Dr. Joy Kiano Global Ambassador, N*Gen TV Africa

A passionate educator, school leader, and teacher of science, and museum founder, Dr. Joy is deeply committed to enriching the learning experience of young people. Trained at Oxford, she has worked as an educator in the UK and Kenya, with teaching and leadership experience that focuses on teacher-facilitated, student-centered learning. She is the Founding Principal of Nova Pioneer Girls High School in Kenya, where she recruited, coached, and mentored teachers for a new educational movement that adapted the Kenyan national curriculum for an innovative, student-centered approach to 21st Century learning. She is also the a Founding Director at NEMAYIANA, AMST (The Africa Museum of Science and Technology).

A published scientist, with a doctorate in molecular biology and biochemistry, Dr. Joy has been recognized by the Government as a lead expert in the regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 

As the Global Ambassador for N*Gen Dr. Joy represents the show, as well as acts as an Education Advisor, and assists in content development.

Dr. Elana Nichols Manager, Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions

Elana Nichols was born in Torrance, California. She has lived in eight different countries and visited over 90. She graduated Cum Laude with her PhD in Communication from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. She started off her career as a K-12 teacher, teaching a range of subjects, including science and English. She has worked as a college professor, a travel agent, a curriculum developer, a social media and communications manager, and a Walt Disney World Cast Member in various roles.

Elana always had a deep passion for both Disney and travel. As an Adventure Guide with Adventures by Disney, she was able to combine her teaching experience with these interests to deliver outstanding experiences for guests from all over the world.  As an Adventure Guide, Elana provided guests with enriching and educational travel experiences while helping them create lifelong memories. She firmly believes that travel connects us all in ways that nothing else can.

Notes and Resources:

You can find all the links and resources from the day here: https://www.thepocketlab.com/blog/links-and-resources-from-scic14-featuring-disney-imagination-campus

Links and resources from this session:

Find the N*Gen TV Africa show on youTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@NgenTVAfrica 

🌟 Free education resources from National Geographic https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/education-resources/  

• Check out IWAJU on Disney plus! The main character will inspire girls of color to do STEM! https://www.disneyplus.com/series/iwaju/6JDjvH1wULR1
• Example here: https://www.theceop.com/post/the-science-of-slime-inspiring-young-minds-through-hands-on-chemistry. 
• Grant writing webinar we held in the past: https://www.thepocketlab.com/video/get-funded
• Here is a TEDx talk from a local woman and her story on women in STEM: The key to more women in technology | Marianna Budnikova | TEDxBoise
•  https://www.bio-rad.com/en-us/product/genes-bottle-kit?ID=557f48ba-a7db-4c70-a042-a7e7f50ef5ec. 
• Here is the infographic I use for strawberry DNA:  https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/strawberryextractioninstructions/71315074
• Website with global ideas - https://oneglobalclassroom.weebly.com/
• Here is a video/song for the Engineering Design Process https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1IoOhNY6sg
• For making students familiar with other countries see Dollar Street by Gapminder https://www.gapminder.org/dollar-street
• Go 2 Science is wonderful for exposing kids (elementary level) to real life science around the world. I use it for my after school science clubs and do a virtual event with them each year!https://www.go2science.com/
• For Earth Science-- when we studied earthquakes we checked earthquakes around the world (see the website from USGS).
• Ernie's Exit lab (it is a blood typing CSI lab)  https://scienceteachernews.blogspot.com/2018/04/ernies-exit-blood-typing-lab.html
•  https://practicalaction.org/schools/wind-power-challenge/
• Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots is another great model.  https://rootsandshoots.org/
• https://widgitonline.com/en/home - Widgit Link
• https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/
• https://www.ted.com/talks/tyler_dewitt_hey_science_teachers_make_it_fun?delay=0s&subtitle=en 
• Stories about women in Disney Imagineering: https://books.disney.com/book/women-of-walt-disney-imagineering/.
• Charlita Carter: https://www.forbes.com/sites/yolandabaruch/2022/10/18/meet-charita-carter-the-first-african-america-woman-executive-producer-of-walt-disney-imagineering/.
• The Mystery of Matter: “OUT OF THIN AIR” (Documentary)   definitely not for the younger set
• 🌟 You can find all of the X-STEM All Access lessons here https://app.thepocketlab.com/pocketlab-library?filters=X-STEM

Plan your trip with Adventures by Disney: https://www.adventuresbydisney.com/ 

Book your land expedition with National Geographic Expeditions: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/