Creating ••• at • a ••• Distance
No. 28 • 2021-02-05
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A biweekly newsletter from ExCITe Center Director Youngmoo Kim about novel creative & collaborative works in the time of social distancing, focusing on Philadelphia. Much of it involves tech, but not all of it.

STEAMshop 2021

Followers of this newsletter know that I frame my work not in terms of STEM, but rather STEAM: Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, and Math. But STEAM is much more than simply exposure to the different disciplines; it's the potential of better research, learning, creative work, and even products through the integration of disciplines. As you've probably noticed, I'm a strong advocate for learning about STEM concepts through creative work. This framework forms the core of the ExCITe Center's activities, and since 2015 we've hosted an annual workshop on Presidents' Day for educators in the region to highlight exemplary transdisciplinary work in education.

Our upcoming 7th Annual STEAM Education Workshop on February 15 (9am-12pm) will be a little different. First off, it will be all-virtual. Second, this year's event will focus on specific integrations spanning learning science, pedagogical practice, racial equity, and social justice. I am thrilled that the program will feature a keynote by renowned author and researcher, Dr. Bettina Love (University of Georgia), co-founder of the Abolitionist Teaching Network, who will address an audience of those in Pre-K-12 as well as higher education:

We Gon’ Be Alright, But That Ain’t Alright: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom
Dr. Love’s talk will discuss the struggles and the possibilities of committing ourselves to an abolitionist goal of educational freedom, as opposed to reform, and moving beyond what she calls the educational survival complex. Abolitionist Teaching is built on the creativity, imagination, boldness, ingenuity, and rebellious spirit and methods of abolitionists to demand and fight for an educational system where all students are thriving, not simply surviving.

The program also includes brief presentations and a panel discussion with Drexel faculty. Participation is free and ACT 48 credits are available for Pennsylvania teachers. All are welcome to register here (the event is free, although space is limited).

Dr. Love’s talk is brought to you through the generous support of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Center for Black Culture, the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, the Office of Research & Innovation, the Office of University & Community Partnerships, the School of Education, West Philadelphia Action for Early Learning, and the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.

Some additional commitments this term have impacted my publishing schedule, which have slipped from Wednesdays by a day or two. Expect future newsletters to be posted on Thursdays or Fridays.

(Socially) Distant Creations

  • Caledonia [Stay at Home Choir with VOCES8] I've been really looking forward to this latest collaboration between our friends VOCES8 and the many thousand-member Stay at Home Choir! Premieres Feb. 6 at 1:30pm (for the US Eastern Time Zone). 

  • Save the Boys [Opera Philadelphia Channel] Wow, Opera Philadelphia is really nailing this streaming thing.... This is the first of four digital commissions set to debut on the channel in 2021. Newark-born Composer in Residence Tyshawn Sorey, premieres a new work inspired by an 1887 poem by abolitionist, writer and Black women’s rights activist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (premieres Feb. 12).

  • Virtual Choirs & Orchestras [Alternative Classical] A nice summary of virtual singing and instrumental ensemble opportunities. It's focused on the UK, but when you're collaborating virtually, national borders have little meaning.
  • Eye of the Tiger [Jared Halley] Another great one-man a cappella performance from this prolific YouTuber. A classic 80s tune associated with Philly's most famous fictional athlete (it's from Rocky III).

  • NFL 2020 [Bad Lip Reading] In honor of this weekend's Super Bowl… there's always something for everyone in Bad Lip Reading's videos. They also sometimes make music videos, like this classic.

What I'm creating…

I mentioned the videos I'm creating for my class this term, Applied Digital Signal Processing (DSP), a senior-level undergraduate engineering course. Ultimately these will form a "video textbook" for this class, but those of you really interested in DSP can check out the first 5 episodes here.

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