Business
Business Spotlight: STEMulate the World
Nia Scott is a 16 year-old Central Texas high school student with a love for robotics and helping others. Her passions led her to create STEMulate the World, a non-profit organization that aims to introduce robotics— and new opportunities— to children around the world.
Nia Scott has had a knack for technology for as long as she can remember. When other kids were playing with toys, Nia was taking them apart and crafting inventions of her own.
“I would take everything apart, and I would make my own laptop out of the parts,” Nia explained. And while those early experiments didn’t always end in success – “The laptop didn’t work,” Nia adds with a laugh – it sparked her love of programming and robotics.
So when she was just seven years old, Nia’s mother signed her up for a robotics summer camp at Allen R. Baca Center in Round Rock. There, she created her first robot, and the experience ignited a passion for all things robotics.
“I programmed it myself, and once it started moving forward because I told it to move forward, I fell in love with that critical thinking aspect,” Nia said. “Putting something together that in my own head.”
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Now, nearly a decade later, Nia’s love for robotics still shines bright. She attends a technology-focused high school and is a member of The Lady Cans— an award-winning, all-female competitive robotics team based in Austin.
But robotics isn’t Nia’s only passion. She is also driven by helping others.
“I’ve always really liked helping people. I love seeing people smile, and I love seeing people doing what they love,” she said.
When Nia was given thirteen used robotics kits, she took the opportunity to combine these two passions into something greater: STEMulate the World.
A family friend involved with the non-profit organization Moja Tu helped Nia see the importance of education and technology in developing countries like Kenya. Nia realized that she was able to fall in love with robotics as a child because she was exposed to it.
“Many kids [in Kenya] want to be teachers— and that is great. Or they want to be truck drivers— and that is also great. There’s nothing wrong with that, but the reason why they want to do that is because that’s all they see,” Nia explained. “I really want kids to have the same opportunity as me, and maybe fall in love with this passion. Because I didn’t fall in love with the passion until I saw it.”
Nia got to work coming up with a plan for the organization and a curriculum that children could use to learn the basics of robotics. Through STEMulate the World, she was able to raise enough money to travel to Kenya this past July and share her knowledge.
The experience opened her eyes to the impact that STEMulate the World can have on a single community. The children she worked with were eager to learn every step of the process— from drawing and designing the robots to troubleshooting problems during competitions.
But she also realized that the reach of STEMulate the World extends far beyond robotics. It creates new opportunities for growth— not just in the realm of science and technology, but in other life skills as well.
“It isn’t just robots,” Nia explained to us. “You’re learning a lot more when you’re moving through the process.”
Through her own journey, Nia has honed her own skills in public speaking, communication, teamwork, and creativity. She recognizes the impact it’s made in her life and hopes to impart the same lessons to other kids— even if they ultimately don’t pursue a STEM career.
“I don’t want everyone to say, ‘I want to be an engineer after this,’ because— I’m going to be honest— that might not be for you,” Nia said. “The entire goal is to just open a child’s mind.”
Nia’s trip to Kenya in July was just the beginning. Nia shared the plans she has for the organization moving forward, including partnering with other organizations and schools in underserved and underdeveloped communities to supply robotics kits.
And, in addition to fulfilling the mission of STEMulate the World, Nia is also learning how to run a non-profit organization— including the financial aspects.
Amplify was introduced to Nia and STEMulate the World when she worked with Senior Personal Banker Austin Hazelwood to open a bank account for the non-profit and make their first deposit.
When working with Austin, Nia recognized a familiar quality— loving what you do.
“He was really genuine, and I saw that he actually cared,” she said. Hazelwood also admitted that Nia was the youngest person he had ever signed up for a business account, a fact that inspired her to “keep going” in her mission.
And of course, Amplify is proud to support Nia Scott and the future of STEMulate the World.
“We are thrilled to be a small part of Nia’s journey with STEMulate the World,” Austin said. “Her passion and dedication to empowering young people through robotics is truly inspiring, and we are so excited to support the cause.”
For more information or to donate to STEMulate the World, visit www.stemulatetheworld.org.
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