April STEAM TEAMS Meeting: Challenge Coin Recognition and Sample Light Snap Circuits Demos (Photonics)

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Join us for an evening of recognition, mentorship, hands-on learning, and community connection at the next IEEE Pikes Peak Section STEAM-TEAMS Monthly Meeting.

Monday, April 27, 2026
6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
21st Century Library. ENT Conference Room
1175 Chapel Hills Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

This month’s meeting is a special opportunity to bring together IEEE members, student members, families, guests, and past and present volunteers for an evening of learning, recognition, and community connection.

We will be recognizing our 2025 STEAM-TEAMS participants with challenge coins as a small token of appreciation for the time, service, and encouragement they have given to others through STEM and STEAM outreach.

We will also share a brief Light Snap Circuits demonstration as a fun introduction to photonics, along with updates connected to the Cool Science Festival and Fair.

This gathering reflects something we deeply value in the IEEE Pikes Peak Section: building not only programs, but people. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and community engagement, we continue working to make leadership more welcoming, more visible, and more meaningful for the next generation.

If you are interested in:

  • STEM and STEAM activities
  • mentoring students and young professionals
  • family-friendly engineering outreach
  • growing leadership through service and encouragement

we would be glad to have you join us.

Website: https://r5.ieee.org/pikespeak

#IEEE #IEEEPikesPeakSection #STEAMTEAMS #STEM #STEAM #Mentorship #Photonics #EngineeringEducation #FamilyFriendly #VolunteerLeadership #CoolScience


  Date and Time

  Location

  Hosts

  Registration


  • Add_To_Calendar_icon Add Event to Calendar
  • 1175 Chapel Hills Drive
  • Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • United States 80920
  • Building: 21st Century Library
  • Room Number: ENT Conference Room
  • Contact Event Host
  • Starts 12 April 2026 06:00 AM UTC
  • Ends 27 April 2026 06:00 AM UTC
  • No Admission Charge

  Speakers

John

Topic:

Challenge Coins and Photonics Demos

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:




Agenda