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Danny & Laura: Making STEM more accessible
In this episode of the Square Roots Podcast, Danny takes over as host for a conversation with Laura, an educator, programmer and creator of the guizero Python library.
They talk about Laura’s journey from discovering HTML at school to teaching computing and creating accessible programming tools, and how Danny’s own experiences of coding have led him from using guizero as a student to helping make Flock XR more accessible.
Together, they explore accessible design, collaboration and how AI is changing the skills we need in computing. Danny also shares how technology supports his own communication and how his experiences in STEM are influencing his ambition to become an occupational therapist.
It’s a conversation about curiosity, accessibility and the unexpected places a passion for STEM can take you.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:00 Meet Laura
03:00 Discovering technology and STEM
06:00 From computer science to teaching
08:00 From teaching to writing and Raspberry Pi
10:00 Danny’s experience with guizero
18:00 How guizero began
21:00 Learning, programming and finding the right tools
23:00 Favourite programming languages
26:00 AI and the future of computing education
29:00 AI, accessibility and communication
31:00 Danny and Laura’s work on Flock XR
32:30 From computing to occupational therapy
35:00 Accessible game development
35:30 Using an AI voice as an accessibility tool
36:30 Final thoughts
https://www.lightyearfoundation.org
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, follow the podcast and share it with someone interested in accessible STEM, technology and inclusive design.
A Python library designed to make creating graphical user interfaces simple and accessible for learners.
https://lawsie.github.io/guizero/about/
Flock XRA 3D block-based programming environment. Danny and Laura discuss their work together on improving keyboard accessibility.
https://flockxr.com/
Raspberry Pi FoundationComputing education, resources and opportunities for young people and educators.
https://www.raspberrypi.org/
Code ClubFree coding clubs and resources helping young people develop programming and digital skills.
https://codeclub.org/
CoderDojoA global community of free coding clubs for young people.
https://coderdojo.com/
SpringpodVirtual work experience and career exploration opportunities. Danny discusses using Springpod as part of exploring occupational therapy.
https://www.springpod.com/
Becoming OccupationalDanny is documenting his journey towards becoming an occupational therapy student, sharing the experiences and ideas that are shaping the career he hopes to build.
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/becoming-occupational-7449085566949670913/
Substack
https://becomingoccupational.substack.com/
Accessibility Note
During parts of this episode, Danny uses an AI-generated version of his own voice as a communication and accessibility tool, helping to reduce fatigue and support prepared questions.
#STEM #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #AI #Coding #Technology #DisabilityInSTEM #YoungPeople #SquareRootsPodcast #LightyearFoundation
More episodes
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00:59||Season 1, Ep. 0Hi there, I am Rosie from Lightyear Foundation, where we work to break down the barriers disabled and neurodivergent young people face when engaging with STEM. You might be asking what STEM is? Well, it stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, but we're interested in what it really means to disabled and neurodivergent young people. That's where Squar3roots comes in! Squar3roots is a podcast about STEM, but not as you know it. Here, young people are leading change in the community through inspirational conversations in STEM. Each episode, you'll hear about the science, technology, engineering, and maths topics which are important and personal to young people, through conversations with people that inspire them. So join us, and become part of our community where everyone is a scientist!Lightyear Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightyearfdn/Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lightyearfoundation4190/podcasts Lightyear Foundation website: https://www.lightyearfoundation.org/ Production by Sandbox Broadcasting: https://icaw-cic.com/sandboxThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.