"Our mission...is to expose kids to STEM and STEAM, and to have those 'aha' moments in (every program we sponsor)," says Scientech Foundation of Indiana President Jeff Rasley.

Those programs which they fund, through their grants, include robotics, maker spaces, and a program which actually teaches physics to preschoolers!

On their website, the Scientech Foundation states their mission as "supporting education programs in engineering, science, technology, medicine, and related fields", throughout the state.

But since he's been on board, Jeff says, the Foundation's support has expanded to STEAM education programs. He and several other members implemented the addition, giving grants to educational organizations in the arts, as well.

"Fascinating"

One of these arts programs, which Jeff describes as "fascinating", is the Center for the Performing Arts' "Science of Light & Sound" presentation, which happened in May.

The Foundation also currently sponsors two VEX Robotics teams, as well as a mobile science unit for local Girl Scouts, and some summer science camps, among their grantees.

In 2024, according to their website, the Scientech Foundation gave grants totaling $141,000 to both STEM and STEAM educational programs. They list their 2025 grants budget as $170,000.

And Jeff says they will be discussing grant applications for 2026 in October.

Jeff brings a unique background as an author, adventurer and philanthropist to his work with the Foundation. He's also the President of nonprofit Basa Village Foundation, as well as Coordinator and organizer of Himalayan treks & tours through award-winning travel agency Adventure GeoTreks.

And he has published 17 books so far--and offers coaching services to fellow writers! (Here's the link to his most recent book, the novella Presbyterian vs. Methodist Youth Groups Rumble in Pokagon Park.)

Jeff discussed his background, offered a closer look at some of the programs which the Scientech Foundation of Indiana supports and talked about what's next.

"'Wow' doesn't happen by chance," explains tech pioneer, human-centric AI consultant and author/speaker/podcast host Elizabeth Bieniek, in her book Cake on Tuesday: 25 Lessons to Unlock Corporate Innovation.

And, Elizabeth says, "corporate" or not, we're all innovators.

Elizabeth built and led the team that created the groundbreaking Webex Hologram holographic collaboration system, in 2021. In Cake on Tuesday, she shares the lessons she learned, along the way. And while these are about leading a pioneering team of technological innovators, the principles could every bit as easily be applied to your next creative project.

Getting started, keeping the project going, and especially, building in the "wow!" element, for anyone who experiences what you've created, are all areas Elizabeth explores in Cake on Tuesday.

So are the elements of playfulness and fun.

"Do we (have to be serious)?" she asks, at one point, as we discuss focusing a team on a project.

(Indeed, the title of her book and podcast come from exactly that principle!)

And one of her own latest creative projects is her new podcast, Cake on Tuesday, in which she and her guests discuss tech leadership and entrepreneurship! (Be sure to subscribe.)

In this discussion we apply some of the principles from Elizabeth's book to a hypothetical educator's experience of creating a mini maker faire!

What are some of the best ways XR could transform your life? And how might you be an active participant, driving these innovations to create a better world?

This November, that's exactly what IMMERSIVE X 2025 will be exploring.

From November 11th through November 13th, the fifth edition of IMMERSIVE X: The Next Reality Festival takes place. The festival, hosted entirely in virtual space, will feature presentations, activities, performances and various other events across multiple immersive platforms.

The focus will be on community, as IMMERSIVE X brings together creators, educators, businesspeople, activists and anyone else who'd like to share new perspectives and interact in fully immersive 3D environments. Admission is free, but is by invitation--and you're encouraged to request an invite! Here's the link to apply. However, be sure to do so early. These events may book to capacity.

Thomas Zorbach is the Organizer and Curator of IMMERSIVE X, as well as the Founder and CEO of Berlin-based full-service agency vm-people.

However, describing vm-people as "an advertising agency", doesn't do them justice.

Marketing for the 21st century

Thomas explains that he and his team help brands to find and tell better stories. And he jokingly offers that vm-people started with "witchcraft"--his work on a thesis on The Blair Witch Project was the catalyst!

In researching the popularity of this 1999 film, Thomas came up with the concept at the core of vm-people. In the age of digital and interactive media, marketing would go beyond advertising announcements, to having companies tell their own stories through immersive experiences.

Thomas's exploration of the Metaverse, since the pandemic, has led him to host events, give lectures, runs theater courses, and throw parties in virtual space, as he assists others in exploring the potential of XR for their purposes.

Thomas shared the story of creating both vm-people (check out their YouTube channel, for past IMMERSIVE X sessions!) and the IMMERSIVE X festival, as well as offering a preview of this year's events.