In this live episode of the STEAM Box vs Podcast, Highlander Charter School Superintendent Simona Simpson-Thomas is joined by student moderators Leanne (12th grade), Ariel (10th grade), and Favor (11th grade). Centered around the visual theme "Who Are We Right Now?" and the core value "Students First, ALWAYS," the panel addresses real questions submitted directly by the student body.

The unfiltered conversation addresses key transitions across the school: the upcoming facility move from Warren back to Providence , the new state cell phone lock box policy, and elevated academic expectations driven by charter renewal pressures. Superintendent Simpson-Thomas speaks openly about expanding faculty diversity through Highlander's Educator Pathway program, strengthening mental health supports through Beyond the Bell and student-led initiatives like Joyful Rebellion, and empowering student voice and advocacy.

#HighlanderCharterSchool #StudentVoice #StudentsFirst #SteamboxPodcast #SimonaSimpsonThomas #EducatorPathway#YouthLeadership #RhodeIslandEducation #SchoolTransition #JoyfulRebellion

In this special episode of the STEAM Box Podcast, recorded live with our summer ACN (Advanced Course Network) youth, we sit down with Ed Brady, Hollywood producer, restaurateur, and Cranston mayoral candidate. Known as the ultimate “master connector,” Ed shares his incredible journey from carrying golf bags as a 13-year-old at Alpine Country Club to rubbing shoulders with celebrities at an SNL after-party and successfully pitching Kenan Thompson at 4:00 AM to film Good Burger 2 in Rhode Island.

Guided by insightful questions from our Steampunks, Ed opens up about his core pillars as a social entrepreneur, the psychological battle of saving Cranston's historic Park Theater from being turned into apartments, and his independent vision for city leadership. Whether discussing the grueling realities of the film industry, the importance of diversifying local police forces, or how to block out negative internet comments through "the hater album,"

Ed’s message is clear: lead with kindness, embrace a curious mind, and never let the world put your dreams in a box. Tune in to hear how Rhode Island is preparing for a massive creative renaissance, and get inspired to turn your own big ideas into reality.

#CreativeRhodeIsland #EdBrady #SteamboxPodcast #CranstonRI #YouthMedia #GoodBurger2 #SocialEntrepreneur #ParkTheater #LeadWithKindness #ACNProgram

STEAM Box and the youth of the summer ACN program sit down with author and artist Dr. Nettrice Gaskins. Recognized as a leading pioneer of "Afrofuturism 3.0," Gaskins discusses how generative AI acts as a digital continuum of her background in computer graphics, education, and traditional fine arts.

The conversation dives straight into the high-stakes debates surrounding AI in the arts today. Dr. Gaskins addresses the systemic racial biases baked into mainstream image generators, sharing how she bypasses stereotypical prompts to create art that truly represents Black women. The group also tackles the environmental and social costs of data centers built in underprivileged communities, contextualizing these technological challenges within a broader critique of capitalism.

From navigating online "pitchforks" over her public airport art exhibits to unpacking the ongoing culture wars involving major musical figures like Lupe Fiasco, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Gaskins offers a masterclass in staying resilient. She also shares fascinating behind-the-scenes details of her recent visual design collaboration with Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth Carter on the film Sinners, as well as her innovative STEAM lab project that utilizes micro:bits to turn the traditional, enslaved Juba/Hambone dance into personalized, bias-free AI models. Ultimately, she challenges the next generation of creators to look past simple "virtue signaling" and build non-hierarchical systems that reshape our collective future.

#Afrofuturism #AIArt #NettriceGaskins #STEAMEducation #AIBias #STEAMBoxPodcast #CreativeCoding #CultureWars #JubaDance