Welcome to STEAMSparks – the hub for STEAM Careers Podcast, highlighting science, tech, engineering, arts, and math in underrepresented areas. I'm Dr. Ayo Ol…
3:0542 views · 3d ago · 3:05
I woke up this morning with a simple melody quietly playing in my mind. It was an unhurried, repetitive hum that wouldn’t let go: "Do you know I love you? Do you know that I love you?" It carried its own distinct cadence—rhythmic, persistent, and full of peace.
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1:14:37918 views · 4mo ago · 1:14:37
Guests: Architecting Infrastructure Sovereignty, Vertical Hydroelectric
Right now, we are locked in an explosive global AI arms race. Tech giants are scrambling to build high-density data centers that demand unprecedented grid power and evaporate millions of gallons of water daily. The routine, day-to-day AI queries account for 80% to 90% of this staggering energy demand, with a single generative search consuming up to 10 times as much energy as a legacy keyword search.
Topics: 02:07 Pie Shaped Professionals · 02:28 Meet Charles Allen · 03:41 Roots In The Delta · 07:54 Boxtown Turbine Fallout · 11:13 AI Inference Energy Surge · 14:14 Scaling Power With Allen Hydro
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18:1822K views · 6mo ago · 18:18
Today, NASA, the Artemis II crew, and the entire world celebrated a historic milestone. On April 6, 2026, humanity traveled further into the cosmos than ever before. Join Dr. Ayo Olufade for a deep-dive solo episode of STEAM Sparks as we break down the monumental milestones of the NASA Artemis II mission, including what this means for space exploration and why it matters to you.
17:3912K views · 7mo ago · 17:39
Today, NASA, the Artemis II crew, and the entire world celebrated a historic milestone. On April 6, 2026, humanity traveled further into the cosmos than ever before. Join Dr. Ayo Olufade for a deep-dive solo episode of STEAM Sparks as we break down the monumental milestones of the NASA Artemis II mission, including what this means for space exploration and why it matters to you.
53:3513K views · 8mo ago · 53:35
Heat, sweat, fast changes, and two shows a night, most performing artists’ makeups are not built for that. We sat down with chemist and educator Savannah Saldana Shoemaker and performer Michael Jacento Baugh to unpack how a long friendship, a pandemic brainstorm, and a stubborn stage problem turned into Eight Count Cosmetics: a pigment-first palette that holds its color under lights and on every skin tone.
Topics: 02:04 Beyond Beakers Intro · 02:59 Meet The Co-founders · 05:16 Childhood Pen Pals · 08:31 Entrepreneur Mindset · 10:28 Pandemic Spark Idea · 12:19 Chemist To Market Fears
15:5723 views · 9mo ago · 15:57
“Benevolence is not a strategy. However, investment is.” In this episode, Dr. Ayo Olufade (Biochemist, Biotechnologist, Educator in STEAM, Podcaster, and author) uses a simple walnut to posit the Zero-Sum Fallacy in STEAM education and careers.
Topics: 01:41 Introduction and Inspiration · 02:47 The Brain-Like Structure of Walnuts · 03:52 Introducing the Zero-Sum Fallacy in STEAM · 06:46 Advocating for DEI in STEAM · 12:20 The Importance of Structural Fairness · 14:45 Future of Innovation and Collaboration
18:4932 views · 9mo ago · 18:49
In this episode of STEAM Spark, Dr. Ayo Olufade pays tribute to Dr. Gladys West, a pioneering mathematician whose work in modeling the Earth’s shape revolutionized GPS technology. Dr. Olufade explains how her contributions have impacted millions worldwide, fostering a sense of pride and admiration in the audience.
Topics: 01:26 Introduction and Quiz · 03:33 Honoring Dr. Gladys West · 10:11 Global Impact of Dr. West’s Work · 14:51 Contributions of Other Black Innovators · 16:51 Reflecting on the Importance of Diversity · 18:48.7 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
4:12240 views · 9mo ago · 4:12
This video was made with Clipchamp “One of our giants has passed away. In this video, we honor the life and monumental legacy of Dr. Gladys West, the mathematician whose work was instrumental in the development of GPS. Without her brilliance, the innovations we rely on today, from transportation and logistics to global finance, agriculture, and emergency services, would be fundamentally limited.
5:389 views · 10mo ago · 5:38
Guest: Dr. Justin Rittenhouse
In this highlight from my conversation with Dr. Justin Rittenhouse on STEAMSparks: Think STEAM Careers, we dive into the why behind his new book, Secret Keys to a STEM Degree. You’ll hear Why your background doesn’t define your future How “just step one” can change everything The truth about AI, internships, and positioning And how Kobe Bryant’s mindset shaped his academic journey
Topics: 00:24 Introduction to the Book · 00:49 Personal Background and Motivation · 01:46 Advice for STEM Students · 02:47 Industry vs Academia · 03:10 Networking and Job-Hunting Tips · 03:42 Personal Anecdotes and Reflections
1:08:2286 views · 10mo ago · 1:08:22
Guest: Dr. Justin Rittenhouse
How do you go from not knowing how to fill out a FAFSA to earning a PhD in mechanical engineering? In this powerful episode, Dr. Ayo Olufade sits down with Dr. Justin Rittenhouse, an engineer, author, and first-gen college graduate, to unpack his journey through education, resilience, and real-world STEM success.
Topics: 1:45 Welcome & Podcast Purpose · 4:10 Meet Dr. Justin Rittenhouse · 7:30 The Book: 'Secret Keys to a STEM Degree' · 11:00 Writing Challenges · 13:00 Advice for Aspiring Authors · 18:00 Student Strategies
📖 Mentioned book: Secret Keys to a STEM Degree
6:4825 views · 11mo ago · 6:48
Welcome to another powerful episode of STEAM Sparks: Think STEAM Careers, where we explore the intersection of education, technology, culture, and innovation in Africa. In this episode, Dr. Ayo Olufade discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) and personalized learning are transforming education across the continent, from rural coding classrooms to virtual science simulations. But more importantly, she challenges us to go beyond technology.
Topics: 00:09 Introduction and Welcome · 00:34 The Future of Education in Africa · 00:52 AI and Customized Learning · 01:45 Revolutionizing Education in African Countries · 02:33 Empowering Stakeholders in Education · 03:34 The Role of National Leaders and Cultural Stewards
📖 Mentioned book: Glucose Goes to the Party
3:5318 views · 1y ago · 3:53
Dear Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Luke Bryan I hope you are doing well. I write today not as someone seeking recognition, but as a father, educator, and global citizen who was deeply moved by a moment I witnessed. Recently, I saw a video of a Sudanese mother crouched in terror, shielding her children as gunfire erupted around them. Her trembling hands, her children’s fear, and her desperate instinct to protect them remain vivid in my mind.
4:184K views · 1y ago · 4:18
Interesting. Today is Halloween, and I wrote this letter with another lyrical tune because I cannot unsee what I saw about the terrified Sudanese Woman. Dear Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Luke Bryan I hope you are doing well.
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