2023 Infy Makers
Awards Contest

Jessica Chaney is a filmmaker and STEAM educator. From 2015-2022, Jessica Chaney managed CLOUD901 Teen Learning Lab, Memphis Public Library’s social, creative, production, research, and performance technology lab for youth ages 13-18. CLOUD901 provides access to top-of-the-line technology and training for youth. The CLOUD901 team has garnered national attention, including a 2021 feature in Smithsonian magazine. CLOUD901 participants have become activists, creators, and leaders in their community. She recently transitioned to Teen Services Coordinator for Memphis Public Libraries. Jessica now works with library representatives across the system to design and implement dynamic programming opportunities and resources to youth.

Amy Kavalewitz Dern is an accomplished leader in the field of engineering education and innovation, known for her exceptional contributions to the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK), which is an expansive academic makerspace at Rice University. Amy's educational foundation is built on a solid bedrock of knowledge and leadership. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and Master of Science in Adult Education from Penn State University. As the Executive Director and Director of Strategic Initiatives of the OEDK, Amy has contributed to many of the processes and procedures needed to manage the utilization for the makerspace. Under her guidance, the OEDK has evolved into a premiere destination for budding engineers and designers to translate their ideas into tangible prototypes. Her leadership has led to the expansion of the OEDK's facilities, resources, and programs.

Lisa Regalla, PhD, is the CEO of Regallium Consulting, LLC. Her consulting practice focuses on bridging the gap between research and practice to support innovative learning environments for children of all ages. Recent clients include: NCWIT, NGCP, The Lemelson Foundation, San Francisco Unified School District, and Techbridge Girls. She also is the Project Director for an IMLS grant, The New Face of Library Makerspaces. Previously, Lisa served as the Director of STEM Learning & Innovation at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, the Deputy Director at Maker Ed, and the Manager of Science Content & Outreach for the SciGirls children’s television series at Twin Cities Public Television. As the project manager of several national outreach initiatives throughout her career, Lisa has experience planning, leading, and evaluating initiatives focused on building and sustaining quality, student-driven learning environments. Lisa received a BS in Chemistry and a BA in Theater before earning her PhD in Chemistry. In 2011, she received a Daytime Emmy Award for her work on SciGirls and the Rising Star Award from the Women Chemists Committee of the American Chemical Society for her work to promote gender equity in STEM.

Kenneth Mims has been a professional STEM educator for over twenty years, teaching robotics, computer programming, and physical science courses. He is the founder and CEO of the Neurodiversity Education Research Center (NERC). NERC operates Science Prep Academy Micro-School Network, an Amazon Future Engineer private Middle and High School for autistic students in Metro Phoenix, Arizona.

He has traveled the world, specializing in STEM educational solutions and promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM education and workforce development. Mims calls education the most critical issue facing the world. Preparing young people for success in life is not just a social responsibility but is a prerequisite for economic development.

Funded by the Department of Energy, Mr. Mims was selected to be a 2019 Albert Einstein Legislative Fellow on Capitol Hill. Mims obtained a BS in physics from Hampton University and completed his Master’s in Science Education at Georgia State University. He is a 2012 Marshall Memorial Fellow (MMF) and 2014 Hope Street Group National Teacher Fellow. Currently, Mims is on the Board of Directors at the Valley of the Sun YMCA.

Corey is a teacher, learner and maker. Corey has over a decade of experience teaching science in high school classrooms. As an extension of this interest in science, he taught himself electronics, and then to program with Arduino. When the school where he taught installed a Fab Lab, Corey learned how to use the machines through experimentation. Then was in the second American Picademy in San Mateo, California. He was one of a tiny number of active teachers to ever attempt and graduate from Fab Academy, the intensive course from the Fab Foundation. He used these skills to push students to design their own musical instruments, circuit boards, furniture and much more in his Engineering courses, Science Olympiad and First Robotics club.

With an educator’s perspective in the Fab Lab world, Corey Has presented at the Fab13 Conference in Santiago, Chile; the FAB xLive conference, Fab Play, and many state and regional education and technology conferences. He has run professional development for teachers learning how to use digital fabrication tools and technology in general. Corey is also writing a learning management system to guide students of all ages through learning Fab Lab skills, with specific instructional guidance based on their experience and locally available resources.

Technology is transforming our lives. How can we equip young people today with the skills they need to create their best digital tomorrow?

Though it is now part of everyday life, technology is at risk of being another tool to perpetuate social and economic inequity. It is essential to create more opportunities, so diverse perspectives can influence the creation of solutions that can shape the future for the better.

The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized device that brings coding to life in the real world. This easy-to-use and affordable learning tool helps children get creative with technology, so they can build the skills and understanding needed to shape their future digital world. The Micro:bit Educational Foundation supports educators around the world to inspire young people, particularly girls and those from under-represented groups.

Gareth Stockdale, CEO of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, believes in the transformational power of education and the need to equip all children today with the skills that they will need to succeed and transform the world in the coming decades. As former Head of Operations for BBC Education, Gareth was the joint project lead for the initial micro:bit project in 2016. Prior to the BBC, Gareth worked for Twofour, using digital media to enhance education and training.

Ariam Mogos leads emerging technology initiatives at Stanford's Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school), where she helps students and educators design with emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, and shapes conversations around the tech’s ethical implications on humans and the natural world. Her design work and research also investigates the ways that technology can foster playful learning experiences that bridge communities and cultures. She has worked across Africa, Asia, the United States and Europe, with her work in Kenya and Spain leveraging game design as a vehicle to address conflict between young people from diverse backgrounds. Her past work includes the development and assessment of learning technologies with UNICEF, the Kenyan government, and the LEGO Foundation. Mogos enjoys working with young makers, as well, facilitating creative learning experiences in local libraries and recreation centers. Mogos’ work around digital learning and inclusion has been recognized by Mozilla and Fast Company, and she is a National Geographic Explorer.