Using STEAM as a Catalyst for Sustainable Leadership Capacity
Using STEAM as a Catalyst for Sustainable Leadership Capacity
February 23, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
21c Library — Pikes Peak Library District
1175 Chapel Hills Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Engineers Know What Matters.
Now Let’s Scale It.
IEEE is more than a technical society — it is a professional home for leadership formation, career progression, and cross-generational mentorship
This meeting will outline a clear, intentional systems-engineering approach to using STEAM outreach as the Section’s:
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Center-of-Gravity for Community Engagement -
Leadership Flywheel (Recruit → Mentor → Activate → Replicate) (p.90_Intro-Engineering-Week_
Input-… )
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Platform for Sustainable Leadership Capacity (p.60_Intro-Engineering-Week_
Input-… )
Why Attend?
Many Sections face:
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Volunteer burnout or not enough volunteers
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Mentorship discontinuity
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Institutional knowledge gaps
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Industry engagement challenges
This session will present a structured response using:
Strategy
Infrastructure thinking and intentional design of leadership systems.
Operations
Academia–Industry–Section coordination through makerspaces and STEAM pipelines.
Tactics
Volunteer activation, student engagement, and distributed leadership growth.
What Makes This Meeting Different?
This is not a motivational talk.
It is a systems-engineering architecture for scaling:
Self-Leadership → Team Leadership → Organizational / Legacy Leadership
Built around:
Skillset × Mindset × Mentorship = Sustainable Leadership Capacity
Bring Your Kids!
This is a family-friendly event.
We will run parallel sessions:
Adult Session
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Section Strategy
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Operational Model
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Volunteer Activation Framework
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Leadership Capacity Scaling
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Career Path Integration (Academia, Industry, Young Professionals)
STEAM Demo Session for Kids
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Hands-on engineering demos
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Robotics and maker-style activities
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Encouragement toward thinking like engineers
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Inspiration for future IEEE members
We believe leadership continuity begins early.
Who Should Attend?
IEEE Members (all grades)
Academia and Industry Leaders
Young Professionals
Parents
Student Members
Future Engineers
The Goal
To build a Section where:
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Every member grows as a leader
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Every leader builds other leaders
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Career progression aligns with service
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Outreach strengthens leadership capacity
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IEEE remains the professional home for engineering excellence
The Vision
“For each year, each of the current active and engaged members, recruit one IEEE member and mentor the recruit to become active and engaged…”
That is how leadership compounds.
Be part of the intentional design.
Be part of the leadership momentum flywheel.
Help build sustainable leadership capacity.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
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Add Event to Calendar
- 21c Library β Pikes Peak Library District 1175 Chapel Hills Drive
- Colorado Springs, CO , Colorado
- United States 80920
- Room Number: ENT Conference Room
Speakers
Using STEAM as a Catalyst for Sustainable Leadership Capacity
Biography:
Dr. John Santiago is a retired United States Air Force officer with over 26 years of service in research, development, and acquisition, including work in precision-guided munitions and advanced technologies. Following his military career, he spent more than two decades in higher education as a professor and mentor, teaching electrical engineering, systems engineering, computer engineering, physics, and mathematics while guiding senior design and capstone projects.
He is an active leader in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), currently serving as the Region 5 Educational Activities Coordinator and a leader within the IEEE Pikes Peak Section. Dr. Santiago has been recognized for his contributions to STEM education, mentorship, and community engagement, including designation as an IEEE STEM Champion. His work focuses on developing sustainable leadership capacity through engineering education, mentorship pipelines, and community partnerships.
Dr. Santiago is the creator of the PyramidX-OS leadership framework and the STEAM-TEAMS initiative, which integrates technical skill development, entrepreneurial mindset, and mentorship to support workforce readiness and leadership growth across students, professionals, and communities. His programs emphasize the principle that skillset, mindset, and mentorship together create lasting impact.
He continues to volunteer extensively, developing AI-assisted educational resources, community STEM programs, and leadership training initiatives designed to improve the human condition through technology and service.
Email:
STEAM Demos on Magnets, Motors, and Microcontrollers and Monster Magic
This initial meeting will focus on simple demos of Magnets and Motors.
Biography:
Dileep Rai is an engineering professional and active IEEE volunteer dedicated to advancing STEM education, workforce development, and community engagement through technology. He has contributed to collaborative initiatives that connect industry, academia, and community partners, with a focus on practical learning experiences that inspire students and support professional growth.
Through his involvement with IEEE programs and regional activities, Dileep has supported efforts aligned with leadership development, mentorship, and outreach, including participation in initiatives that integrate hands-on engineering demonstrations with career pathway awareness. His interests include fostering innovation, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and helping build sustainable programs that strengthen technical communities.
Dileep is committed to leveraging engineering knowledge and professional networks to create opportunities for students, young professionals, and volunteers, contributing to the broader mission of advancing technology for humanity.
STEAM Demos
Biography:
Senthil Mehalingam is a technology professional and IEEE volunteer with experience in computing systems, cloud technologies, and software engineering. He has contributed to technical programs, professional activities, and knowledge sharing within IEEE, including service in leadership roles such as Vice-Chair of the IEEE Computer Society Chapter in the Pikes Peak Section.
Senthil has participated in organizing technical talks, webinars, and professional development activities that connect industry practices with engineering communities. His interests include emerging computing technologies, cloud security, and applied software solutions that support organizational innovation. He is also recognized as a senior member within the broader computing professional community, reflecting his technical experience and professional contributions.
Through his volunteer work, Senthil supports initiatives that promote technical learning, collaboration, and workforce development, contributing to IEEE’s mission of advancing technology for humanity.