Ava Simmons (aka Ava the STEM Princess) encourages others to believe in themselves. Let’s learn how we can use science, technology, engineering, and math to pursue our goals.
Ava Simmons (aka Ava the STEM Princess) encourages others to believe in themselves. Let’s learn how we can use science, technology, engineering, and math to pursue our goals.
Learn more about Team Genius Squad by visiting teamgeniussquad.com
The Activators
S1 EP09, Ava the STEM Princess and Team Genius Squad
[INTRODUCTION]
Leo: Welcome to The Activators!: A Kids Podcast About Activism.
I’m your host, Leo Abelo Perry!
On this podcast, we want to celebrate and amplify kids who are activating social change by using what they love to spread more love. Social change means providing opportunities for people and communities to recognize what’s wrong and do something about it, for the betterment of humanity.
And on today’s show we’re talking to Ava the STEM Princess, founder of Team Genius Squad.
But first, how are you today, on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being “things are rough” and 5 being “really, really good”?
I’d say I’m a 5.
No matter how you’re feeling, it’s all okay. I’m glad that you’re here with me today.
And did you know doing a self-check can help you to understand how ready you are to learn new things or meet new people.
For now, you can just sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired.
[MEET AVA THE STEM PRINCESS]
Leo: Today’s guest is Ava Simmons, a.k.a. Ava the STEM Princess.
She’s on a mission to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.) awareness, encourage individuals to believe in themselves, to identify their uniqueness, and pursue their goals.
While you listen, think about what things are challenging for you. Maybe there’s an opportunity to overcome those challenges by pairing them with something you love!
Just like what Ava’s doing! And I can’t wait for you to learn more about her work!
Here’s my interview with Ava the STEM Princess.
[INTERVIEW WITH AVA THE STEM PRINCESS]
Leo: Hi, Ava. How are you doing?
Ava: Good. How are you?
Leo: Good. Can you tell us your name and your age?
Ava: My name is Ava. I'm 8 years old, an entrepreneur, and creator of Team Genius Squad.
Leo: Cool. How are you feeling out of a one being your life is being totally awful right now. And five being off the charts amazing?
Ava: Amazing.
Leo: Wow. Okay. What are some of your hobbies?
Ava: I like to play Legos, playing Roblox and build and let's see things explode.
Leo: That’s uh... Yeah! That's pretty fun.
Ava: Do you have any hobbies?
Leo: I played basketball. I hang out with my dog. That's just, that's just the, usually the two things that I do. Oh. And I dance. Oh yeah. I love blowing stuff up. Like I just did. I went to college, I just did a citric acid and sodium bicarbonate explosion with red dyed water, I think.
Ava: That's the acid base reaction.
Leo: Yeah, that's what I… [giggles]
Leo: How did Team Genius get started?
Ava: I have problems reading and I was testing then confirm I had reading challenges and I was a visual learner. So one day I asked my mom to help me. She said, do you love YouTube so much? If you find the experiments and write the script, we can show the world how talented you are. And that's how I became Ava the STEM Princess, of Team Genius Squad.
I've been doing it for two years.
Leo: Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. That's crazy.
Wow. How are you trying to change the world?
Ava: By encouraging others using stem activities and making an impact on reading and math literacy.
Leo: We’ll be back with Ava the STEM Princess and encouraging others to explore their genius, right after this quick break.
[BREAK]
Leo: Welcome back to The Activators!
And my conversation with Ava the STEM Princess of Team Genius Squad. Hey… what does STEM stand for anyway?
Ava: Well, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. And we use them every single day, cooking science, writing in the cars, engineering and technology and playing video games is technology and math.
That's why I love STEM because STEM is awesome and STEM is everywhere.
Leo: Wow. Yeah.
Ava: Well, my fav, my most favorite experiment’s the acid base reaction because I like seeing it explode and seeing the colors go everywhere.
Leo: Yeah.
Ava: And also science like STEM.
Leo: That's... That's great.
How do you picture the world in the future?
Ava: I think just successful geniuses making their impact on the world and encouraging others using STEM like I did.
Leo: That's really cool. How do you feel about being a role model?
Ava: It makes me feel proud and excited because I'm encouraging others. And, and by making an impact on the world by helping others that don't have to go through what I went through.
Leo: Who's your role model?
Ava: My role model is Dr. Mae Jemison because she changed history and made an impact on the world. And she was the first black woman to go to space.
Leo: Yeah, I've heard about her. Yeah.
Leo: Ava is helping a lot of kids love learning science, technology, engineering, and math skills through Team Genius Squad and her awesome STEM activities, but this experience has also helped her a lot, too!
Ava: Well, it's really been helping me in school a lot. And what I is when it's really going to help you, my reading and math skills in school. Cause I, when I was in first grade, I couldn't really read or, and I didn't really have the answers. So kids kept really teasing me.
Leo: No one should be teased if they’re struggling in school. That’s why we’re there, after all: to learn!
And if you were inspired by Ava today, you should definitely go learn more from her. Here’s how:
Ava: What you can find me on my website at teamgeniussquad.com and I'm all over social media platform as Ava the STEM Princess.
No matter what challenges may come your way, believe in yourself, be encouraged and find your inner genius and find things you weren't good at and make an impact on the world.
Leo: Okay. For all those listeners who are listening right now. I want you to get up, do your superhero pose. And if you're already an activator or you're just getting started, I still want you to do it.
So are you in your superhero pose? Are you ready to say activators on three? Okay, everybody ready? Okay. Let's do this 1, 2, 3.
ACTIVATORS!
Thank you, Ava.
Ava: You're welcome.
Leo: Thank you.
[CONCLUSION]
Leo: It was so great to speak with AVA the STEM Princess today and to learn more about how she’s inspiring others through Team Genius Squad!
Here are some things I learned and lessons we can take with us as we make the world a better place.
Number One. I love thinking about the different ways people learn. Are you a visual learner like Ava? Or can you read something one time and completely understand everything right away? Or, do you learn best by DOING it? I think I learn best by… all of them.
No matter how you learn, first off - way to learn! Second, if you’re not understanding something, try learning a different way. Third, support others in their learning and maybe be a little patient at the different ways and pace we all learn.
Number Two. So STEM - let’s repeat what this stands for. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. And like Ava said, STEM can be found all around us from cooking to computers!
Did you also know that sometimes people say STEAM . S. T. E. A. M. - what do you think the A stands for? I’ll wait….It’s art! So learning about the sciences through arts. I think what’s cool, no matter if it’s STEM or STEAM… it’s super hands-on and interactive.
And I love that type of learning - what about you?
Number Three. Like our other amazing guests, Ava uses what she loves doing to make a change in the world! How can you use your hobbies to help you overcome some personal challenges and maybe change your school, community and even the world for good?
[CLOSING]
Leo: Thank you to Ava Simmons, a.k.a. Ava the STEM Princess for joining me today!
You can learn more about Ava and check out her educational services by visiting www.teamgeniussquad.com.
The Activators was written by me, Leo Abelo Perry, (with a little help from my mom).
Our show is edited and produced by Matthew Winner with help from Chad Michael Snavely and the team at Sound On Studios.
Our executive producer is Jelani Memory. And this show was brought to you by A Kids Podcast About.
You can write to us at listen@akidspodcastabout.com. And check out our other podcasts made for kids just like you by visiting akidsco.com.
See you again next week for another episode of The Activators!