Maker Life Stories: University of Texas El Paso - a podcast by untmakerspace

This one of 2 sessions with the energized, knowledgeable and maker minded individuals from the UTEP Makerspace.

Hosted by: Madan Mohan, Spark Specialist 2022

Guests:

George Molina

George Molina is a Junior majoring in Computer Science studying at the University of Texas at El Paso with a specialization for video game development. His specialty is creating new experiences for students in game design, this includes Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.

He currently works at the University as an Enterprise Mc/Pc Support Specialist where he helps manage the GAIA makerspace, working on student/resource development as well as assist in managing the department’s campus wide classroom support operations.

Alongside his regular duties he is the President/Founder of Bandit Game Studio, a game development studio organization operating out of the university. The game studio focuses on creating games that are not only fun but challenging for members to develop, this includes developing for Extended Reality platforms. In conjunction with creating games the studio also focuses on providing educational opportunities for members of the community to learn about game development, examples include giving workshops on game development related topics and giving week long trainings to local k-12 educators on gamification in the classroom.

But his passion for game development does not end there, he is also a Research Assistant with the Computer Science department at the university, working on developing a game to help encourage bilingual (specifically Spanish - English) middle school students to join STEM related fields. His team working with a local school district to incorporate the game into their curriculum.

Alejandra Maciel

Alejandra Maciel is a Computer Scientist, currently working on getting her Masters degree. She works as an Instructional Technologist within Learning Environments (LE) at the University of Texas at El Paso. At LE she helps manage the GAIA Makerspace, as well assist faculty enhance and adapt their course curriculums to be innovative and immerse the technologies and resources provided by GAIA. She also works developing new Audio Visual (AV) systems to path the way for a “Connected” education model, which allows all classes, meetings, workshops and events to be hybrid and extends the audience reach.

Throughout her time working for LE, she has developed skills in 3D design and 3D printing, as well as in fabrication tools, computerized control machines such as CNC and laser engraving, among others. She is also certified as a Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager Technician, Extron AV Associate, Extron Control Specialist and Apple Teacher.

Aside from her work endeavors, Alejandra is a Co-Founder and Administrative Studio Head of Bandit Game Studio. Bandit is a college student-led Game Development student organization with a real industry-based structure that was founded in the middle of the pandemic on 2020. The organization focuses on mentoring members acquire the necessary skills to start developing and providing resources and opportunities to the community, El Paso, Texas. The organization has deployed an Augmented Reality mobile application for the makerspace and is currently working on a Virtual Reality game, both in which Alejandra contributed as an Animator, Web Developer and Programmer.

Randy Anaya

Randy Anaya is an Instructional Technologist in the Learning Environments Department at the University of Texas at El Paso. He Received a Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on the use of Art and Technology in Teaching and Learning in UTEP, a BA in Media Advertising at UTEP and a BFA in Graphic Design with a minor in Multimedia design from the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Randy works on research and development of applying the creative process, career exploration, resiliency and skill acquisition to workshops, trainings and student engagement through the GAIA Makerspace. Currently doing extensive research and deployment of emerging technologies to redefine the classroom, mentoring and excellence through student interaction as well as promoting student growth and achievement through the GAIA Makerspace and Personal Learning Experiences which showcase the achievements, research and overall excellence that UTEP students offer to the world.

Hector Lugo

Hector Lugo works as Senior Instructional Technologist at The University of Texas at El Paso. Mr. Lugo’s vision is to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics to students, with easy access and constant immersion with trending technology such as 3D design and print in order to expand their professional potential. Hector strongly agrees on the idea to develop, oversee and assess engaging students in expanding their knowledge, creativity and contributing the community with heavy project based learning assignments; such ideas can be possible with the new expansion space of a unique makerspace that could bring infinite possibilities.

 

Sound Production: Madan Mohan

Producer: Judy Hunter, Jake Jacobson

Further episodes of UNT MindSpark

Further podcasts by untmakerspace

Website of untmakerspace