August 2026

Back to School Resources

The first day of school is approaching.

In some areas, it's already happened.

Here are some resources you might like to check out, for this new semester.

Art class in session

Free, high-quality online art lessons, complete with downloadable lesson plans, are available courtesy of nonprofit Blackwing Foundation!

Their Pathways to Creativity program was created in collaboration with Art Classes for Kids, the Art Series.

And while Blackwing Foundation's website says these programs are designed for grades 1 through 6, these highly-engaging lessons on perspective drawing, abstract, portraiture and much more could easily "hook" those of us who finished sixth grade long ago. (There's a lettering series, too--and some new coming attractions for Autumn 2026!)

Link: https://blackwingfoundation.org/pathwaystocreativity/​

In love with...microbiology?!?

"Yesss! Time for microbiology class!" said--no art student, ever.

MedMicroMaps Founder Dr. Jane Harrington is changing that perspective.

Her new immersive science discovery game, MicrobeXR, releases on the Meta store on September 9th.

Dr. Jane, who loves science, is both Chief Science Officer at Colorado-based Future State University, and a freelance AI-XR education consultant. With her MedMicromaps co-founder Ian Holyoak (who is also her husband), she has designed a game that makes science education approachable, inclusive, and--well, fun.

MicrobeXR starts with players taking a "Magic School Bus" to a tonsil. Once there, they shrink to the size of a virus and battle bacteria.

And they're guided by a cute, whimsical mascot, who just happens to be a bacteria phage named Phage.i!

Dr. Jane admits that anyone seeing Phage.i tends to respond with an, "Awwww..." and you may, too. (Which is vastly different from our memories of science textbooks and lectures!)

Link: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/microbe-xr/26671150639209823/?srsltid=AfmBOori6kqQplnckqrlABCSKAQz-Pu7v08ufSi88Nvg_F3uiRBfPKJl​

Want more STEAM resources?

Here's a link to our webpage, to subscribe to our Over Coffee® podcast: https://twomaverix.com.

Happy new semester! See you next week!