Kelly and Julian are joined by Microsoft Cloud Advocate Gwyneth Peña-Sigüenza to explore why working with small language models (SLMs) may be one of the best ways to understand AI. Rather than relying on increasingly capable models that hide complexity, Gwyneth argues that constraints build stronger fundamentals. From prompt engineering and context management to deployment and security, SLMs force learners to think more carefully about how AI actually works.

The conversation extends beyond AI models into learning itself. Gwyneth shares her self-taught journey from growing up on a remote farm in Ecuador with limited internet access to becoming a Microsoft Cloud Advocate and creator of the Learn to Cloud platform. Along the way, the group discusses productive struggle, mentorship, cloud engineering, Python, security, and what educators should prioritize as AI becomes part of every student's learning experience.

The episode closes with a thoughtful discussion about AI dependency, judgment, and whether we would actually flip the switch and turn AI off if given the choice.

Show Notes

Wins of the Week

• Gwyneth celebrates the New York Knicks reaching the NBA Finals after more than 50 years.
• Julian shares that he has accepted a new role as a Fractional CTO.
• Kelly reflects on taking her first real vacation in over a year—and how stepping away from work sparked unexpected ideas.

Small Language Models

• Why SLMs are valuable teaching tools
• Learning prompt engineering through constraints
• Running models locally on everyday hardware
• When local AI makes sense for classrooms
• Understanding tokens, context windows, and model limitations
• Why bigger models can sometimes hide important lessons

Learning Through Constraints

• Learning to drive in an old manual pickup truck as a metaphor for learning AI fundamentals
• Why difficult learning experiences often create lasting understanding
• Building strong habits before relying on more capable tools
• Consistency versus constantly chasing the newest resource

Self-Taught Learning

• Growing up without reliable internet in rural Ecuador
• Downloading YouTube playlists to learn programming offline
• Developing discipline through limited access
• The value of repetition and focused practice
• Why mentorship accelerates learning

Python Journey

• Transitioning from cloud engineering to Python advocacy
• Learning Python beyond scripting
• Discovering what "Pythonic" really means
• Wrestling with list comprehensions and other advanced syntax
• Favorite learning resources:
  • Fluent Python
  • Effective Python

Learn to Cloud

• Building an open-source cloud engineering curriculum
• Hands-on labs and automated verification
• AI-assisted assessment
• Supporting self-taught learners around the world
• Creating accessible technical education

Cloud, AI, and Security

• Deploying AI applications to the cloud
• Containers, virtual machines, and serverless deployments
• Why operations and security deserve more classroom attention
• Introducing secure development practices early
• The importance of authentication, secrets management, and responsible deployment

Teaching in the AI Era

• Helping students understand how AI works instead of simply using it
• Why productive struggle still matters
• The changing role of educators
• Balancing AI assistance with independent thinking
• Preparing students for a future where AI is always available

Final Thoughts

• AI dependency versus capability
• Judgment as the skill that matters most
• Human connection in an AI-driven world
• Would we actually turn AI off?
• Finding balance between technological progress and intentional learning

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Introduction

• Welcome to this week's episode, entirely devoted to CircuitPython. We're excited to have Kattni Rembor from Adafruit as our special guest, who has contributed extensively to the CircuitPython platform, from beginner guides to advanced projects.

Kattni's Win of the Week

• Kattni shares her current project, a guide for creating a keyboard key switch with NeoPixels underneath. Each key press generates a random LED color.

Our Wins of the Week

• Kelly Schuster-Paredes, currently on vacation, shares her achievement of resting for two consecutive minutes.
• Sean shares his experience using the Marp tool for presentations but admits to time management struggles.

CircuitPython Introduction

• We delve into CircuitPython, a version of Python designed for microcontrollers. Created for beginners and educational purposes, it provides a unique approach to learning Python.

CircuitPython Applications

• Kattni enlightens us on the vast applications of CircuitPython, ranging from environmental sensing to assistive technologies for people with disabilities.

CircuitPython Capabilities

• We discuss how CircuitPython simplifies complex tasks, fostering creativity and making tasks like LED blinking quite straightforward.

CircuitPython Boards

• At the time of recording, there are 413 boards compatible with CircuitPython available at circuitpython.org. We also discuss Adafruit's educational pricing and discounts.

Top CircuitPython Boards

• We list our top five favorite boards for education, ease of use, and fun projects, including Blue fruit and Circuit Playground Express.

Getting Started with CircuitPython

• Starting with CircuitPython can be challenging for beginners. We discuss some common issues and solutions, like copying required libraries immediately after importing.

CircuitPython in the Classroom

• We highlight the immense possibilities of CircuitPython in educational settings and encourage educators to explore its potential.

Connect with Kattni Rembor

• You can follow Kattni Rembor's projects on the Adafruit Learning System and on social media platforms like Mastodon.

Live Streaming Announcement

• Kelly announces the "Summer of Streaming," aiming to live stream every Wednesday at three.

Closing Remarks

• We wrap up the episode with Kattni expressing her enjoyment in discussing CircuitPython and her excitement for future projects. Sean and Kelly sign off, looking forward to the next episode.

Special Guest: Kattni Rembor.

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