a president's circle event
STEAM-powered solutions:
driving community change through young innovators
event details
join the circlejune 22
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
national children's museum
washington, dc
this event is invite only
join the President's Circle for invitations to future thought leadership events
about
STEAM-Powered Solutions: Driving Community Change Through Young Innovators
A National Children’s Museum President Circle Event, inspired by the work of fourth-grade students participating in the DC STEAM Expo — a 9-month STEAM (science, technology, engineering, math, and arts) exploration program at National Children’s Museum, prompting young innovators to use their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills to develop solutions for challenges in their community. By strengthening these abilities early, STEAM education empowers young people to become active contributors to the growth and resilience of their local communities.
Panel Overview:
This panel will explore how young learners can identify and address challenges in their own community through STEAM lenses, and how educators, caregivers, and community organizations can support them by encouraging innovative and creative problem-solving. Panelists will highlight the importance of providing children with meaningful STEAM learning experiences, encouraging the development of skills needed to recognize issues within their communities, think critically about potential solutions, and apply creativity and collaboration to drive positive change.
Student + Educator Discussion:
A National Children’s Museum educator leads a conversation on about the June 6th, 2026, DC STEAM Expo, presented in collaboration with the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The discussion will offer a case study on providing students opportunities to integrate STEAM learning into their own ideas, interests, and real-world experiences.
distinguished speakers
kari byron
For over two decades Kari Byron has been a strong presence in the world of science, adventure and travel television. She is best known as Discovery Channel’s first and longest running female presenter on its flagship show Mythbusters but has gone on to present and produce shows spanning several networks. Her passion and advocacy for science continues to be showcased as a co-founder of the National STEM Festival in Washington DC., as well as a successful podcaster, author and entrepreneur.
heidi gibson
Heidi Gibson is the Manager for the Global Sustainability Series at the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). Heidi manages a team developing the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research guides, transformative educational materials designed to support youth to discover, understand, and act on global issues within the context of their local communities. Previously as an SSEC research fellow, Heidi helped develop the structure of the guides and aligned them to frameworks from socio-scientific, place-based, participatory action, and civic and global learning research. She is passionate about engaging young people to realize their own power to transform the world. She has a Master of Arts degree in international education from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of William and Mary. Heidi authored the book From Ideas to Actions: Transforming Learning Using Critical Global Issues and her past work includes researching and directing global education programs, serving in the US diplomatic corps, and teaching civics using an experiential approach.
sophie shrand
moderator
moderator
arlyne simon
Dr. Arlyne Simon is an inventor, biomedical engineer, and author of the ABBY INVENTS® children’s book series. She works as an AI Systems Architect at Intel Health and Life Sciences. She has been honored as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) IF/THEN® Ambassador, and her life-size statue has been exhibited at the Smithsonian and the MIT Museum. It is currently on display at Vital Voices in Washington DC. Her books, Abby Invents® Unbreakable Crayons and Abby Invents® The Foldibot, introduce K-5 students to inventing and patenting. Both titles have earned recognition from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Purdue University, and named a finalist for the 2022 AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Children’s Science Picture Books.
Arlyne’s healthcare innovations include a blood test, syringe designs, and ultrasound imaging advancements. She holds a doctorate degree in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan and a bachelor's in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech.
You can learn more about her work at abbyinvents.com or at arlynesimon.com
photos from past events
president's circle
This conversations serves as one of many exclusive and engaging events for President's Circle members. These events delve into the intersections of children's education, science, technology, and culture, fostering collaboration and innovative solutions to enhance STEAM learning experiences for children.
The President’s Circle is a group of visionary leaders and dedicated advocates committed to the museum’s mission of inspiring children to care about and change the world. Fostering collaboration and promoting impactful thought leadership, membership in the President’s Circle provides access to exclusive events designed to lead the national conversation around early education through innovation and solution-oriented synergy.
event goals
showcase youth innovation
Highlight student-led projects addressing real-world community challenges through STEAM thinking.
demonstrate learning beyond walls
Show how museums and informal learning centers extend STEAM education into communities.
celebrate creative problem-solving
Illustrate the impact of tinkering mindsets on positive community outcomes.
share best practices
Build awareness of how STEAM learning activates children as community changemakers.