Have you ever wanted to demystify science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) principles through fun projects? Have you ever thought, there must be an easier way to learn emerging technologies (how do I know it’s form a reputable source)? Or, have you ever wondered how to make sense of available STEM information? These were some of the questions we asked ourselves and some of the problems we encountered while learning about emerging technologies. The result of our discussions: we formed STEM 3000 in 2017 shortly after being accepted to present at SXSW 2018. We are futurists who started STEM 3000 to teach students of all ages emerging STEM technologies like Artificial Intelligence, 3-D printing, Internet of Things, etc.
Our goal is to expose students of all ages to a variety of innovative technologies and empower them with newfound knowledge and skills. Our hope is that students of all ages will continue exploring a particular topic(s) on their own and perhaps one day be a contributing expert in an emerging STEM field.
Matt Sparks is the CEO and a co-founder of STEM 3000. He’s an entrepreneur, writer, teacher, and inventor living in Austin, Texas. He has a BA in Literature and an MBA in Entrepreneurship. Growing up in the family video arcade business, by age seven he could beat anyone in Iowa on the game Defender… while playing solely with his feet. He soon began fixing and programming games, and now he’s focused on VR, AR, MR, and AI as training tools; educational games; and his various ventures, projects, and inventions. He writes a blog on various topics and a monthly column on VR and AI in e-Learning, and he’s written multiple books as well. When he’s not rock climbing, gardening, or traveling, he’s exploring how new technologies are changing how we teach, learn, and think.
Jennifer G. Gallegos is co-founder of STEM 3000, an educational company that builds products geared towards teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to students of all ages. Previously, Gallegos worked as an engineer with roles in design, sales, and marketing. Gallegos recently started a blog where she writes about exponential technologies and their relevance to our daily lives. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering with a minor in Spanish from Stanford University and a Master’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. When Gallegos is not busy working on cool projects, you can find her climbing at the local rock gym, practicing yoga, or traveling to new places.