STEAM Chat

STEAM Chat - Episode 8 - Creativity for Fashion - Meet Rachel Washington

Our Art podcast host Sasha Green welcomes local seamstress Rachel Washington to the studio for a chat about fashion creativity in the theatre.
Learn more about Rachel at: https://www.desertducktailoring.com/
I pause to call myself an artist because what I really love about sewing is math and problem solving.
I learned how to sew in summer of 2003 while my elementary school was offering day care classes that taught painting, cooking, and among other crafts, sewing. Since learning how to thread a needle, I immediately started embroidering smiley faces and hearts onto my jeans and taking on projects from scratch. In high school, my electives were centered on sewing as my school offered one of the few high schools level fashion design programs in the state of California. I studied clothing construction and painting simultaneously through high school and college as I enjoyed fulfilling my passion for art and creativity.
 
Since leaving my hometown, my passion has continued as I have either worked for or volunteered for various theater groups, costume companies or have been employed independently as a tailor or seamstress by myself. During the time that I lived in Utah I was also enrolled at Salt Lake City Community College for Fashion Design, which better equipped me with patterning skills and fit troubleshooting knowledge. These jobs together with the study that I have in tailoring has introduced me to many different sewing practices that make me more comfortable and confident in my craft today.
After moving to the Mesquite area, Scenic AZ to be exact, I’ve been inspired by what a welcoming and encouraging place this is to live! My most memorable experience to date has been the amazing time that I had volunteering with Virgin Valley Youth Players at the Mesquite Community Theater in summer of 2022 for two incredible junior productions they produced. Helping their team with their costuming was an absolute joy and I am excited to continue to build a relationship with our local Virgin Valley community!
I believe that tailoring is not a service common to the modern-day wardrobe because as mass manufacturing has crept into our closets, the balance between the cost of the garment and the cost of the alterations has been affected. In addition, overhead prices of other tailors recently has further driven many away from custom alterations. I strive to offer competitive pricing as I work from home with my border collie as my supervisor, surpassing many typical business overhead costs! My goal is to provide the residents of Mesquite and its surrounding areas with the confidence of feeling like their favorite garments were made just for them whether it's making clothing bigger, smaller, repair or customization. I can’t wait to find out what fiber anomaly will grow my skills next and Desert Duck Tailoring is the perfect platform. Thank you for giving this a read.

STEAM Chat - Episode 7 - Engineering - Meet Nicandro Iñiguez Jimenez // Charla STEAM - Episodio 7 - Ingeniería - Conoce a Nicandro Iñiguez Jimenez

Join us as we sit down with Nicandro Iñiguez Jimenez, an electromechanical engineer and operator at SIAPA, the highest governing body of the intermunicipal system of drinking water and sewage services in Mexico. Nicandro discusses the significance of pursuing engineering careers and sheds light on environmental stewardship. Tune in as we delve into his insights on engineering, environmental responsibility, and more. 
 
Únete a nosotros mientras nos sentamos con Nicandro Iñiguez Jimenez, un ingeniero electromecánico y operador en SIAPA, el órgano rector más importante del sistema intermunicipal de servicios de agua potable y alcantarillado en México. Nicandro discute la importancia de seguir carreras en ingeniería y arroja luz sobre la responsabilidad ambiental. Sintonízanos mientras exploramos sus ideas sobre ingeniería, responsabilidad ambiental y más.

STEAM Chat - Episode 5 - Building STEAM at NASA - Meet Shannon McConnell

Mesquite Works STEAM Chat was honored to host Shannon McConnell for a stimulating conversation about her career journey at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab that cemented her love for STEM education which then culminated in her appointment as the Education and Public Engagement Lead for NASA’s Deep Space Network.
We talk about the many projects she was part of: Magellan, Space Shuttle, Cassini, TOPEX/Poseidon, Galileo,
also artificial intelligence, her lead role in NASA collaboration with K-12 education and why there could be no STEA without Mathematics.
Learn more about Shannon: https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/we-are-nasa-shannon-mcconnell-education-public-engagement-lead-nasas-deep-space-network-dsn/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-mcconnell-96a8a530/
https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/team-archive/shannon-mcconnell/

STEAM Chat - Episode 6 - Why there MUST be Art in STEM (STEAM)? - Thank you Nancy Good

We recently interviewed an amazing artist, Nancy Good, who also holds an adjunct processor postion in a medical school. This prompted us to ask her why is Art a key component in Science? We are using this exerpt from her full podcast as a quicke STEAM Chat episode. 
You can learn more about Nancy at her web site: https://www.corecontemporary.com/about.html
You can listen to Nancy's full Art Box episode here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-six9c-1558e73

STEAM Chat - Episode 4 - Meet STEAM Director Nikki Meador

Let's talk STEAM, with Director Nikki Meador.

STEAM Chat - Episode 3 - Dabbling in Traditional Art - Meet Cameron Sullivan

YAY! STEAM Chat has an Art host, Sasha Green, a student at Jimmie Hughs Middle School, talented artist and an accomplished performing artist with the Virgin Valley Theatre Group and Virgin Valley High School. Sasha sits down on her first podcast (no pressure or anything) with Cameron Sullivan, a Jr at VVHS for a rousing talk about creativity and art in all conceivable forms. Put the headphones on, sit back and enjoy some fun art chat. 
We are looking for five more student hosts to round out our STEAM - We need science, technology, engineering, agriculture and math. 

STEAM Chat - Episode 2 - Meet the STEAM Center Manager Denisse Jimenez

In Episode 2 of STEAM Chat podcast we sit down with the STEAM Center Manager, computer wiz and bundle of energy Denisse Jimenez. A graduate of Utah Tech Denisse lends her technology prowess to all things STEM + A. You will be hearing much more from Denisse in the coming months. 

STEAM Chat - Episode 1 - Meet STEAM Center Founders Ann and Burton Weast

Welcome to our the first episode of STEAM Chat with Mesquite Works STEAM Center founders Ann and Burton Weast. 
Since 2016 our loving neighbors Ann and Burton Weast have used their energy and skills to help our community find jobs with Mesquite Works. Now Partnering with George Gault they are placing Mesquite on the educational map with their creation "The Mesquite Works STEAM Center" a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Center that also includes key elements of Art and Agriculture. The mission of the STEAM Center is:
Our mission as the Mesquite STEAM Center is to engage students with hands-on learning within the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Students will have the opportunity to learn the necessary skills to find success within their future professions and academic pursuits. 
Our STEAM Center students will be hosting STEAM themed podcasts to bring science, technology, engineering, agriculture, art and math subjects to our listeners. Stay tuned as STEAM Community Radio is also in the works.
Settle back and listen to two Mesquite wonders Ann and Burton.