Events & Programs
High-Tech Makerspace
Curious students and community members will have the opportunity to step into a world of creativity, exploration, and innovation our interactive STEM sessions! Attendees will dive into hands-on learning as they build real products—whether it’s a mini bot that moves and interacts, or a custom-designed object created with state-of-the-art 3D printers and precision laser etchers. These experiences are more than just fun projects—they’re the building blocks of confidence and curiosity in science, technology, and engineering.
By blending imagination with cutting-edge tools, attendees are empowered to dream big, design boldly, and bring their ideas to life. Each session is guided by a focus on innovation and creative thinking, encouraging participants to problem-solve creatively and iterate their designs. Whether they’re constructing simple products or crafting one-of-a-kind objects, they’re developing technical skills in an environment that feels more like a playground than a classroom.
This monthly opportunity is more than just a workshop—it’s a launchpad for future creators, engineers, and inventors. Through hands-on projects, both students and public members are not only exposed to emerging technologies but also to the mindset of a maker: curious, resilient, and eager to explore what’s possible. It’s STEM education at its most inspiring—fun, tangible, and filled with discovery.
April 21, 2025
6:00 p.m.
The Power of Story: Driving Innovation Through Narrative
Discover how stories can revolutionize your approach to innovation at “The Power of Story” workshop with The Story Scientists. Join narrative psychologist Dr. Ariana Turner and engineer Dr. Reva Johnson as they reveal how the stories we tell shape both who we are and what we create. Through interactive exercises, you’ll learn how to craft compelling narratives that unlock creativity, build empathy, and transform abstract concepts into human-centered designs. Whether you’re developing a business idea, working on a research project, crafting your career, or seeking to communicate your vision more effectively, this workshop will equip you with practical storytelling techniques. Join us to explore the art and science of storytelling!
Ariana Turner is a lifelong story enthusiast based in Portland, Oregon. She received her PhD in Personality Psychology and MS in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University, where she studied narrative psychology (i.e., the psychology behind how we tell the stories of our lives). Currently, she works on story-driven learning (i.e., harnessing personal stories in curriculum) at Georgia Tech, where she teaches “The Art of Telling Your Story” and researches how the power of story impacts students. She regularly leads storytelling workshops for faculty and students. Her mixed-methods research has been published in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Research in Personality, Narrative Inquiry, and others.
Reva Johnson is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering at Valparaiso University, where her research focuses on human-machine interfaces including prosthetics, haptics, and assistive technologies (like GoBabyGo!). As a founding Faculty Liaison for the Valpo Collaboratory, she builds strategic partnerships between campus and community organizations. Reva leads workshops on story-driven learning and entrepreneurial mindset, and was recognized as a National Rising Star by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network. She earned her MS and PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University, studying prosthesis control and sensorimotor adaptation in the Center for Bionic Medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. As associate editor-in-chief of the Assistive Technology journal and a published poet, Reva uniquely bridges science and storytelling to drive learning and transformation across disciplines.
April 22
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.