Hi there, I'm Celeste! (a.k.a. CEMO)
In second grade, I wanted to be a gymnast, artist, teacher, and writer. Instead of picking one of these career paths, I chose all of them! (minus the gymnast part). I design creative learning experiences, tools, and kits for curious minds of all ages. I specialize in sparking ideas, building confidence, and creating connections.
My Background:
I have a multidisciplinary professional background as a designer and maker, out-of-school educator, and qualitative researcher. I received my B.S. in Scientific Visualization from Iowa State University, and my M.S. and Ph.D. in Creative Technologies and Design from the ATLAS Institute at CU Boulder.
I have shared my love for, and developed my expertise in designing creative hands-on learning experiences all over the learning landscape – I have supported educational program and exhibit design at the Science Center of Iowa, co-designed and contributed to curriculum development at the AdamsK12 School District (makerspace technologies) and OpenSciEd (high school science), taught workshops and classes for all ages in spaces like CU Science Discovery and the Junkyard Social Club, completed residencies at the Tinkering Studio at the Exploratorium and fellowships at the AIMS Center for science and math education and Atlanta International School, developed content for and provided research and development services for educational technology companies like Chibitronics and Apple, and engaged in long term community-based research inititatives focused on creative learning with technology inside and outside of schools as a research assistant in the Laboratory for Playful Computation and Creative Communities research group. The list goes on! More importantly, no matter where I am designing, people, play, creativity, and learning are at the heart.
These days, I work as a Creative Technologist in the makerspaces in the Boulder Public Library District. I teach workshops and classes, and facilitate community use of the makerspaces.