Fall H-STEM Series Highlights Intersections of Art, Culture and STEM

The Worldwide College of Arts & Sciences wrapped up its fall Humanistic STEM (H-STEM) Speaker Series on Nov. 19 with a virtual presentation by South African artist and filmmaker Ralph Ziman, creator of The MiG-21 Project. The event examined Ziman’s large-scale beaded reconstruction of a Cold War MiG-21 fighter jet and highlighted his collaboration with Southern African artisans to transform an artifact of conflict into a work of cultural reflection.

The three-part series held Oct. 22, Nov. 12 and Nov. 19 was organized and led by Christy Reynolds, assistant professor of the practice in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology. The series brought together speakers whose work connects science, technology and the humanities, offering students, faculty and staff opportunities to explore interdisciplinary approaches to STEM.

As part of the Nov. 19 program, the college also partnered with the Museum of Flight in Seattle to provide a behind-the-scenes tour of The MiG-21 Project. The experience offered additional context on the exhibit’s development and installation, including its artistic, cultural and historical significance.

The series is designed to broaden understanding of STEM fields by incorporating humanistic perspectives. “These conversations help our community think about science and technology in ways that include culture, creativity and global context,” Reynolds said.

The H-STEM Speaker Series will continue in the 2026 academic year, with additional events to be announced by the Worldwide College of Arts & Sciences.