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11-year-old girl from Triangle featured on The Drew Barrymore Show

An 11-year-old entrepreneur from the Triangle was featured Wednesday on The Drew Barrymore Show.
Posted 2024-02-21T11:44:45+00:00 - Updated 2024-02-21T19:12:44+00:00
Stem Princess: 11-year-old NC girl featured on Drew Barrymore Show

An 11-year-old entrepreneur from the Triangle was featured Wednesday on The Drew Barrymore Show.

Proud mother Tita Simmons said her daughter, Ava, will perform a S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) experiment during the second half of The Drew Barrymore Show, which airs on FOX 50 at 11 a.m.

Ava, known as the "S.T.E.M. Princess," and her sister, Chynah, created their own brand, Team Genius Squad, with a mission to "promote S.T.E.M. awareness" and "encourage individuals to believe in themselves to identify their uniqueness and pursue their goals," according to their website.

In addition to designing and selling S.T.E.M. inspired accessories and toys -- including lip gloss, science experiment kits and bracelets -- Ava and Chynah create S.T.E.M. videos to inspire kids of all ages.

Blackenterprise.com reports Ava and Chynah have sold toys from their brand at Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh, including coloring books, DIY slime and experiment kits.

On Wednesday on The Drew Barrymore Show, the young scientist will share her story and conduct her signature acid-base experiment, according to her mother.

Ava attended Spring Valley Elementary in Durham. She writes a dyslexia diagnosis and difficulty reading inspired her to challenge herself and start Team Genius Squad with her family's help.

"Ava’s love for this S.T.E.M. experiment changed the narrative and trajectory of her life and possibly the lives of many other children that she has conducted it with," Simmons wrote on Facebook. "Her dreams were transformed into reality which is such a great testament to what you can do with determination, support and some baking soda!"

The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays at 3 a.m. (WRAL) and 11 a.m. (FOX 50).

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