Rep. Carter Announces STEM NOLA Fellows Selected as National STEM Challenge Champions
NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-L.A.) announced that STEM NOLA Fellows Naya Ellis and Jayden Marion Hall have been selected as Champions of the National STEM Challenge. Naya is a 9th grader at John F. Kennedy High School and Jayden is a 12th grader at Brother Martin High School.
“Naya and Jayden’s groundbreaking projects address pressing societal needs and demonstrate the transformative impact of STEM education in fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” said Rep. Carter. “Their attendance at the upcoming National STEM Festival promises to inspire countless other Louisiana students to pursue their passions in the STEM field. Congratulations Naya and Jayden, I am so proud of you!”
“I am thrilled to witness the incredible achievements of our STEM NOLA Fellows, Naya Ellis and Jayden Hall, as they emerge as Champions in the National STEM Challenge,” said Dr. Calvin Mackie, Founder/CEO of STEM NOLA. “Their innovative projects exemplify the transformative power of STEM education. These young minds not only showcase exceptional creativity but also embody the spirit of problem-solving that is crucial for the future. I look forward to witnessing the impact of their groundbreaking projects at the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C.”
Background
In a nationwide push to find the next generation of innovators, the National STEM Challenge invited students in grades 6-12 from across the United States and its territories to conceive and submit STEM innovations, inventions, and research across six categories: Environmental Stewardship, Future Food, Health and Medicine, Powering the Planet, Space Innovation, and Tech for Good.
2,549 student entries from across 50 states and U.S. territories were submitted. Ultimately 126 stand-out students were selected as National STEM Champions and will have the opportunity to showcase their projects at the National STEM Festival. All student Champions, along with a caregiver, will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to facilitate their attendance. Additionally, all champions will receive free access to EXPLR’s educational streaming video and curriculum for a teacher of their choice.
STEM Fellows is a STEM NOLA initiative that aims to inspire children in grades 9-12 to develop a curated interest in the STEM field by participating in activities and courses to meet their educational, networking, and professional needs. Fellows engage in immersive experiences through eight-month long mini-courses, designed to address real-world challenges in different STEM fields. Currently, there are over 200 STEM Fellows actively engaged in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
The first-ever National STEM Festival will take place April 11-13, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Produced in partnership between EXPLR and the United States Department of Education, the National STEM Festival will showcase the work of top-scoring student STEM Champions from EXPLR’s National STEM Challenge, as well as top-scoring projects from national competitions.
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