Free Educational Topics in Los Angeles & Orange County

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  • Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend

    Carol Shafer, Retired GIA Jeweler, Carol Shafer Fine Jewelry

    Learn about diamond mining and gain valuable information about maintenance of diamonds and gold. Most fine jewelry sales are just that...selling. Carol contributes much more by teaching how to keep the luster and beauty of jewelry for years to come. The song "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" has a double entendre for Carol as she was also a Marilyn Monroe impersonator for twenty years. MORE >

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  • Dare Mighty Things – A Short History of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    David Lehman, Project Manager, Retired from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    The origins of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory date back to the 1930s, when Caltech professor Theodore von Kármán oversaw pioneering work in rocket propulsion. After unsuccessful and sometimes hazardous experiments, several of his graduate students were forced to move their work off campus. They chose the Arroyo Seco, a dry canyon wash north of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California – and future home of JPL. This early work grew into a laboratory of over 4000 employees that has sent spacecraft to every planet in our solar system and two spacecraft now in interstellar space. MORE >

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  • Break the Cycle: Why We Repeat the Same Patterns—and How to Stop

    Melinar Sardar, M.A., CPLC, CEO / Founder, Heal with Zeal, LLC and Sardar Coaching and Training

    “Break the Cycle: Why We Repeat the Same Patterns—and How to Stop” helps audiences understand how both the conscious and subconscious mind shape the habits, reactions, and relationship dynamics we find ourselves stuck in. Melina Sardar, M.A., CPLC, explains why certain emotional patterns feel so familiar, why we return to them even when they no longer serve us, and what it takes to create space for new choices. This talk guides participants to recognize their triggers, increase self-awareness, and develop healthier responses so they can step out of old cycles and into a more empowered way of living. MORE >

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  • Are We Alone? For Kids

    David Lehman, Project Manager, Retired from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    Imagine looking up at the stars and wondering: “Is someone out there wondering about us too?” Scientists ask that question every day! But first, they have to figure out what life really is — anything that grows, eats, and changes. To search for life, we use giant telescopes on Earth and even floating in space! We send brave robots on missions, like the Mars Sample Return to bring back pieces of Mars, and the Europa Clipper to explore a moon covered in ice! Scientists also use the Drake Equation, a kind of space treasure map, to guess how many alien civilizations might be out there. But there’s a puzzle called the Fermi Paradox — if life should be everywhere, why haven’t we seen it yet? Our plan? Build better telescopes, explore more worlds, and never give up! Maybe you will be the space explorer who finds the answer! MORE >

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  • Agents of Influence: Gaming for Truth in an AI World

    Anahita Dalmia, CEO, Alterea Inc.

    In today’s digital landscape, truth has become harder than ever to pin down. Artificial intelligence generates flawless fakes, while social media echo chambers amplify only what we already believe. The result is a world where misinformation spreads faster than fact, and trust feels increasingly fragile. This session explores how gaming can be more than play—it can be a powerful tool for navigating this reality. MORE >

    Through the lens of Agents of Influence, a spy-themed educational game, we will look at how interactive storytelling and game mechanics can break through cognitive blind spots, disrupt the echo chamber effect, and train players to think critically about the information they consume.

    Audience members will leave with practical insights into how the design principles behind gaming can be applied to education, communication, and leadership. They will discover strategies for helping digital natives—and themselves—recognize manipulation, question assumptions, and make more informed choices in an era shaped by AI and algorithmic feeds. Above all, participants will come away with a renewed sense of possibility: that the very technologies fueling misinformation can also be reimagined as tools for truth, resilience, and agency.

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  • A Martian’s Thoughts about being a Good Speaker and Leader

    David Lehman, Project Manager, Retired from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    The theme of this talk will revolve around the significance of effective communication, leadership, and vision in the context of space exploration, particularly missions to Mars. It will emphasize the importance of clear communications, strong leadership qualities, and visionary thinking in overcoming challenges and achieving success in endeavors such as space travel to Mars. It will also highlight notable figures who have exemplified these qualities throughout history, drawing parallels between their achievements and the challenges faced in space exploration. Overall, the theme will convey the message that effective communication and leadership are essential for the success of future Mars missions and for those who aspire to follow their dreams. MORE >

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