Podcasthon - How Nyla Nova STEMVersity is Building the Disney of STEM | Epi 78

In this special Podcasthon episode of The Own Your Brand Show, we sit down with Nakeisha Washington, the “Global STEMSation,” to share how Nyla Nova Foundation helps kids, especially girls of color, see themselves as confident STEM leaders from as early as age three. We talk through the Nyla Nova ecosystem of books, kits, community adventures, and family programs, plus what it takes to make STEM access sustainable. 

• Nyla Nova as a science superhero built on identity and confidence 
• Early STEM exposure through activity books, stories, and hands-on learning 
• Making STEM fun with games, music, and real-world problem solving
• STEM ventures like caves, ropes courses, horseback riding, and water testing 
• Family-based STEM programs that bring parents in as learning partners 
• Why traditional schooling delays science and how a STEM lens boosts engagement 
• The sustainability problem when funding ends and kids still want more 
• Accessibility plans including a mobile STEM lab van and sponsor-ready STEM kits 
• Teacher training and licensing materials so schools can run programs in-house 
• Ways the community can help through donations, sponsorships, volunteering, and sharing 

Please check out the links. And please support Nylanova, even if it’s just shouting out on social media, that goes a long way. 

📺 WATCH ON YOUTUBE

ABOUT

Victoria Odekomaya is a Nigerian American entrepreneur, speaker, and content marketing strategist on a mission to help business owners grow their business, brand, and legacy through the power of storytelling and strategic content marketing.

She’s the founder of LiMStudios, a full-service creative agency and state-of-the-art content studio in Indianapolis where strategy and storytelling come together through high-quality content production and marketing implementation. She’s also the creator of Boss Ladies Magazine and host of The Own Your Brand Show, a video podcast to help business owners grow their business, brand, and legacy through strategic content marketing and authentic conversations about the entrepreneurial journey. 

To learn more, follow her journey through LiMStudios, Boss Ladies Magazine, and The Own Your Brand Show and join the movement to amplify voices, build legacy, and make impact.

Work with Victoria: https://f.mtr.cool/qmicsevjhv

📩 For Guest, sponsorship or inquiries:
 mtr.bio/limstudios | hello@thelimstudios.com | Text 260-777-7211

Transcript

Welcome And Podcastathon Mission

Victoria Odekomaya 0:00

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Own Your Brand Show. I'm your girl Victoria Odeko Maya, and I'm happy to participate in the fourth edition of Podcaston. So for one week, all podcasters around the world, a lot of podcasters around the world, are supporting a charity of their choice. And today I am super excited and happy to support Nyla Nova Foundation. So without much ado, let's get into it. Hi, my friend. How are you doing? Hi friends, how are you? I am so happy to have you here today and just talk about all the incredible things that you're doing with Nyla Nova Foundation. Thank you so much. Thank you for having us. Absolutely. Well, so for those that don't know, well, we're gonna get to the introduction. I am also a board member of Nyla Nova. So this was a no-brainer, okay? I had to. So for those that don't know who you are, let's start with you know, you, your background, a little bit about that.

SPEAKER_00 0:55

Okay, so I am Nakeisha Washington. I go by the Global STEM Station.

Victoria Odekomaya 1:00

Yes, yes, yes.

SPEAKER_00 1:01

And so I was a teacher, assistant principal, STEM coach, mother, and I just love education. I love STEM education, and I wanted others to love it. But sometimes when they would come into my classroom, especially girls, girls of color, they didn't see themselves. They didn't see them as confident, they didn't understand. They were thinking that you had to be like this scientist, super scientist, understand STEM, which those that don't know what STEM stands for, is science, technology, engineering, and math. Right. And so I was like, I have to do something. I have to do something. And by me being a middle school, high school teacher, it was like, you can't wait till then. That's too late. That's too late. And then I had my daughter, Nila. And so when she was about two years old, she was asking questions and she was curious. And so I was like, okay, we have to do something. And so we started with the book, and then that just got. Between the city. Okay, we'll get the the first book was actually the activity book. Wow. So yes, right there, yes. And so this was for because since she was between two years old, so we wanted something that she can do at that age, but get her interested in science. And so it is an activity book where they're matching um information like beakers and to the picture. They're doing mazes, it's some couple of reading, comprehension, and so it's stuff for the lower levels because I was like, why wait till they get into middle school to start learning those languages? And so we started with this one. And it's definitely a picture. I was very adamant about the illustrator that she would make sure it looks just like Nyla. And I was super excited. She was in high school.

Victoria Odekomaya 2:37

Oh, wow. And now Illustrator.

SPEAKER_00 2:40

Illustrator was black female in high school. I just saw her on Instagram, didn't even know she was in high school. Wow. And now she's become a doctor. Oh my goodness. But she still illustrates for us. And so I'm super excited.

Victoria Odekomaya 2:54

Isn't that cool that she she's in STEM too? Yes. Right. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 2:59

And that's kind of what I saw her. She was drawing STEM pictures on Instagram. And this was like in 2016. So, you know, this was just starting. Right. You know, and I was like, look at these pictures, these are gorgeous. And I didn't realize she was in high school. And so I had to ask her mom. I was like, can she please do this for us and stuff? Because she couldn't enter into a contract without being. But it just shows you you don't have to be, you know, of age old and stuff. You can be young and still follow your dreams and those. And that's what I tell our students like, follow your passion, and you don't have to wait. Like, you got all this access now that we didn't have. Right. So tell us who is Nyla Nova. So Nyla Nova is based off of my daughter, Nila Danae. And so she's Nyla's like ultra-ego. It's like Beyoncé has Sasha Fierce. Yes. Nyla Nova. And Nova means star in new beginnings.

Victoria Odekomaya 3:50

Oh, I love that.

Learning Through Community Adventures

SPEAKER_00 3:51

And so we really, and Nila's name actually means champion and winner. Oh, wow. I didn't even know those together. Like you can't lose. You cannot. And so we definitely wanted others to see themselves in this character. And so it's Nyla being the science superhero that encourages and gives that confidence and inspires young ladies, especially girls of color, but all students, that they can be powerful STEM leaders. And so that's what Nyla Nova stands for, and that's who she is. That's amazing.

Victoria Odekomaya 4:24

And I know one of the things that is really important to you is also putting the fun in STEM.

SPEAKER_00 4:29

Oh man. Yes. So when I was a teacher, one of the things I used to tell my students, if I'm gonna be here for eight hours with you guys, we're gonna have fun. Yes. Like I don't want to be here bored and sad, you know. And so I was never like this 30, 40-minute lecturer. I was always like, let's start with a problem, let's figure it out, let's work together. And so I always became like their partner in learning instead of me just lecturing to them. And so I would like bring in music, we will play games, and so I just kind of incorporated those into Nylanova.

Victoria Odekomaya 4:59

And that's so cool because like I think that if we're not doing that with kids, even adults too, on social media, if you're not adding some entertainment, nobody wants to learn, right? So I love that you're making it fun and you know, practical, right? So I know we've been on several trips, you know, several um activities that we've done. And uh one of the things that really uh that's important or like that makes me love what we do so much as a board member is that like we we experiences that may not otherwise be everyday for people, we get to do and expose those kids to. Like, you know, one time we went horseback riding and also connecting it to STEM because you might think, oh, well, yeah, how does that, you know, but we connect those types of activities, right? Yes, yes. In the cave too. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 5:46

So what she's talking about is Nylanova STEM ventures. And so what we wanted to do is take learning out of the classroom. And so most of our classes are not in schools, they're in churches, the children's museum, and things of that nature. And so with the STEM ventures, we, like you say, connected with STEM, but we go out into the community. And so some of our STEM ventures have been to the caves in Kentucky, where we toured the caves, but then we also did the ropes course, which was very interesting. Right. And so adults and kids conquer some of their fears. Right. And that's something we're teaching them confidence and trying new things because we're quick to say, I can't do that. I don't, and then they did it and they were like, Oh my god, I didn't know I can do that. And I'm talking about of all ages, right? It's really amazing and fun to watch others, not just young kids, get excited about STEM.

SPEAKER_02 6:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:39

And so another trip we did was that we did the horseback riding. That was like our culminating event for the summer where all the families came out and once again conquered some of their fears, but they learned about the horses, they learned the temperaments, they learned how to um walk a trail with the horses, and they got to see the environment and nature and stuff. And so that was also wonderful. And some of the things we did during the summer was Nala Nova STEM Aquatics.

Victoria Odekomaya 7:03

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 7:04

Where we went w um white water rafting down the White River here in Indianapolis. We um did some canoeing, and then we did some boating and guys, and then we did water testing and stuff. So it's taking the learning outside of the classroom, but into our communities.

Families As STEM Partners

Victoria Odekomaya 7:20

Yeah. And the other thing that you kind of touched on a little bit is like it's not just the kids, it's the entire family. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 7:27

And I'll tell you how they got started. As a teacher, as an educator, I always wanted to bring in the parents as partners because I felt like if I'm doing these great things in class, and then they go home and they are like, the parents are like, What are you doing? And this and because you know, I'm a parent, so I know I would be like, What is what are you doing? And so I was like, Let's have a program where we're inviting parents. And one of the things we realized is a lot of parents didn't have a strong STEM background. Right. So they didn't even know what STEM was. And then they were like, Well, we never got to dissect anything. And so now we got five-year-olds dissecting cow hearts and squid and frogs and stuff, because why wait to high school? That's right. And so we have a lot of even family members that were saying, Well, I was thinking about going into nursing. I say, Well, see if you can cut the squid up because you're gonna see some stuff that's a little yuckier than the squid. And so then I'm like, this will kind of be your test instead of going out spending all this money to test to see if this could be a career choice. And so that's what we like to give them exposure to different types of careers. I love that.

Victoria Odekomaya 8:28

So, you know, a lot of people, you know, they tend to change their majors, you know, sophomore year, you know, yes, and even happened to me too. Well, I didn't change my major, but I came in wanting to be a doctor, and it it was after I graduated and I visited a hospital that I was like, oh, like, this is a little bug. Because I was just sobbing, seeing people sick. And you know, as a doctor, you're supposed to be like helping them, not crying. So I was like, this is so you're helping them starting to think early on of what that could look like, you know. And I also like that it's not just that, it's also seeing what's possible. What's possible, I think. Because I remember there was a there was an event that you invited me to to come speak, right? So as a former scientist, right? I was telling when we had a board uh meeting last week, this past weekend, and we were talking about how you know kids need to see that this is possible. Like being a scientist is not you don't have you don't need two heads, right? You know, like it's not it's just flesh and blood, right? You know, so just seeing that that is possible, you know, someone of a um of a different background or like an immigrant, a black person, like if she could do it, you know, that kind of thing. I love I love that a lot.

SPEAKER_00 9:35

Yeah, so you're talking about we did a spring break camp with girls at Ivy Tech, and then for our lunch alarm, the girls would bring their lunches, but we would bring in guest speakers, and you were one of our guest speakers, but you did amazing. Thank you. But you came in as a scientist, but you also talked about photography. Yes, and the kids were taking pictures, they were using your camera, and so that was showing them just different sides of things, and that's one of the things I tell them too. Even with me um being a science teacher, I said, this is taking me around the world.

unknown 10:04

Right.

SPEAKER_00 10:04

And so people have to dream big. Yes, and so, but sometimes if they don't see it or don't realize it's possible, even with the internet now, you know, they're still in their house, but they can see in China, but they haven't been there. Right. We're trying to get them to go there. We're trying to get them to experience those things. Yes.

Victoria Odekomaya 10:21

Because I know there's also some um STEM ventures, or I don't know if that's what we're calling it, but like the travel around the world.

SPEAKER_00 10:27

Yep, STEM ventures as well, yes. And so just um Nyla and I have taken families to London and Paris. We've been to South Korea and Hong Kong. And this last um year we went to Japan and Spain. Yeah. And so like it's expanding beyond even the United States. That's why I call myself the Global STEM Sation.

Why Early STEM Matters

Victoria Odekomaya 10:46

Yes, because I'm spreading STEM cheer on the global platform. That is amazing. So um, some people might wonder like, why STEM? Like, what is it such a big deal? What is the traditional education? You know, where does that lack in terms of why we're doing STEM? Right.

SPEAKER_00 11:02

So one of the things is, like I said, I was a middle school, high school science teacher. Science is the S in STEM, but there's so much more to it. And so a lot of the elementary schools and early learning schools, they didn't really push science because some of them are fearful of themselves. They like, I know reading, I can do some elementary math, but if I start getting to the STEM, it's they felt like it was too advanced. And I'm like, no, it's learning about the world around us. It's learning about being curious, just asking those questions and finding those answers. And so that's why it's important because if we can get kids as early as three years old learning about STEM, talking about it, embracing it, being curious about their world around them, then they may not grow up and to be engineers, but they're gonna be problem solvers, they're gonna be critical thinkers, and they're gonna ask these questions that in this 21st century we needed because there's a lot of things going on, even like in the age of AI now. We, you know, it's some things I see online, and I'm like, is that AI? Is that real? And like we need to teach our kids early on, you know, because the world is changing so fast. And that's what STEM is about. It's about learning about the past, but also about the world that's today that maybe in three years is gonna even look different, you know, even more different. So that's what it's about. And so that's why it's very important that we don't wait today in high school because that's what happened to me. I was always smart, I always got the good grades. And one of my, I was a junior in high school, and one of my assistant principals was like, well, you should go for engineering. I didn't know what an engineer was. So I applied for college. I'm going to be an engineer. And I, and you know, we didn't have the internet like that back then. So then I applied and then went to school for engineering. I was like, I love this, but I think I want to teach it. So I miss teaching kids. I didn't want to be behind a computer and stuff all the time. And so, but I didn't know. That's what someone told me go for that because I was never exposed. I don't want that to be for our kids. Like, I want them to be able to see marine biologists, zoologists, you know, paleontologists, like just all the different types, because then you never know what their curiosity will lead them to.

Victoria Odekomaya 13:09

Oh, that's so important also because like they are it seems like they're coming out even smarter at these days in class, right? You know, and if we're not giving them, putting more in good information into them, they they're curious already anyway, and they're just gonna start looking for other things to fill that space. So we need to like really be intentional about exposing them to the right stuff.

SPEAKER_00 13:29

Expose them to the right stuff, and exactly because my five-year-old granddaughter, she's six now, but she knows how to use a phone, a tablet. She sends us video messages and and emojis all day. We was like, who told her that? Like, oh my God. Yeah, yeah. And it's so cute when she sends us stuff, she types her name, Simone. But you know, we know it's her. Right. But it's like that's her practicing how to spell her name and different things. And so it's some people like, oh, they shouldn't be on technology so early. I think we should expose them, but there is a limit. Like, you know, we still want them to have those foundational skills as well.

Victoria Odekomaya 14:00

Yeah. So I know that you know, you've done such incredible work in the community and even really around the world. Do you have any stories that you can share about family or kids that is impacting, you know, like such such huge stories that you can share?

SPEAKER_00 14:14

It was it's so many, and I'm gonna try not to get emotional, but um, when we go into the schools, the different organizations, some of the problems that we're having is, and and this is a saying that I just heard and it stuck with me. Compassion without capital is unsustainable. And so we go into these schools and they may only have us on a six-week contract. At the end of the six weeks, they were like, we don't have the funding to keep you. And to watch kids cry, it breaks our heart. And then we'll see kids that we haven't seen in four years, and they're like, that's not an over. Like, you think we're rock stars. Like, if I see them in the mall, they're running up to me calling me professors, and their family, like, professor, like you went to school, you know, in college. But that's what is missing is that we want it to be sustainable because they are really impacted. Even families have stopped us and was like, how can I stay connected? What can I do? And and and it's the funding, it's the hardest part. And you know, we know we're change transforming lives and changing lives, but it's just the the capacity there. We have the equipment, we have, you know, the the love for it, but it's the capital and the funding is always a problem. But to see those kids light up and the families realize that we're transforming lives is amazing, giving them new experiences. Yeah.

Victoria Odekomaya 15:34

Like, I mean, honestly, that's why I really feel like, well, you're walking, I mean, I I've seen a horse once in my life. I've ridden a horse once a long time ago, but I was on that trip and like it's it felt like a whole new experience to me. And like I was like, wow. And my kids who go to chess, actually, they've never been on a horse. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_00 15:54

So most people haven't. You know, you talk about it. And this is what I wanted to show that it was right in Lawrence Township when we went to the White Rivers by Marion University. Like, these are things right here in their community that they don't even realize is here. We don't have to go out of the state, out of here to experience those things, and it's right up the street. And that was one of the things that we really wanted to, you know, make happen for our families and our community.

Victoria Odekomaya 16:18

Yeah. And I love that because not only are you teaching them about our STEM, you're also teaching them about the community. Yes, you know, because they're they're gonna grow up to be proud Indianas. Yes, and that's what we want. Yes, we want.

SPEAKER_00 16:30

We want to build the next talent pipeline, but you gotta get them to want to love what they're doing and love the community they're in. And so that's what we say. We're always building strong communities.

STEM Van And Kits For Access

Victoria Odekomaya 16:41

Right. So one I know you're doing a lot of things to make this accessible. Yeah. We've talked a little bit about some of the, you know, um, and I don't know if you want to talk a lot about a little bit about this, but like the van and some of the other things that you're doing to bring STEM to the community. Do you want to go into that at all? Yes.

unknown 17:00

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 17:00

Yeah. So we're trying, we're doing a mobile connect because one of the things is that we want to make STEM accessible for all. That's always been our goal. So we know some of the affluent um areas, they have some type of STEM program or their families can pay for it, an extensive STEM programming, but not all. Right. And we did not want funding or capital or something to deter or or location to not being able to be accessible. And so what we have now is what we're working on is getting a STEM van, um, a trailer that's decorated, you know, and inside is an actual lab. Yeah. And so we can pull up to the schools and the kids can come out. And instead of them going to like off-site, they're still in, they're on site, their teachers are there with them, but they're learning in a STEM lab with actual STEM professionals. We have people from IU Health, we have people from Esgenazi, we have Eli Lilly. And so those are the things that we want to expose to those communities that don't have that access. Another way that we're making it accessible is through our STEM kits. And so we have our little STEM kits. Yes. And so what we're doing is, and what's nice about this, we are manufacturing our own STEM kits in the state of Indiana. Wow. And so that's, you know, bringing jobs here. That's also keeping money inside our communities. Right. What the STEM kits allow us to do is be able to make it accessible for not just here in Indiana, but around the world and so, and in the nation. And so we've had our first campus in Arizona that's now become a licensed campus because they love what Nylanova was doing, but they were always like, well, how do we get Nylonova here? And it's, you know, it's we're building a strong army, but it we can't be everywhere. Right. But now this actually allows Nagla Nova to be everywhere because they have the books, they have the workbooks, now they have the STEM kits, and then they have the online portal. Right. And we're currently working on an app. And so we don't want um anything to stop them. We want them to be accessible, we don't want any barriers.

How To Donate Sponsor Or Volunteer

Victoria Odekomaya 19:07

That's so amazing. I love your passion. Like it's so, this is why me being a part of the board being so meaningful. It's my first board, right? And I I just love everything that you do. That's why, you know, like for anyone watching, we're gonna be putting the links to all of these resources in the description. But Nylanova, I strongly believe that they're doing such an immensely great, great work in our community to help our children be more educated and be more open and be uh more accessible, right, to STEM and in so many ways. It's not just you know, one way, you know, we're talking about workbooks, we're talking about STEM kits, activities, and all the things and making it fun too. Because any anyway, anytime we do it's always fun. So I know I know I know it's wow. Okay, so um we're talking about if you have unlimited resources, what would you do right now to change STEM?

SPEAKER_00 20:01

So one of the things is that it's always to change the perception. And so what and we try to teach math, reading, science in isolation. It's math time, it's reading time. But in true essence, we should be teaching it through a STEM lens because that's what gets kids excited. If you come in and say, hey, we're gonna dissect a a a squid or a cow's eyeball and stuff, they're gonna be like, what? But then you tell them, well, let's learn about it. Let's calculate. So uh let's do the history behind it. Let's figure out the geography. You can have that unit and have all the disciplines in that particular unit. And you're gonna get kids more engaged because we have data to show it. You're gonna give their attendance rates are gonna go up because if they know tomorrow, the next week we're doing this, you better really be like, Mom, I can't miss school. Right. They're gonna do this and they're gonna do this. And so that's one of the things that just changing the perception, but then also giving the resources because there's a lot of stuff that's out there. Like you can go to Amazon and find a STEM kit, but it doesn't come with the ecosystem that we've created. We are really supporting the parents and the educators throughout this process because sometimes this is a learning process for them as well because they wasn't exposed to this. And so we walk them step by step. And so you ask me, unlimited, well, to have Nala Nova STEM campuses throughout the nation. And then, you know, we're constantly translating our materials into Japanese, Chinese, Spanish. We have it in multiple languages. So it can truly be international because it is fun, but it's interactive, it's engaging, innovative, and it's data driven. The data shows that what we're doing is working. Right. The problem is is with the funding is not there, it can't be sustainable. And we definitely want it to be sustainable, and that's where we need the community's help. Absolutely.

Victoria Odekomaya 21:57

Now, speaking of that, right? So if someone Watching or listening is like, I want to be a part of this. I love this mission. I want to, you know, contribute.

SPEAKER_00 22:05

How can they do that? So we do have links that they can donate, whether they donate a small amount, meet amount, large amount, or they want to be a recurring donor, beloved, or they work for a company or organization that do sponsorships. Because one of the good things is like, for instance, this kit here, just say, for instance, it's a solar car.

SPEAKER_02 22:24

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 22:25

But we want to get with IMS right here in Indianapolis and say, hey, we can logo and put your logo on this car and on the packaging because we're right here, we created, and then they can donate 10,000 of these kits to the local schools. And so that's kind of what we're looking at. We call it the power of STEM, where the community gets behind it and says, we need to get these kits into every kid's hands. Right. And so we can, um, even like this one is an agricultural one. Okay. And so we're growing plants and pot seeds. Oh, wow. But it can be have your company's logo on it. Your company's logo here. It has a QR card on the back that can go to your company. So if they have an organization they can sponsor, if they're a donor, they say, I only have$5. We will take it because that has helps get that something into a kid's hands. And so we have something. Yeah.

Victoria Odekomaya 23:17

So let's, while we're talking about all the different kits, are there other ones that are maybe less kids?

SPEAKER_00 23:22

So we have the solar car, we have the agricultural one. This one is lights and lenses with magnifying glass, different ones. Oh, I like the original one. It's the so um is the plane, it's a glider. Okay. And so they can shoot a um slide the glider around, it flies, and then they also have a parachute. And they calculate when they drop the parachute how far it is from the X, then they can say, Well, what do I need to do to exchange? Oh my goodness. You know, the location, the velocity, do I need to change anything as well?

Victoria Odekomaya 23:54

So it's amazing.

SPEAKER_00 23:56

So, oh, well, we got some more here. Yeah, that's it. That's it. That's the plan. Yes. And then what's nice is the cute little Nylonovas on here. Yes. And so, like I said, we make these here, so we it's easy to put another company's logo on here, sponsored by stickers, all of that. Because we definitely want it to be a community, and we feel that's why we call it the Power STEM, because it can transform communities. Right. Um, we had one class where we were teaching coding, and one of the parents loved it so much. They signed up for a coding class, and now they're transitioning from their current job to become a coder.

Victoria Odekomaya 24:32

Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_00 24:33

And so it's not just helping kids, it's helping families, it's transforming the community. Because she's like, I would have never tried it. I didn't know I was good at coding. I didn't know I could do it. And now she had the the time and the access to doing it, and so it's transforming lives.

Victoria Odekomaya 24:49

Yeah. So when we talked about the activity book, uh, we have another one here. We might as well just talk about all the books. That is STEM Ventures.

SPEAKER_00 24:56

So this is a chapter book. So this is for our ages like two to four, I'm ages, grades, two to four, where it's actually taking them through the experiences that Nylanova solving STEM mysteries using some STEM skills. And so I was a big fan of like Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew. So it's very similar to that where they're figuring out, well, who done it or how can I do it, but it's like using a drawing. Yes, you want to cut that a tablet, it's like it's uh math skills, it's literacy built in because it has questions, comprehension questions. And so, um, and then we're bringing in new characters, so it's not just Nylanova, it has her friend Sam and her dog Coco and different ones that are solving these mysteries and stuff. So this is great. This is one of our workbooks. And so what's nice about um, if a school says, hey, we have teachers, if you just train them, we have materials for them so they can have a licensed workbook. It has all types of lessons with objectives, standards, different lessons. It comes with a student guide and a um facilitator guide as well.

Victoria Odekomaya 26:04

So that is that so you're also training the teachers too.

SPEAKER_00 26:07

Yes, we have a whole teacher training program. Um, because sometimes they say, well, we have the staff, but we just need the materials. And so we're like, we'd love to license out the materials to you guys. We'll train you to make sure, you know, and and support you throughout the journey. Right. But and that's what a lot of our after-school programs are kind of leaning towards now because funding can be an issue and they already have staff. Let's just equip them with the still materials that you know that they can use, they can that's gonna empower their students and their parents as well.

SPEAKER_02 26:38

Wow, that's so good.

SPEAKER_00 26:39

And this one I love this. This one was our this is the one that's taking us around the world. This is the this one when we started on first, but we end up finishing the activity first. Okay. This one because our illustrator had to go in and illustrate all the pages. Oh, wow. And so this was like our legacy to Nyla. So it's basically how she became her science superpowers. And so it has her family in here, that's her dad, that's her stem stational mom. Yes, who passed down her stem skills, and she goes in her mom's closet and puts on her lab coat, and then she realizes it's too big, but then all of a sudden, the lab coat fits her. She's transformed, her crown comes on, her afro. And so with this, we've been really traveling. We have a picture, Nyla and I, in front of the Eiffel Tower with this book. Because one of the things is just the show. Even someone that's thinking about writing a book, but they're like, Well, it's just what can I do with it? It is your ticket to get in. It's almost like your business card. Yeah. It is your way in. Yes. Oh my goodness. And so, since we have an ecosystem, because most systems you might have just have the books, or you might have kits, and then you might have a workbook, but not everything together. And so we have the fun, we you know, we have a music video.

Victoria Odekomaya 28:01

Yes, I was gonna say that too.

SPEAKER_00 28:03

All these wonderful things. And so we're affectionately calling ourselves the Disney of STEM.

Victoria Odekomaya 28:08

Yes, yes. I love that. I love Disney.

SPEAKER_00 28:11

Because you if you understand what STEM is, and then you think about Disney, what are some of the things that when you think about Disney, you think of the fun, yeah, all ages. Yes, and you think of the nostalgia, like you remember certain things and you're like trying to get there and stuff. Like you're like, I need that feeling. I put my Mickey Mouse ears on, I do this. That's what we want them to have that same feeling with nylon. That is amazing.

Victoria Odekomaya 28:32

So I one thing that I didn't think we touched on was the age range.

SPEAKER_00 28:36

Yes. And so it's so funny. I was like, me as a teacher, I was like, I'm doing middle school, high school. Once I got to high school, I was like, I cannot do the younger kids. And but then I was like, okay, as I'm writing the books, building the system, it makes sense to start with the younger kids. And so we start as early as three years old. Our core program is three to fourth grade. Okay. So three to about 10. Okay. We've expanded it because the demand has been there. And once our students hit fourth grade, they go into fifth grade, they were begging schools and their parents, I want some more Nylanova. And so now we actually can do K through 12.

SPEAKER_02 29:13

Oh, great.

SPEAKER_00 29:13

And so we just did a program at 16 Tech called I Can Be That.

SPEAKER_02 29:17

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 29:17

And so we went in and showed them how to do the dissection and stuff because even though they were high schoolers and I still have five-year-olds dissecting, it's a different level. It's more of an advanced level, but some of them have never done it. Right. And so now we're pretty much, like I say, our core is still the younger kids, but we are um extending the time from middle school to high school as well.

Victoria Odekomaya 29:37

This is amazing. I love the ecosystem. I, you know, like the books, you know, the music. We have to put the the music is so catchy. The song is so beautiful. Yes, yeah. And there's a video too. So we're gonna put the link to the music video to it, too. And it's just been so amazing. Thank you so much for all that you do. Your passion shines through. You know, for you, it's not, it's really the passion of help, making sure the kids have the accessibility to STEM and connecting it to everyday life and in the community. And so thank you for what you do.

SPEAKER_00 30:08

Oh, thank you. Thank you for joining the board and helping us get our mission and vision out there. So thank you.

Victoria Odekomaya 30:14

It's definitely a pleasure for me. I mean, an honor for me. I'm learning a lot, and I just, you know, if there was any organization I had to support, it was yours. Well, thank you.

SPEAKER_02 30:23

I appreciate it.

Victoria Odekomaya 30:24

So we've talked a little bit about how people can support, you know, they can actually, you know, big organizations can get their names on the STEM kits. We do donations, we receive donations as well. Um, there's gonna be a link in the description to put all of that information in there. If you want to volunteer, or because we do have some events that we go to.

SPEAKER_00 30:43

Definitely we can volunteer, packing STEM kits, passing them out, even coming to some of our programming to see it firsthand. We welcome visitors all the time.

Victoria Odekomaya 30:53

Yeah, and do you want to talk about the family? Because I know that certain time of the year, there's that family programs as well today.

SPEAKER_00 31:00

So right now, we um was very thankful that we got a grant through the Indianapolis Foundation. It's more about environmental equity. Uh-huh. And so it's allowing the community to learn more about their environment, careers in the environment. And so we have a family program right now that's free for families. It's called Nylanova STEM Attack, because we're attacking some of the eels and the things that's going on in the community and changing those and transforming it. And so we meet twice a month. Right now, we're at New Beginnings Fellowship Church on the East Side. And so families, and our first meeting was two weeks ago, and it was amazing to see 30 people show up. And not for basketball, not for football, but for education, moms and dads. And so with this program, it's um it runs for about an hour and a half. We feed them. We um talk about the different things in their community. Last year was more of the dissection and getting to know the environment. This year is about their community. So we're doing water testing. Actually, tonight, they're doing like the different types of waters, learning about water sources in their community, and then we're talking about food sources because we talked about healthy choices of eating last year, but now it's like where can I find these things? And so we're mapping out do they live in a food desert? How can they access? Like, is it just nothing but fast food around you? Or can you go to a market and get something fresh? Right, you know where a market is located. So those are some of the things, and then we're talking about the careers and stuff and things around. That's amazing.

Victoria Odekomaya 32:32

So there's a ton of programs, you know, for families, for kids free, and then we have some opportunities to help make this vision come to life. So anywhere you can help support, I would really appreciate that. We're gonna put a link below, whether that be buying the kids for your kids, because we can sell the kids individually as well.

SPEAKER_00 32:50

They sell individually, you can they they make great gifts by someone at your church, someone around, yes.

Victoria Odekomaya 32:57

Right, or if you want to sponsor a whole bunch, we'd love that too. It's just, you know, seeing the impact behind your mission. Like, you know, if your mission is to help impact the generation and like our community, this is a great way to do that, making sure that kids are exposed to STEM. So please, we also have so much too, you know.

SPEAKER_00 33:15

So we have merch, you know. I'm a taking over.

Victoria Odekomaya 33:21

Taking over, yeah. Um, so yeah, is there anything else you'd like to leave us with?

SPEAKER_00 33:27

It's so much. I just um as you say, the passion is there, the love for our community, and I'll just tell anyone that if you mix your passion with your purpose, you can't lose. And so that's I feel like I win every day when I get up to make a difference in someone else's life. And so I'm super excited about that. I just, you know, just send some encouraging words and stuff, because sometimes this mission can get a little tough, but I know it's bigger than me. And I always said I want to live in legacy, and especially for Nyland. So I'm just thankful that I'm able to share my story.

Victoria Odekomaya 34:02

Well, thank you so much for everything that you do. I love you so much, my friend.

SPEAKER_02 34:08

I love you.

Victoria Odekomaya 34:09

Love you so much. I know that you always encourage me. You're one I can call anytime, like, oh lifewise. I'll be like, I don't know about this, you know. Right. Yeah. So I am so thankful for you, grateful for your friendship. And yeah, um for anyone listening one more time, I'm gonna say it again because I'm that passionate about it. Please check out the links. We're gonna put the links to all the you know, all the goodies here, donation into the description. And please support Nylanova, even if it's just shouting out high in on social media, that goes a long way. You know, I know we have such a strong um social media presence, sometimes just sharing, resharing, commenting that helps a lot because then that just helps more people know about Nylanova too. So, thank you again for joining us today. This wraps up this special edition for the podcaston. If you love this episode, you can find other charities doing the same thing from the month of March 14th through 20th at www.podcaston.org. And so thank you again for joining us, and we'll see you in the next episode.