STEAM Forward Podcast

Season 2, Episode 19: Our host Savannah and Linda Freeman dive into the enriching experiences of GEN2050 summer camp 2024. They also discuss the newest GEN2050 project: the Miami Dade County Youth Biodiversity Network which will be launched in October 2024. Stay tuned to learn more.

Season 2: Episode 18: Our host, Savannah, shares what our GEN2050 Summer Camp day to day schedule will look like, and a little bit about all the different activities and trips that will take place this summer 2024. This year will be the second year of our partnership with the Phillip and Patricia Museum of Science. We have collaborated together to develop and implement a curriculum entitled "The L...

Season 2: Episode 17: Our host, Savannah, shares some background information about Freedom Schools. Originating during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, Freedom Schools emerged as beacons of hope and empowerment for African American communities in the segregated South. These schools, born out of necessity, not only provided academic instruction but also served as centers for cultural pride a...

Season 2, Episode 16: Memorial Day holds profound significance as a day of remembrance for those who have died in military service to the United States. It's a time to honor the sacrifices of service members and their families, reflecting on the freedoms they've defended. Beyond the picnics and sales, it's an opportunity for solemn reflection on the cost of liberty and the debt owed to those who g...

Season 2, Episode 15: Join us on this episode as we celebrate the educators who inspire, mentor, and shape the future generation. Thank you Teachers for all you do!!

Season 2 Episode 14: Host Savannah interviews Karen Johnson, Director of Mental Health Services for PlanBe, discussing Mental Health Awareness during May, Mental Health Month. It involves understanding, supporting, and destigmatizing mental well-being, empowering individuals to seek help. Karen shares coping methods with youth. Find more resources below. https://namimiami.org/ https://988lifeline....

Season 2, Episode 13: Our host Savannah speaks with Dilcia Muñoz, a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide about Forest Bathing, a practice of immersing oneself in nature.  Forest bathing or Shinrin Yoku was developed in Japan over forty years ago as a means of decreasing stress and increasing overall well-being for people of all ages. Dilcia shares how GEN2050 students have applied this mindfulness base...

Season 2 Episode 12: In this episode, we explore Earth Day, celebrated every April 22nd worldwide. It's a crucial reminder to protect our planet, inspiring action for sustainability and environmental stewardship. Earth Day raises awareness and fosters a commitment to safeguarding our planet for generations to come. Our host Savannah shares some exciting news! On Sunday, April 21st at the Philip an...

Season 2, Episode 11: Our host, Savannah, speaks with David Freeman about what GEN2050 summer camp students will be learning in their Futuristic Technology class which will have an emphasis on utilizing AI.  All students and their families will have access to Avatar Buddy again this summer. Avatar Buddy is an AI platform designed specifically for youth. You can learn more about Avatar Buddy by cli...

Season 2 Episode 10: Discover the untold stories of 10 extraordinary women in STEAM! Join us as we highlight their groundbreaking contributions and inspiring journeys in science, technology, engineering, arts & culture, and mathematics.

Season 2, Episode 9: Our host Savannah describes our theme for GEN2050 Summer Camp  2024 “The Land”, using the AI platform, Avatar Buddy,  Savannah shares with the audience some facts about the Land. Avatar Buddy is an AI platform designed  specifically for youth.  This summer, all GEN2050 staff, students, and mentors will be utilizing Avatar Buddy. (https://www.avatarbuddy.ai/)

Season 2, Episode 8: Life is a journey filled with adventures, joys, challenges, and hardships. Every life experience presents opportunities to build character and resilience and to pause for moments of gratitude. In this episode, our podcast host, Savannah, shares three inspiring life stories of motivation and resilience.

Season 1: Episode 7: Sophia LaCroix talks with our host Savannah about her love for art and community service.  A accomplished artist, Sophia serves as a Program Manager at The Green Family Foundation NeighborhoodHelp at Florida International University’s College of Medicine. She shares how the NeighborhoodHelp program provides direct services to families residing in Miami-Dade County. For more in...

Season 2, Episode 5: Luchi Estevez, founder of the La Luchi Foundation and longtime partner of GEN2050, talks about her work with our podcast host, Savannah. Luchi also takes some time to share a meditation and sound bathing demonstration for the podcast audience.

Season 2, Episode 4: Troy Mckalla shares his experiences as a Wildlife Educator at Pelican Harbor Seabird Station in Miami, Florida. Pelican Harbor Seabird Station was founded in 1980 to care for injured brown pelicans and has become an internationally respected seabird rehabilitation center. Troy speaks to children and youth about his passion for wildlife and shares his knowledge on how to behave...

Season 2, Episode 3: Diamond Robins shares her experiences in the Engineering field with our host, Savannah. Diamond graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and is now working on a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. She shares what an Electrical Engineer does and encourages students to keep learning, growing, and persevering through every aspect of...

Our host Savannah and Jamario Childress, Lead Mentor for GEN2050, discuss his experiences working with the students and his expectations for this year’s theme, “The Land”.  Jamario also works in PlanBe as a Lead Educator for the SRAE Program, (Sexual Risk Avoidance Education). Savannah and Jamario also discuss Black History Month and challenges facing African American men today. #blackhistorymonth...

Season 2, Episode 1: In the first podcast of Season 2, our hosts Savannah and Linda Freeman discuss progress at one of our GEN2050 STEAM Module sites, Ojus Elementary School (North Miami Beach, Florida), and the benefits of incorporating student-centered learning principles. Ojus Elementary School's 4th and 5th graders have been working with Savannah and Dr. Lisa Johns since October 2023 to expand...

Season 1, Episode 47: Our host Savannah Travers and Linda Freeman, Director of the STEAM Forward Podcast, share a recap of their favorite episodes, some Christmas stories and memories, and expectations for Season Two of the podcast.

Season 1, Episode 46: Pastor Rich Wilkerson, PhD, Senior Pastor of Trinity Church, shares his life experiences traveling the world as an evangelist and his influence as a mentor to ministry leaders over the course of his fifty year career.

Season 1, Episode 45: Kayley Alcindor, a GEN2050 alumni, shares her experiences and lessons learned as a high school senior applying for college. Recently, she received her college acceptance letter from Louisiana State University, where she would love to pursue a Pharmacy degree. Kayley is awaiting additional acceptance letters from other colleges, including Florida State University. In addition...

Season 1, Episode 44: In this special episode, Linda Freeman, creator of the GEN2050 program, interviews our podcast host Savannah Travers. Here’s a fun fact about Savannah: she was born into a military family stationed in Okinawa, Japan! Currently completing her degree in Education, she loves encouraging teenagers to persevere.

Season 1, Episode 43: Dr. Corey Callaghan, an assistant professor at the University of Florida, shares his love for birding. He explains how birding teaches people about the environment and their local ecosystems. Corey received his Masters Degree at Florida Atlantic University and his PhD from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. For more information, check out his website link...

Season 1, Episode 42: Ms. Andrea Fletcher, Social Work Director at Trinity Church, shares her life experience as a Social Worker, just helping people along the way. Ms. Fletcher received her Bachelors in Business (Public Management) from the State University of New York, a degree in Merchandising and Buying in Boston and last but not least, a Masters Degree in Social Work from Barry University in...

Season 1, Episode 41: Donte Palmer, shares his experience about being a creative, and all about his nonprofit organization called “Squat For Change”. Donte graduated college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he received his degree, a Major in Communication and a Minor in Theater. Donte also shares that “growing up broken does not mean you have to stay there!” For more information on “Sq...