S.T.E.A.M. Carnival Because There Can't Be a S.T.E.M. Carnival

When we hear S.T.E.M. we think positive thoughts about education.  Refocusing kids on what counts.  Science - Technology - Engineering and Mathematics.  It's good.

But, let's admit it.  S.T.E.M. is serious stuff.  It encourages the kids to focus on subject matter that is by no means easy.  We challenge the kids to achieve great results through discipline and hard work.

I can't begin to imagine how a S.T.E.M. carnival might look.  It's too serious.  There's no carnival in S.T.E.M.  What's missing is the Arts.

Enter S.T.E.A.M.

I've been talking a lot about Maker culture and Steampunk culture.  It's fun. It's engaging.  It makes you want to make things and do things.  To dress funny and spend a lot of time imagining crossovers in time and fantasy. 

I've been to meet ups where folks with absolutely no programming or otherwise technical background want to work with the Arduino micro-controller.  I see it often.  They are anticipating the fun.  They want to make things.  They want to create.  And many will, because it is their project, and it is fun.

S.T.E.A.M. is a concept that is energizing education to include the Arts in all that Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  With that comes the bonus letters I and C.  Imagination and Creativity, required for Invention and Innovation.

And the S.T.E.A.M. Carnival

Two Bit Circus is nearing the end of its Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to bring to LA and San Francisco a S.T.E.A.M. Carnival with reinvented versions of hi-tech games.  Amusement reimagined.  Check out the video on the link for some background and examples of the games.

Two Bit Circus

I meant to ask Brent Bushnell, CEO, about the name of the organizing group, Tw o Bit Circus.  I didn't, so I'll hazard a guess:

Two bits is a term in olde America that stood for an amount equaling 25c.
In binary the number two is essential.
A little trivia.  Eight bits (in computing) is a byte.  Four bits (half a byte) is a nibble.  Two bits (half a nibble) is a crumb. Also (from the same Wikipedia reference) 2 bits: crumb, quad, quarter, tayste, tydbit, semi-nibble.
Circus, because they work to bring the entertainment fun to you!

And an interesting note:
The lowest amount that can be donated is $2 (hey, inflation...)
 
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/twobitcircus/steam-carnival-0

(Not So) Aside

I caught up with Brent at the Boyle Heights National Day of Civic Hacking, sponsored by will.i.am’s (the Black Eyed Peas) i.am.angel Foundation, New Economy Campaigns, AT&T., and many members of Tech4Garcetti.

Many LA Area Maker groups were in attendance, including the LA Makerspace, The Exploratory, DeezMaker (Pasadena Maker of 3D Printers), Rolling Robots and Two Bit Circus.

A Blogger's Experience

I had a very interesting (funny) 10 minutes of cross-interviewing with  AT&T Videographer Jaime Moore and Brent Bushnell where Jaime interviewed Brent then I interviewed Brent then Jaime and I introduced ourselves to each other, then we did it again.  The funny part?  No one missed a beat!

Blogging is so much fun!