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1:09:44
The Intersection of Chemistry, Entrepreneurship & STEM Advocacy with Savanah Saldaña-Shumaker
This episode shines a light on the journey of Savanah Saldaña-Shumaker, a chemist and entrepreneur who successfully bridges STEM and entrepreneurship and finds inspiration in the performing arts passions. She emphasizes the importance of mentor...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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1:11:14
Empowering Future Innovators: Dr. Amrita Madabushi's Mission to Transform STEM Education and Mentorship
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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55:43
Ten Principles of Storytelling with Jay Pascua: STEAM Spark Podcast
Explore the transformative power of storytelling with Jay Pascua as he shares insights on the importance of narratives in personal and cultural identity. The episode emphasizes how everyone has a story that can inspire and connect us, highlight...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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1:12:17
Embracing the Inner Nerd: Michael Taylor’s Journey from Geeky Pastimes to Transformative STEM Education at NASA
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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42:17
Catalyzing Change: Cathy Derksen’s Journey to Empowering Women Leaders in STEM
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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33:26
From Cultural Memory to STEAM Innovation
Prepare to rethink what you know about civil rights, cultural memory, and STEAM as we engage with Dr. Imhotep, a passionate memory consultant, in a powerful exploration of empowering African-descended communities. Discover how reimagining terms...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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39:01
Unearthing African Heritage: Cultural Memory, Empowering Women, and Rethinking Black Identity
What if the key to a more equitable future lies in understanding our past through cultural memory? This episode promises to transform your perspective on African history and identity, featuring insights from our esteemed guest, Dr. Nagos M. Hot...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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1:17:59
Empowering Latina Women in STEAM: Unlikely Heroes, Mentors, and the Power of Early Exposure
Can early exposure to STEAM fields for young girls truly change the trajectory of their lives? Angelica Carroll, a renowned podcaster and author, joins us to answer this pressing question and more. This episode shines a powerful spotlight on th...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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37:15
Journey of a Late Bloomer: Innovative Approaches to Diversity and Mentorship in Tech & STEM Fields – PART TWO
What are the real barriers to diversity and inclusion in STEM, and how can mentorship make a difference? This episode features an enlightening conversation with our expert guest, who reveals the indispensable role of female mentors in guiding w...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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28:47
Journey of a Late Bloomer: Passionate for STEAM Education and Careers and Mentorship – PART ONE
Ever wondered how fostering a love for science can change lives? Join our conversation with the phenomenal Dr. Gladys Delancey-Bolden, an expert in molecular cell and physiology, as she shares her inspiring journey from an educator to the found...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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33:42
From Family Milestones to the Frontier of Space: Fostering a Universal Legacy Through Innovation and Education
When a milestone as monumental as becoming a grandparent occurs, it's not just a family that transforms—it can be the catalyst for groundbreaking innovation. That's precisely the journey our esteemed guest, a former IT wizard turned grandparent...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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38:38