InterSTEM Talks: Recent Episodes
InterSTEM Team
InterSTEM is a non-profit organization that hopes to raise awareness about the relevance of STEM-related topics to the world. Functioning mainly online, this platform offers a tutoring service for students, updates readers about current news in STEM through articles and blog posts, and plans collaborative projects between high school and elementary students. Through the integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, InterSTEM provides students of all backgrounds the opportunity to explore and dive deeper into the world of STEM.
Website: https://interstem.us/
Tune in for advice on both semesters of senior year -- not just limited to the college application process but also touching on the ups and downs of second semester!
With so many majors, specialties, and interests to delve into during high school and college, it might be helpful to learn more about the latest up-and-coming interdisciplinary fields in STEM. Ranging from the connection between climate change and mechanical engineering to the bridge between occupational and mental health, there are plenty of interests to explore that are discussed in this episode of InterSTEM Talks!
In an ever-connected world glued to social media and referring to media sources for developing headlines, this episodes delves into the role of media literacy relating to STEM issues! Tune in to learn more about media literacy as it relates to vaccinations, evolution, and climate change.
In a world built upon communication and collaboration in finding solutions to our problems, we wanted to use this episode as an opportunity to have some brief discussions around various ethical issues in STEM. From mandatory immunizations and compulsory organ donation to asteroid mining, our speakers tackle a plethora of the most pressing modern scientific debates.
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Andre Lombardi, Orange County chapter co-president
Gordon Chang, Business Development Officer (Los Angeles)
Maya Kothari (Santa Clara)
Continuing our last episode's focus on the connections between STEM and the humanities, this episode explores how epidemiology and writing are closely intertwined. Tune in for a unique discussion centralized on how certain diseases over the past century, such as the deadly 2009 H1N1 pandemic, have been woven into popular science writing.
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Andre Lombardi, Orange County chapter co-president
Gordon Chang, Business Development Officer (Los Angeles)
Cayden Gintang, Head Marketing Officer (Los Angeles)
Maya Kothari (Santa Clara)
Biology and history both seem like two heavily differentiated areas of study. However, as discussed in this episode of InterSTEM Talks, there are surprising interdisciplinary fields that relate the two areas, particularly in pathology and ancestry. Be sure to tune in to this episode focusing on the interdisciplinary fields of history and biology!
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Andre Lombardi, Orange County chapter co-president
Gordon Chang, Business Development Officer (Los Angeles)
Cayden Gintang, Head Marketing Officer (Los Angeles)
Maya Kothari (Santa Clara)
In this episode, we discuss the emerging fields of biotechnology, bioinformatics, and public health. In addition to intriguing stories and relevant knowledge of each field, various opportunities are introduced to get involved in activities related to the three sub-studies of biology. Our speakers discuss the ethical concerns behind access to genetic information, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the field of public health, and their own research and volunteering experiences in all three fields. Be sure to tune in to this episode!
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Andre Lombardi, Orange County chapter co-president
Gordon Chang, Business Development Officer (Los Angeles)
Cayden Gintang, Head Marketing Officer (Los Angeles)
Mana Kothari (Santa Clara)
While introducing three new permanent speakers in this episode, the InterSTEM Talks Podcast focuses on resuming in-person instruction. Whether it be discussing the biggest regrets of freshman year to advantageous academic opportunities not previously available online, speakers Cayden, Mana, Gordon, and Andre discuss pieces of advice and summative information related to resuming in-person instruction.
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Andre Lombardi, Orange County chapter co-president
Gordon Chang, Business Development Officer (Los Angeles)
Cayden Gintang, Head Marketing Officer (Los Angeles)
Mana Kothari (Los Angeles)
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Andre Lombardi, Irvine-Tustin chapter co-president
Priyanka Kalidindi, Irvine-Tustin chapter co-president
Irvine-Tustin Chapter Representatives Andre Lombardi and Priyanka Kalidindi discuss what AP Exams and/or finals they are focusing on, how they have balanced extracurriculars with academic interests, some resources for both styles of testing, various strategies for revised AP/final testing formats, and final motivation to conclude the year on a positive note! ________________________________________________________________________________________
Andre Lombardi, Irvine-Tustin chapter co-president
Priyanka Kalidindi, Irvine Tustin-Chapter co-president
To wrap up the COVID-19 Adaptability Series of InterSTEM Talks, the Irvine-Tustin chapter discusses the most recent statistics regarding vaccine distribution, their general estimations of when people will be inoculated with vaccine and be allowed to return to a more normal life, and their advice to peers and community members.
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Speakers:
Andre Lombardi, Irvine-Tustin chapter co-president
Sai Pranav, Irvine-Tustin chapter chief research officer
As a continuation of our COVID-19 Adaptability limited series, the Irvine-Tustin InterSTEM chapter invites Jenny Wheatley, president of Admissions Masters, to discuss high school internships, summer programs, and leadership adaptability throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode explores how students can stay motivated in pursuing opportunities during high school, and changes in the application procedure and experience during summer programs, internships, and other activities. Additionally, we discuss the changes in how colleges evaluate students' extracurricular activities and share advice on seeking leadership opportunities in your community. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Speakers: Andre Lombardi, Irvine-Tustin chapter co-president Jenny Wheatley, President of Admission Masters and Former Admissions Officer
00:00 - Introduction
01:22 - Should I still take the SAT/ACT even if it’s optional?
09:09 - 2020 AP Exam Recap
17:13 - Choosing Future Exams
24:20 - Intermission
25:00 - Motivation for Standardized Testing
33:07 - Looking forward to a test-optional future
39:35 - Prop 16: Thoughts on college admissions
49:14 - Conclusion
Description:
With the recent removal of SAT Subject Tests, the essay portion on the SAT, and modification to AP Exams as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, students are scratching their heads on how to interpret these changes and what the future of standardized testing will look like. Therefore, to address common questions and concerns of high schoolers, this podcast episode was created to discuss adaptability to standardized testing. This is the first episode of a three-episode series on how high school students should adapt to the current COVID-19 pandemic, hosted by the Irvine-Tustin Chapter.
Speakers:
Andre Lombardi, Irvine-Tustin chapter co-president
Priyanki Kalindi, Irvine-Tustin chapter co-president
Vivian Genuhin, Irvine-Tustin chapter development officer
Christal Wang, Fairfax chapter president
Mehri Sadri, San Diego chapter president
0:20 - Introductions
3:27 - AP Biology: How to alleviate the struggle?
5:17 - AP Chemistry: Is it really a death wish?
6:14 - AP Calculus: Is skipping Pre-Calculus worth it?
7:57 - AP Psychology: Is it the easiest and most interesting AP?
9:44 - AP Computer Science A: What if I've never coded before?
11:39 - Resources for success
17:52 - Closing remarks
0:20 - How to get an internship/research position
6:13 - Preparations for the position
10:12 - Should I pursue an internship?
12:38 - Putting together a resume
17:24 - Preparing for an interview
24:47 - Making the most of your opportunities
31:54 - Our speakers' research/internship experience
1:03 Defining a passion 3:59 Experiences in high school 11:26 Slowly developing your passions 17:47 Childhood experiences 22:52 Extracurricular activities 28:10 Tips and advice