Genesis Meeting

This meeting was the genesis to start the partnership between the  IEEE Pikes Peak Section and Cool Science

Exciting Collaboration Between IEEE Pikes Peak Section and Cool Science

Recently, Mark Heinrich, Secretary Officer of the IEEE Pikes Peak Section (PPS), took proactive steps to ensure a fruitful collaboration between the IEEE PPS and Cool Science. During a STEAM-TEAMS meeting on February 11, 2025, organized by Dr. John Santiago, Mark seized the opportunity to connect with Marc Straub, the Executive Director of Cool Science. This strategic meeting, held on March 10, 2025, at Village Inn, was a pivotal moment for both organizations.

At the meeting, Marc Straub introduced Cool Science and highlighted the upcoming Cool Science Festival scheduled from September 27 to October 12 as well as the monthly meetings ‘Science on Tap’.

Dr. Santiago initiated a discussion on the storage of STEAM demos, with Mr. Straub suggesting potential storage space at the Space Foundation’s Summer of Discovery where he has currently has space. Recognizing the importance of community outreach, Dr. Santiago emphasized the valuable leadership and volunteer opportunities that Cool Science presents for IEEE PPS members, particularly Young Professionals (YPs) and IEEE student members in the local area.

The engagement concluded with a promising outlook for a collaborative partnership between the IEEE Pikes Peak Section and Cool Science. This alliance not only fosters a strong working relationship but also opens doors for enhanced community engagement and professional development opportunities for IEEE members. Exciting times lie ahead as both organizations embark on this journey of mutual growth and innovation.

The individuals on the photo below from left to right are Mark Heinrich, Marc Straub and Dr. John Santiago.

Schedule of Workshops/Meetings |  Work In Progress STEAM-TEAMS Notes   |  Standing TALL webinars

Scaling STEAM/STEM Activities and the IEEE Pikes Peak Section Website

Slides on Scaling with IEEE Pikes Peak Section can be downloaded here:  Download Slides

NOTE:  Video with morph animations below was saved from PowerPoint without narration followed by a pdf delivered as a flipbook display

Homopolar Motor – The Simplest Motor

Flipbook Version: Scaling with IEEE Pikes Peak Section Website

Download

Created using FlowPaper Flipbook Maker ↗

Below are some PhET simulations that can be discussed and described in the meeting.

CAN YOU RIDE A BACKWARD BICYCLE?

An illustration of how your mind can be fixed on a set pattern.  It also shows how your mindset can affect on either having a growth or fixed mindset.

Summary of the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN)

The Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) is a collaborative network of universities, faculty, and industry professionals dedicated to instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in engineering students. KEEN aims to go beyond traditional technical training by integrating curiosity, connections, and creating value (3Cs) into engineering education, preparing graduates to be innovative problem-solvers and ethical leaders in a rapidly evolving world.

Mission & Vision

KEEN’s mission is to develop engineers who have an entrepreneurial mindset and can create societal and economic value through their work. The network envisions a future where engineers are not only technically competent but also:

• Curious about the world and continuously seeking knowledge.
• Connected to people, ideas, and opportunities beyond their immediate discipline.
• Value creators, ensuring their solutions have meaningful impact.

Key Components of the Entrepreneurial Mindset (3Cs)

1. Curiosity – Encouraging students to ask questions, explore multiple perspectives, and engage in lifelong learning.
2. Connections – Teaching students to integrate knowledge from different fields, collaborate effectively, and build meaningful relationships.
3. Creating Value – Ensuring that engineering solutions address real-world needs, are sustainable, and benefit society.

How KEEN Works

• Faculty Development – KEEN provides resources, training, and grants to help educators integrate the entrepreneurial mindset into engineering curricula.
• Student Engagement – Through hands-on projects, interdisciplinary teamwork, and experiential learning, students gain problem-solving skills that prepare them for industry challenges.
• Collaboration & Resources – KEEN members share best practices, curriculum modules, and innovative teaching methods via conferences, workshops, and digital platforms.

Impact on Engineering Education

KEEN has influenced over 50 universities in the United States, reshaping how engineering programs develop students’ skills beyond technical expertise. The network fosters innovation, adaptability, and leadership, equipping engineers to thrive in startups, corporations, and research environments.

KEEN aligns well with modern engineering challenges, where success depends not just on technical knowledge but also on creative problem-solving, ethical decision-making, and the ability to drive change in organizations and society.

More information can be found here:  Home | Engineering Unleashed

ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET (OR KERN ENTREPRENEURIAL ENGINEERING NETWORK OR KEEN)

 Here’s a short 2-minute video by the KEEN Director, Doug Melton.

Let’s Pump It Up! (It=”STEM/STEAM”)

As ambassadors of IEEE, we have a responsibility to educate the public what engineering is all about and to encourage future generations to enter engineering.

How?  Here’s one approach…you can choose to use it or not for your intro or outro of you outreach visit and journey.

Step 1.  Play the first YouTube Video below for background music.  If you want to loop the music, right click on the video and select ‘LOOP’)

Step 2.  Then scroll down and play the  next video.  The video has AI-generated images and animation using green screen techniques, Arduino App, student projects, like the Tesla coil, dirt battery and robotics arena.   Hence, you can transition on topics you are most comfortable.

Note 1:  This is just one example to serve as “elevator music/or video”) before presenting your lesson.

Note 2:  If you have other ideas to arouse curiosity for intros, please let Dr John Santiago know.

Intros – Outro Examples

Cool Science Director/President, Marc Straub, graced with his presence on this STEAM-TEAMS meeting.  Here, Marc demonstrated a demo on superconductivity these are just video clips in his demo.

ChatGPT Prompt Example:  Pyramid of Success

Here is one of many examples that Dr John Santiago used to verify and validate the output of ChatGTP.

For example, here is the prompt I ask ChatGPT to see if  the John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success aligns with Dr Santiago’s thinking for the last several years in terms of leadership development within the IEEE Pikes Peak Section.  The prompt was also used to address an attendee’s remark if this was a Pyramid scheme which by the way leads to John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, one of the Dr Santiago’s most valuable tools since graduating UCLA and being commissioned in the United States Air Force.  Note that ChatGPT records all of his 100-200 plus conversations about various topics:

“Is there a difference between a Pyramid Scheme and John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Also, what do you think of the following strategic goal found at https://r5.ieee.org/pikespeak/strategic-plan:

“For each year, each of the current active and engaged members, recruit one IEEE member and mentor the recruit to be an active and engaged member of the IEEE Pikes Peak Section. By your leadership example, have your recruit who is now an active and engaged member do the same as you did by recruiting one member.”

Here is the response from ChatGPT:

1. Difference Between a Pyramid Scheme and John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success

Yes, there is a fundamental difference between a pyramid scheme and John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success:

• A Pyramid Scheme is a fraudulent and unsustainable financial structure that relies on recruiting people into a system where money primarily flows upward to early entrants. Participants are incentivized to recruit others to invest, but there is no real product or value being generated. Eventually, the scheme collapses when recruitment slows.
• John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success is a values-based leadership and personal development framework designed to build character, teamwork, and sustained achievement. It is based on hard work, integrity, and personal growth, with success being a result of disciplined effort rather than exploiting others.

A pyramid scheme exploits people, while Wooden’s Pyramid empowers people through self-leadership, teamwork, and principled success.

2. Strategic Goal of IEEE Pikes Peak: Ethical or Pyramid Scheme-Like?

The strategic goal on the IEEE Pikes Peak website suggests a structured and organic method for growth:

“For each year, each of the current active and engaged members, recruit one IEEE member and mentor the recruit to be an active and engaged member of the IEEE Pikes Peak Section. By your leadership example, have your recruit who is now an active and engaged member do the same as you did by recruiting one member.”

At first glance, some might superficially mistake this for a pyramid-like structure due to its exponential growth strategy. However, this is not a pyramid scheme because:

1. There is no financial exploitation – Members are not being recruited for monetary gain at the expense of others.
2. The focus is on mentorship and engagement – The goal is not just to add members, but to engage, mentor, and develop them.
3. Sustainable value creation – IEEE provides educational resources, professional development, and networking that contribute to real value.

This strategy aligns with John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success more than a pyramid scheme because it builds leadership, mentorship, and personal growth instead of exploiting others for financial gain.

My Perspective on This Strategic Goal

This goal aligns with Metcalfe’s Law (network value grows quadratically with each additional member), making it a powerful growth strategy. However, two factors should be carefully considered:

• Quality Over Quantity – The focus should remain on engaged members who contribute to IEEE, rather than passive recruits.
• Scalability and Support – As IEEE grows, it must ensure new members receive mentorship and value to prevent burnout or disengagement.

Conclusion: This strategy is ethically sound, aligns with leadership values, and supports long-term community building—unlike a pyramid scheme, which is inherently predatory. It’s a strong approach if executed with a focus on mentorship and meaningful engagement rather than just recruitment.

============end of ChatGPT response============

3. Dr Santiago wrote to John Wooden in 1994 about how he used his Pyramid as a leadership tool.  Coach John Wooden wrote back thanking me on his 80^th birthday and has written several leadership books since then.  His Pyramid of Success consists of  five layers, totaling 15 blocks Embedded in his Pyramid are the Self-Leadership Ladder and the Team Leadership Triangle.  Dr Santiago expanded Wooden’s Pyramid of Success to five more layers to address and emphasize Organization Leadership (Strategic Leadership, https://r5.ieee.org/pikespeak/pyramid-os-r5-pps/).
4. Since Dr Santiago have been thinking about the Pyramid of Success for the last 45 years, he tried to incorporate John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success philosophy and my Air Force leadership experience within the IEEE Pikes Peak Section where he wrote several news articles in Region 5.  Here’s a summary of all the news articles at:  STEAM-TEAMS-notes | IEEE Pikes Peak Section.
5. Other resources curated at our IEEE Pikes Peak Section Website and to promote the STEAM-TEAMS Strategic and Mentorship Plan are:

• John Wooden Pyramid of Success| IEEE Pikes Peak Section
• Young Professional Minisite | IEEE Pikes Peak Section
• Contributions & Stories of LMAG Members | IEEE Pikes Peak Section

21 Truths of Bitcoin

This text block or any section in the IEEE Pikes Peak Section is not intended to provide financial advice but to promote critical thinking.

Dr John Santiago highly recommends to do your own diligent research on blockchain technology and its application to Bitcoin

Do you technically disagree or simply disagree with any of the 21 truths of Bitcoin by Michael Saylor (an aeronautical and well-read engineer, just like the Founding Fathers – a collective genius of systems thinkers/engineers). Note that Bitcoin does not exist without prior technologies, namely: semiconductors, internet and cryptography.

Even if you disagree with one or more of Michael Saylor’s truths, he will expand your intellectual critical thinking both economically and technically.

MICHAEL SAYLOR: 21 Truths of Bitcoin (Digital Asset Summit 2025)

The 21 Truths of Bitcoin – Executive Summary & Teaching Guide

Truth 1: Bitcoin is an Ideology

• Rooted in liberty, sovereignty, property rights.
• Opposes central planning and dependency.
• Echoes Founding Fathers and Austrian economics.

Truth 2: Bitcoin is a Protocol

• A monetary protocol like math or language.
• Rules: 21M supply, SHA-256, 10-min blocks.
• Separates software from ideology.

Truth 3: Bitcoin is an Asset

• The ultimate store of value.
• Outperforms gold, fiat, land, and livestock.

Truth 4: Bitcoin is a Network

• A decentralized, fault-tolerant, global computing network.
• Protects, stores, and transmits the asset.

Truth 5: Bitcoin is Immaculate

• Created without self-interest.
• Anonymous, decentralized birth—no pre-mine or founders’ profit.

Truth 6: Bitcoin is Ethical

• Trustless ownership—no manipulation, seizure, or inflation.
• Free from human or institutional corruption.

Truth 7: Bitcoin is a Commodity

• No issuer—legally a commodity like gold or corn.
• Enables open speech and investment rights.

Truth 8: Bitcoin is The Commodity

• Superior to all physical commodities.
• Immune to inflation through technological production.

Truth 9: Bitcoin is a Digital Commodity

• Unique among all assets.
• Programmable, transmissible, divisible.

Truth 10: Bitcoin is Scarce

• Capped at 21 million units.
• 0% inflation → infinite economic half-life.

Truth 11: Bitcoin is Digital Gold

• Matches gold’s historic role.
• 10x potential of gold due to digital properties.

Truth 12: Bitcoin is Digital Money

• Instant, irreversible, low-cost settlement.
• Superior to credit-based payment rails.

Truth 13: Bitcoin is Perfect Money

• Economically engineered for stability, scarcity, and integrity.
• Marks the transition from art to science in economics.

Truth 14: Bitcoin is Legitimate

• Recognized as strategic digital reserve by U.S. government.
• Treated on par with national treasures.

Truth 15: Bitcoin is Corporate

• Companies can capitalize using Bitcoin.
• Outperforms cash, gold, and bonds as a treasury reserve.

Truth 16: Bitcoin is Global

• Borderless inclusion and economic alignment.
• An Arkansas investor and Tokyo engineer share the same asset.

Truth 17: Bitcoin is Immortal

• Designed to last centuries.
• Not subject to institutional decay or obsolescence.

Truth 18: Bitcoin is Digital Energy

• Satoshis are the monetary energy units.
• Enables life and computation in cyberspace.

Truth 19: Bitcoin is a Digital Energy Network

• Moves value like electricity—fast, secure, borderless.
• Fundamental infrastructure for AI and machine commerce.

Truth 20: Bitcoin is a Digital Economic System

• Basis for decentralized finance and programmable capital.
• Real-time global settlement for assets and value.

Truth 21: Bitcoin is an Emerging Solar System

• A gravitational financial center.
• Drawing capital, institutions, and talent into its orbit.

Summary: Bitcoin is not merely money—it is a multidimensional phenomenon: an ideology, a protocol, a network, and a living economic organism. It’s redefining capitalism, sovereignty, digital energy, and global economics. Teach it. Share it. Build with it.

Slides for 21 Truths of Bitcoin by Michael Saylor

Created using FlowPaper Flipbook Maker ↗

Bitcoin and Beyond

Saylor Academy:  Free and Infinite Education

Michael Saylor, MIT Aerospace Engineer and CEO of Strategy, is working on getting Saylor Academy to become Saylor University.  This portion of the talk can be found at the 38:50 mark.  Saylor Academy can be found at: Saylor Academy – Free and open online courses for people everywhere

Cool Science Demo from Marc Straub

Some featured photos and videos on Marc’s Straub engaging style of teaching STEAM topics.  In this lesson Marc’s provides a lesson on liquid nitrogen.

Videos from Cool Science can be found on Facebook as well as on YouTube.

• Experiment: Light from Candy – Presented by Cool Science – YouTube

Take a break with this fun video from led by the President of Purdue University and their aeronautical engineers.

Fox Meadow Middle School

Dr Santiago visited the Fox Meadow Middle School to talk about the electricity, magnets, and motors.   He plans to use simple DIY (Do-It-Yourself) demos to discuss these topics.  This activity is in support of the Cool Science outreach program as part of the collaboration with the IEEE Pikes Peak Section

DIY demos empower each IEEE section member to do their own community outreach by talking to their kids, their neighbor kids and friends as well as parents or to anyone they meet.

Dr Santiago has developed visual video demos without narration that can be used as ‘elevator pitches’ when meeting someone.

Think of empowering each IEEE section member as word-of-mouth marketing where each member is an ambassador and walking billboard to educate the public what engineering is all about as well as encouraging their kids to enter the STEAM engineering field.

This is what is meant as a STEAM-TEAMS approach, involving an effort to do content and word-of-mouth marketing.

As a starting point, Dr Santiago plans to use squishy circuits, aluminum circuits on cardboard ( you can view it as a low cost breadboard), and building with world’s simplest motor.  Please visit STEAM/STEM demo videos.

STEAM/STEM Cartoons

Created using FlowPaper Flipbook Maker ↗

The slide show below is a test of using ChatGPT to create cartoons for STEAM-TEAMS community outreach. If the middle-school students complete the squishy circuits (https://r5.ieee.org/squishy-circuits) and the world’s simplest motor activities early that I have planned, then I can present the slide show to middle-school students. This will be one of Dr Santiago’s contribution in helping out the Cool Science program with electricity/electromagnetics.

Dr John Santiago, IEEE Past Chair and current Webmaster for the IEEE Pikes Peak Section, will be meeting with the President/Director of Cool Science, Marc Straub, at the Fox Meadow Middle School, on 16 Apr (Wed), prepping at 3:30 pm and starting the lesson at 4:00 pm. If IEEE section volunteer members would like to help out or just check it out, you’re welcome to come in and join in the fun. Please let me know if you plan on coming.

Marc’s busy calendar of events can be found here Cool Science Volunteer Calendar – Cool Science.

Engaged and active members in the section will have many opportunities to observe Marc’s engaging style of teaching. Dr Santiago enjoyed his talk on liquid nitrogen, providing numerous demonstrations of liquid nitrogen since Dr Santiago never saw these types of ‘cool’ demonstrations when going through middle or high school.

Comparison Framework: 7 Steps of First Principles Thinking vs. “My Story” Script

1. Identify the Problem

First Principles Thinking: Clearly define the problem you are facing. Be specific.

Your Script:

“Too many IEEE members and educators have remarkable stories… But their impact is confined to live talks, conference halls, and PDF resumes.”

You identify the core pain point: impact is not scalable because storytelling and legacy-sharing are limited to outdated formats.

➡️ Mapped perfectly: You’ve defined a specific, relatable problem that IEEE members face — one with deep implications.

Comparison Framework: 7 Steps of First Principles Thinking vs. “My Story” Script

1. Identify the Problem

First Principles Thinking: Clearly define the problem you are facing. Be specific.

Your Script:

“Too many IEEE members and educators have remarkable stories… But their impact is confined to live talks, conference halls, and PDF resumes.”

You identify the core pain point: impact is not scalable because storytelling and legacy-sharing are limited to outdated formats.

➡️ Mapped perfectly: You’ve defined a specific, relatable problem that IEEE members face — one with deep implications.

2. Break Down the Problem

First Principles Thinking: Decompose the problem into core elements. Ignore assumptions.

Your Script:

“In an age of short attention span and multimedia learning, we need tools that bridge tradition with technology.”

You separate the problem of impact into human constraints (time, access, geography) and technical limitations (format, delivery, engagement).

➡️ You strip away the assumption that legacy = static archives (e.g., PDFs, PowerPoints). You instead expose the core needs: scale, engagement, multimedia, mentorship.

Example of IEEE STEM Grant  (online applicaton)

Twenty-one-page attachment is below this digital flipbook.

Created using FlowPaper Flipbook Maker ↗

Attachment to Above Submission

Created using FlowPaper Flipbook Maker ↗

More Motor Magic

Blue LEDs

STEM Outreach Resources – IEEE Region 5  For your convenience, here are Dr Matt Francis, Region 5 Director (2024-2025) links to STEM resources:

NEURAL NETWORKS

Sample Video (Video 6) Transformed Into IEEE ICP

Implementing Token-Based Neural Language Processing in Engineering Applications

IEEE Industry Content Platform

TryEngineering on YouTube

Collections of ebooks

Artificial Intelligence  |  Teachable Machine

RESOURCES AND TOOLS

Here are some resources you can use in your community outreach activities.

• Student Activities | IEEE Pikes Peak Section
• Squishy-Circuits | IEEE Pikes Peak Section
• STEM Demos | IEEE Pikes Peak Section
• H5P Demos | IEEE Pikes Peak Section
• PhET Demos | IEEE Pikes Peak Section
• PhET Demos – Math | IEEE Pikes Peak Section
• Algodoo Demos | IEEE Pikes Peak Section
• TinkerCAD | IEEE Pikes Peak Section

Here are more resources not found in this website that may prove useful.  If you found some videos or other multimedia content or tools that will encourage and motivate students to enter the STEM/STEAM fields, please contact Dr John Santiago.

• Home – TryEngineering.org Powered by IEEE
• World’s Simplest Motor | Mad About Science
• The Engineering Mindset – YouTube
• Arduino STEM Camp: Introduction Download – YouTube
• Khan Academy

Active and engaged members can document their IEEE work activities for future awards and recognition events in teams of self-leadership, team leadership and organization leadership, such as participation in STEM/STEAM activities here:  IEEE Section Member Activity Log

STEM Videos for the Flipped Classroom

• Introduction to Engineering

KIDS FUN SCIENCE

Miscellaneous Experiments

From playlist, checkout the following electrical engineering related videos: 3, 6, 8

Non-Technical Resources and AI Prompt Examples

Kobe Bryant’s $600 Million Fortune Was Built by the Investment He Made (for $0) When He Was Just 13

Example ChatGPT Prompt

ChatGPT sad:

​Kobe Bryant’s estimated net worth of $600 million at the time of his passing in 2020 was the result of a combination of his illustrious basketball career, strategic business ventures, and endorsements. ​Celebrity Net Worth

Basketball Career

• NBA Earnings: Over a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant earned approximately $328 million in salary. ​Celebrity Net Worth+1Moneywise+1

Business Ventures

• BodyArmor Investment: In 2014, Bryant invested $6 million for a 10% stake in the sports drink company BodyArmor. By 2018, this investment’s value had grown to approximately $200 million. ​Inc.+3MarketWatch+3Celebrity Net Worth+3

• Bryant Stibel: In 2016, Bryant co-founded the venture capital firm Bryant Stibel with Jeff Stibel, focusing on investments in technology, media, and data companies. The firm invested in companies like The Players Tribune and LegalZoom. ​Celebrity Net Worth+1Gale+1

Endorsements

• Major Brands: Throughout his career, Bryant secured endorsement deals with companies such as Nike, Sprite, McDonald’s, and Hublot, contributing significantly to his wealth. ​Celebrity Net Worth

Bryant’s financial success stemmed from his athletic achievements, astute investments, and strong brand partnerships, reflecting his dedication both on and off the court.​

Sources

Creative Instruction  

Survivorman vs Engineering Builds a Power Supply

This is an one example of creative instruction by one of the engineering students at Colorado Technical University on Power Supply Fundamentals.

His video can be found here: Survivor vs Engineering Builds A Power Supply

Note:  In the earlier part of the video, there should be a resistor load in the full-wave 4-diode rectifiier bridge.  Can you figure out where?  Overall, his content is pretty right on given his intent of this video.

Links and Daily TIPS (To Improve Professional Skills) 

This section contains resources is to trigger questions for the Standing TALL Webinar Weekly Series.  Most of the free and paid resources below, Dr Santiago has used personally.

Link to Camtasia Webinar:  Tim Slade’s Secrets to Scripting and Custom Animations | TechSmith

Standing TALL with STEAM-TEAMS

Dr John Santiago and Dileep Rai are starting a series of weekly Standing TALL one-half hour sessions or meetings where TALL stands for Tuesday or Thursday’s ASK, LEARN, and LEAD.  You can think of this series as Ask Me Anything or as John’s office hours.  You can ask Dr Santiago questions regarding the STEAM-TEAMS initiative or the multi-media content from the IEEE Pikes Peak Section website by sending him an email at john.santiago@ieee.org or during the virtual meeting.

Starting either on late May or early June 2025, each week, shown below, there will be a one-half hour session with Dr Santiago, where participants can ask any questions associated with STEAM-TEAMS or anything from the IEEE Pikes Peak Section or its website.   Participants can ask questions live or submit a question for that week at john.santiago@ieee.org.

Topics can include that are non-technical, examples include:

1.   More demos of STEM/STEAM products
2.   Computer simulation and animation in education
3.   Introduction to website management using WordPress
4.   Experience in applying AI for increased productivity
5.   Dr Santiago’s YouTube educational videos
6.   Leadership John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success
7.   Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) Framework
8.   United States Air Force (USAF) Career Path, University Teaching Experience

Looking forward to hearing and sharing ideas with you!

Tentative Schedule and Potential Topics

The list below serves as a potential discussion, but you can ask me anything.

Week 1: Introduction to STEAM and Entrepreneurship

• Focus: Understanding the integration of STEAM fields with entrepreneurial thinking.​
• Activity: Explore the basics of circuits using Squishy Circuits to create simple electronic projects. recordpatriot.com+1globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu+1

Week 2: Creative Problem-Solving

• Focus: Developing innovative solutions through design thinking.​
• Activity: Engage in brainstorming sessions to address real-world challenges.​

Week 3: Leadership Styles and Self-Assessment

• Focus: Identifying personal leadership styles and strengths.​smartpassiveincome.com+1personatalent.com+1
• Activity: Complete self-assessment tools to discover individual leadership traits.​

Week 4: Basics of Coding

• Focus: Introduction to programming concepts.​recordpatriot.com
• Activity: Participate in beginner-friendly coding workshops.​venturewell.org+1globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu+1

Week 5: Team Dynamics and Collaboration

• Focus: Effective teamwork strategies.​
• Activity: Participate in team-building exercises to enhance collaboration skills.​linkedin.com

Week 6: Financial Literacy

• Focus: Understanding personal and business finances.​personatalent.com+3education.apple.com+3nfte.com+3
• Activity: Workshops on budgeting, saving, and investing.​

Week 7: Robotics Fundamentals

• Focus: Basics of robotics and automation.​en.wikipedia.org
• Activity: Build and program simple robots.​nfte.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3pinterest.com+3

Week 8: Communication Skills

• Focus: Enhancing verbal and non-verbal communication.​
• Activity: Public speaking workshops and presentations.​theguardian.com+7educationworld.com+7instructables.com+7

Week 9: Environmental Science and Sustainability

• Focus: Exploring ecological principles and sustainable practices.​
• Activity: Projects on renewable energy and conservation.​

Week 10: Project Management

• Focus: Planning and executing projects effectively.​
• Activity: Learn project management tools and techniques.​smartpassiveincome.com+2voguebusiness.com+2fortunebuilders.com+2

Week 11: Digital Art and Design

• Focus: Merging technology with creativity.​
• Activity: Create digital artworks using graphic design software.​

Week 12: Critical Thinking and Decision Making

• Focus: Analyzing situations to make informed decisions.​
• Activity: Case studies and problem-solving scenarios.​

Week 13: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

• Focus: Understanding AI concepts and applications.​
• Activity: Explore AI tools and their real-world uses.​

Week 14: Emotional Intelligence

• Focus: Recognizing and managing emotions in oneself and others.​
• Activity: Interactive sessions on empathy and self-awareness.​

Week 15: Engineering Design Process

• Focus: Steps involved in designing and testing solutions.​
• Activity: Hands-on projects following the engineering design cycle.​

Week 16: Networking and Relationship Building

• Focus: Building professional connections.​
• Activity: Networking events and mentorship opportunities.​linkedin.com

Week 17: Mathematics in Real Life

• Focus: Applying mathematical concepts to everyday situations.​
• Activity: Workshops on practical math applications.​

Week 18: Resilience and Adaptability

• Focus: Overcoming challenges and adapting to change.​
• Activity: Discussions on resilience strategies.​

Week 19: Biotechnology Basics

• Focus: Exploring the intersection of biology and technology.​
• Activity: Experiments in genetic engineering and bioinformatics.​

Week 20: Ethics in Technology

• Focus: Understanding the moral implications of technological advancements.​
• Activity: Debates on ethical dilemmas in tech.​

Week 21: Public Speaking and Presentation

• Focus: Developing effective presentation skills.​
• Activity: Deliver speeches and receive constructive feedback.​

Week 22: Renewable Energy

• Focus: Exploring alternative energy sources.​
• Activity: Projects on solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.​

Week 23: Time Management

• Focus: Prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively.​
• Activity: Workshops on creating efficient schedules.​

Week 24: Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

• Focus: Introduction to VR and AR technologies.​
• Activity: Explore VR/AR applications and create simple projects.​

Week 25: Cultural Competence

• Focus: Understanding and appreciating diverse cultures.​
• Activity: Cultural exchange sessions and global case studies.​

Week 26: Cybersecurity Fundamentals

• Focus: Basics of protecting digital information.​
• Activity: Workshops on safe online practices.​

Week 27: Conflict Resolution

• Focus: Managing and resolving disputes effectively.​
• Activity: Role-playing scenarios to practice conflict resolution.​

Week 28: Data Science and Analytics

• Focus: Interpreting and analyzing data.

Next Several Weeks (Weeks 29-49)

Weekly Themes for “Standing TALL”

Week 29.  Standing TALL in Leadership – Self, team, and organizational leadership insights.

Week 30.  Standing TALL in Engineering Excellence – Problem-solving, innovation, and technical leadership.

Week 32.  Standing TALL with an Entrepreneurial Mindset – KEEN 6Cs and creating value.

Week 33.  Standing TALL in Ethics & Technology – AI, blockchain, and responsible innovation.

Week 34.  Standing TALL as a Mentor & Legacy Builder – The power of mentorship and knowledge transfer.

Week 35.  Standing TALL in Decision-Making – Systems thinking, vision, and strategic choices.

Week 36.  Standing TALL in Communication & Influence – Clarity, persuasion, and effective messaging.

Week 37.  Standing TALL in Financial Literacy & Bitcoin – Understanding sound money and decentralized finance.

Week 38.  Standing TALL in Visionary Leadership & PyramidX-OS – Applying leadership frameworks for impact.

Week 39.  Standing TALL in Faith, Values & Purpose – Leading with integrity and purpose-driven leadership.

Standing TALL: Weekly Themes & Rotating Taglines

Week 40. Standing TALL in Leadership

“Leadership is the foundation of a free republic.”
(Inspired by Washington’s example of servant leadership and self-governance.)

Week 41.  Standing TALL in Engineering Excellence

• • • “Innovation fuels liberty, and engineers shape the future.”
      (Inspired by Franklin’s scientific curiosity and contributions to progress.)

Week 42.  Standing TALL with an Entrepreneurial Mindset

• • • • “Free enterprise, free minds, and fearless creators build a better world.”
        (Inspired by Hamilton’s vision of industry and economic independence.)

Week 43.  Standing TALL in Ethics & Technology

• • • • • “Virtue and innovation must walk hand in hand.”
          (Inspired by Jefferson’s belief in moral responsibility and progress.)

Week 44.  Standing TALL as a Mentor & Legacy Builder

• • “To mentor is to pass the torch of liberty and wisdom.”
    (Inspired by Adams’ emphasis on education as key to sustaining freedom.)

Week 45.  Standing TALL in Decision-Making

• • “Great decisions shape nations, businesses, and lives.”
    (Inspired by Madison’s strategic foresight in crafting the Constitution.)

Week 46.  Standing TALL in Communication & Influence

• • “Persuasion, clarity, and truth—tools of leaders and statesmen.”
    (Inspired by Patrick Henry’s oratory and the Federalist Papers.)

Week 47.  Standing TALL in Financial Literacy & Bitcoin

• • “Sound money secures freedom, from 1776 to the Bitcoin standard.”
    (Inspired by the Founders’ fight against central control of currency.)

Week 48. Standing TALL in Visionary Leadership & PyramidX-OS

• • “A vision without action is a dream; action without vision is chaos.”
    (Inspired by the structured leadership of the Founding Fathers.)

Week 49.  Standing TALL in Faith, Values & Purpose

• • “Faith, virtue, and self-governance sustain a free people.”
    (Inspired by the Founders’ belief in moral leadership.)

The Golden Ratio: A Mathematical and Natural Phenomenon

The Golden Ratio, often denoted by the Greek letter Φ (phi), is an irrational number approximately equal to 1.6180339887…. It appears in geometry, nature, art, architecture, and even financial markets, making it one of the most fascinating mathematical constants.

1. Mathematical Definition

The Golden Ratio is defined by the equation:

Φ=a+ba=ab≈1.618

where a and b are two line segments such that the ratio of the whole to the larger segment is equal to the ratio of the larger to the smaller segment.

Golden Ratio in Fibonacci Sequence

• The Fibonacci Sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, …
• As you divide successive terms:

21/13 ≈ 1.6154

34/21 ≈ 1.6190

55/34 ≈ 1.6176

As n → ∞, the ratio converges to Φ (~1.618).

2. Geometric Representation
3. Golden Rectangle

• A Golden Rectangle has a length-to-width ratio of Φ.
• If you cut a square from it, the remaining rectangle is also golden.
• This self-similar property connects it to fractals and Sierpiński patterns.

1. Golden Spiral

• Created by drawing arcs inside Golden Rectangles.
• Seen in nautilus shells, hurricanes, and galaxies.

3. The Golden Ratio in Nature

✅ Human Body – Ratio of hand to forearm, facial proportions.
✅ Flowers & Trees – Petal arrangements, leaf distribution follows Fibonacci spirals.
✅ Galaxies & Hurricanes – Spiral arms follow Golden Logarithmic Spirals.
✅ DNA Structure – The double-helix proportions approximate the Golden Ratio.

4. Applications of the Golden Ratio
5. Art & Architecture

• Parthenon (Ancient Greece) – Proportions align with Φ.
• Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man – Human proportions reflect Golden Ratios.
• Renaissance Paintings – Used for aesthetically pleasing compositions.

1. Engineering & Design

• Fractal Antennas – Optimized using Golden Ratio symmetry.
• Logos & Branding – Apple, Twitter, and many company logos use Golden Proportions.

1. Financial Markets

• Fibonacci Retracement – Used in stock market technical analysis.
• Golden Ratio in Algorithms – Found in AI and self-organizing systems.

Final Thought: Golden Ratio & Leadership

Just as Φ maintains balance in nature and design, it can symbolize harmony in leadership structures.

Title: Fractal Leadership and Golden Ratio Scaling for IEEE Mentorship and Growth

Abstract

This paper explores a novel approach to leadership and mentorship within IEEE using fractal structures, Fibonacci scaling, and the Golden Ratio to ensure sustainable, self-replicating growth. By leveraging principles from engineering, mathematics, and nature, this model provides a blueprint for mentorship expansion, ensuring both engagement and scalability while respecting cognitive limits such as Dunbar’s Number.

1. Introduction

1.1 The Challenge of Sustainable Mentorship Growth

IEEE’s mentorship and recruitment efforts require an approach that balances expansion, engagement, and sustainability. Traditional linear growth models often fail to maintain active participation, resulting in high attrition rates. This paper introduces a fractal-based mentorship structure inspired by the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci sequence.

1.2 The Fractal Nature of Leadership Development

Nature optimizes growth using self-similar fractal structures. This paper proposes an IEEE mentorship model that mirrors Sierpiński triangles, Fibonacci spirals, and network fractals, ensuring each mentor trains new leaders recursively, forming an ever-expanding, engaged leadership network.

2. Mathematical Framework for IEEE Growth

2.1 Fibonacci-Based Mentorship Expansion

Each IEEE member commits to recruiting and mentoring one new active member per year:

Note:  As n → ∞, growth approaches the Golden Ratio (Φ ≈ 1.618).

2.2 Dunbar’s Number as a Constraint on Growth

• Cognitive science suggests humans maintain stable relationships with ~150 individuals.
• Once an IEEE mentorship pod reaches ~150 members, it splits into smaller STEAM-TEAMS, ensuring continued engagement without cognitive overload.
• This structure prevents mentor burnout and maintains effective knowledge transfer.

3. IEEE Mentorship as a Fractal Network

3.1 Self-Similar Leadership Growth

• Just as fractals repeat the same pattern at different scales, IEEE’s mentorship structure maintains the same values and principles across leadership levels.
• Every recruit is trained to become a mentor, ensuring the recursive nature of leadership.

3.2 Golden Ratio in Organizational Efficiency

• Proportional distribution of leadership responsibilities follows Phi (~1.618).
• Each mentorship level allocates time and resources efficiently, avoiding bottlenecks in leadership development.

4. Implementation Strategy for IEEE Pikes Peak Section

4.1 Structuring IEEE Growth with STEAM-TEAMS

• Each mentorship pod (~8-12 members) forms a self-sustaining STEAM-TEAM.
• Once 150+ members are reached, the group splits into two independent self-similar teams.
• STEAM-TEAM leaders transition into regional mentorship directors, maintaining fractal-based expansion.

4.2 Phased Deployment of the Model

1. Pilot Program: Implement the fractal mentorship model with one IEEE Pikes Peak cohort.
2. Data Collection: Measure engagement, retention, and recruitment success.
3. Scaling Strategy: Expand the model regionally while adapting fractal nodes based on feedback.
4. Global Application: If successful, implement at the IEEE national/international level.

5. Conclusion and Future Work

This fractal-based mentorship model balances leadership growth, efficiency, and engagement using the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci expansion principles. By harnessing self-similar, scalable structures, IEEE can foster long-term mentorship sustainability, ensuring that each generation of recruits becomes future mentors. Future work includes refining AI-driven models to optimize mentorship matchmaking and engagement tracking.

Industry Content Platform (ICP)

The ICP is an example of an AI-assisted content transformer for industry consumption.

Dr John Santiago has been invited to be editor for the IEEE Industry Content Platform and is currently in alpha development, showing much promise at this stage.

• Our objective is to enable IEEE academic/deep research content to be more accessible and useful to a broad range of industry practitioners. So it isn’t a simplification as much a repositioning for a different audience and purpose. For example, we have fewer equations because they simply aren’t as relevant when identifying high-level opportunities for new technology applications.
• And we generate completely new sections – such as industry applications, implementation steps, and related Standards – because those are relevant to industry engineers, even if they may not be to the original author. When someone identifies an interesting ICP article and wants to delve into the details, there’s the link button to do that.

In other words, ICP serves in taking highly research-oriented papers and transforming them into content that can be efficiently consumed by a broad range of engineering roles to solve industry’s technical challenges.

Dr Santiago is adapting the content also for STEAM-STEM articles to encourage young students to enter the STEAM-STEM disciplines with emphasis in engineering. Again, the first and primary priority of ICP is to be accessible and useful to a broad range of industry practitioners.

For IEEE members who have content that can serve others, please let Dr. Santiago know.  You can contact him at john.santiago@ieee.org.

Attention ICP Reviewers:  General Guidelines from the ICP Team

Turning a $40 investment into a Interactive Projection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgKCrGvShZs

Note:  One middle school student implemented the video for his school below when Dr Santiago gave a presentation for a Junior Achievement program.  Although this video is dated, it’s still inspiring!

Athletic Drones

Note:  This article is subject to review and has not been published.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2itwFJCgFQ

Note:  Presented by Dr Santiago as Faculty Advisor for the IEEE Student Branch at Colorado Technical University (CTU), these series of drone videos inspired students to start their own experimentation with drones as well as other projects.

R-2R LADDER DAC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsmlWASnwOY

IEEE Industry Content Platform

Note:  After providing a set of YouTube video playlists from Dr Santiago, the IEEE team of ICP, selected this as an example of what ICP can do for STEAM/STEM applications.  However, the emphasis for this platform is on  industrial applications based on academic research, converting theory into practice.

Detection of Diffusion Model Generated Images

Note:  This article is subject to review and has not been published.

Synthbuster: Towards Detection of Diffusion Model Generated Images | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore

Voltage Measurement  with PhET

IEEE Industry Content Platform

Note:  This is just another example of how the AI-assisted platform can present content as a tutorial for STEAM/STEM applications.  The content was generated as a demonstration and webinar walk-through by the ICP team.  As a result, Dr Santiago was invited to be part of the ICP editorial board.

Below are related news articles by Dr John Santiago published at IEEE Region 5 during the past year when being inspired by Bitcoin technologies with its associated and profound societal implications.

1. What If? A MAP-Future Shaped by KEYSTONE Principles and the IEEE Pikes Peak Vision

• Summary: This article explores a future where technological innovation and societal harmony coexist, emphasizing collaboration, resilience, and ethical stewardship.
• Read more:  What If? A MAP-Future Shaped by KEYSTONE Principles and the IEEE Pikes Peak Vision – IEEE Region 5

2. What If One Mentor Changed Everything? A Thought Experiment for IEEE

• Summary: A thought experiment highlighting the impact of mentorship within IEEE, addressing challenges like plateauing membership growth and engagement.
• Read more:  What If One Mentor Changed Everything? A Thought Experiment for IEEE – IEEE Region 5

3. Thought Experiment: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders with PyramidX-OS and IEEE STEAM TEAMS

• Summary: Imagines a world where young minds are inspired towards engineering and leadership through initiatives like PyramidX-OS and IEEE STEAM TEAMS.
• Read more:  Thought Experiment: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders with PyramidX-OS and IEEE STEAM TEAMS – IEEE Region 5

4. A Leader Builds Other Leaders: A Leader’s Reflection for Engineering Students and Young Professionals

• Summary: Discusses the journey of self-leadership and team leadership for engineering students and young professionals, emphasizing that leadership is developed, not innate.
• Read more:  A Leader Builds Other Leaders: A Leader’s Reflection for Engineering Students and Young Professionals – IEEE Region 5

5.  Blockchain Technology and Voting Systems

• Summary: Explores how blockchain technology can enhance voting systems by providing transparency and decentralization, allowing citizens to verify that their representatives genuinely reflect their voices.
• Read more: Blockchain Technology and Voting Systems – IEEE Region 5

6. Bitcoin Miners and Decentralized Banks: The Future No One Saw Coming

• Summary: A thought experiment designed to spark curiosity and inspire new perspectives about Bitcoin, bridging technical and philosophical concepts.
• Read more:  Bitcoin Miners and Decentralized Banks: The Future No One Saw Coming – IEEE Region 5

7. Thought Experiment: Blockchain’s Role to Improve and Evolve Within a Global and Existing Monetary System

• Summary: Explores how blockchain technology can enhance and evolve within the current global monetary system, fostering a deeper understanding of its potential.
• Read more:  Thought Experiment: Blockchain’s Role to Improve and Evolve Within a Global and Existing Monetary System – IEEE Region 5

8. Do You See The Light In Bitcoin?

• Summary: A thought experiment aimed at bridging technical and philosophical concepts, fostering a deeper understanding of Bitcoin.
• Read more:  Do You See The Light In Bitcoin? – IEEE Region 5

9. The Mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto: A Humble Engineer or STEAM-Driven Collective And Philanthropist

• Summary: Encourages young professionals to reflect on the attributes displayed by Satoshi Nakamoto, fostering a deeper understanding of the origins of Bitcoin.
• Read more:  The Mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto: A Humble Engineer or STEAM-Driven Collective And Philanthropist – IEEE Region 5

10. Reimagining Global Stability: How Decentralized Technology Could Usher in a New Era of Sustainable Peace

• Summary: Imagines a world where global stability is maintained through shared cooperation and economic empowerment, moving beyond systems like Mutually Assured Destruction.
• Read more:  Reimagining Global Stability: How Decentralized Technology Could Usher in a New Era of Sustainable Peace – IEEE Region 5

11. Engineering a Better Economy: Why KEYSTONE-Based Technologies Matter More Than Ever

• Summary: Discusses the potential of engineering a global economy operating on principles of harmony, sustainability, and shared prosperity through KEYSTONE-based technologies.
• Read more:  Engineering a Better Economy: Why KEYSTONE-Based Technologies Matter More Than Ever – IEEE Region 5

12. What If Every IEEE Member Followed the Fibonacci Mentorship Model?

• Summary: Explores a mentorship model inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, envisioning a world where IEEE members create exponential growth in mentorship and knowledge sharing.
• Read more: Read here

13. The Bridge, the Lighthouse, and the Stars: A Leadership Metaphor for Building Legacies

• Summary: Introduces a metaphorical framework for leadership, using the imagery of a bridge, a lighthouse, and stars to guide leaders in building lasting legacies.
• Read more: Read here

14. What If Leadership Could Be Engineered?

• Summary: Examines the concept of “engineering leadership” through structured methodologies, fostering a mindset where leadership principles are approached systematically and iteratively.
• Read more: Read here

15.  Make Greatness Attainable for All: Engineering Leadership That Transforms the Future 

• Summary:  The article “Make Greatness Attainable for All: Engineering Leadership That Transforms the Future” emphasizes the pivotal role of engineering leaders in fostering inclusive cultures, promoting equity, and building enduring legacies through metaphors like bridges, lighthouses, and constellations. It underscores the transformative power of gratitude in leadership and challenges leaders to create pathways, provide clarity during uncertainty, and cultivate collaborative environments where every team member’s potential contributes to the greater mission.
• Read more: Read here

16.  Beyond the Product: Why the Engineering Process is the True Mark of Innovation 

• The article emphasizes that in engineering, a robust process—characterized by curiosity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and value creation—is fundamental to achieving meaningful and innovative outcomes, with the final product serving as a testament to the efficacy of this process.
• Read more:  Read here

17.  Why Fit In When You Were Born to Stand Out: The IEEE Journey from GROW to GLOW to GROW

• In engineering, as in life, progress is never linear—it is an ongoing cycle of learning, innovation, and leadership. Within IEEE, this cycle is captured in the seamless transition from GROW to GLOW and then GLOW to GROW, a leadership model that empowers engineers to move beyond technical mastery and become catalysts for future generations.
• Read more:  Read here

18.  What If Engineering Is a Form of Stewardship?

Imagine that every law of physics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism was placed in the universe, not by chance, but as part of a structured, pre-existing order waiting to be discovered. Now, consider this given the dramatic change we experienced during and after the COVID lockdown: as engineers, are we merely problem solvers, or are we stewards, entrusted with uncovering and applying these laws responsibly?

• Read more:  Read here

19.  Scaling “My Story, My Professional Home, My IEEE”

This article applies First Principles Thinking—famously used by Elon Musk—to analyze and validate a scalable storytelling solution proposed by Dr. John Santiago using Camtasia to preserve and amplify IEEE member impact. By breaking legacy mentorship barriers with multimedia tools and pilot testing an AI-assisted model, IEEE can transform storytelling into infrastructure, fostering global inspiration through local voices.

• Read More:  Scaling “My Story, My Professional Home, My IEEE” – IEEE Region 5

For more articles and detailed information, visit IEEE Region 5’s news page

Some lessons learned from Elon Musk

Evaluation of a book at Amazon