President Obama hosted the 3rd Annual White House Science Fair, highlighting the student winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions from across the country, on Monday, April 22. The science fair featured 100 students from over 40 states and represented 45 different competitions and organizations that recognize the next generation of innovators. The students’ projects ranged from temperature-regulated pads for football players, which will maintain safe body temperatures on the field, to economically-viable algae biofuel, among other impressive ventures.
As the president said in his 2009 “Education to Innovate†address: “If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House. Well, if you’re a young person and you produce the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too.â€
There were several African-American students who participated in the 2013 Science Fair; BlackEnterprise.com recognizes these young, black phenoms:
Shaquiesha Davis
Age: 16
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
School: Chicago Tech Academy
Favorite subject: Biology
Fun Fact: Davis has been coding since the age of 14. She can code in HTML, JavaScript, CSS, C# (pronounced see sharp), among other languages.
Babysitting is one of the most popular ways for teens to earn their own money. While the after-school and weekend gig helps fund random shopping excursions, movie dates and, most importantly, college tuition, it inspired one teen to create a mobile app that would simplify the babysitting experience for both parents and caregivers.
Chicago Tech Academy junior Shaquiesha Davis created Baby B 4 Me, a mobile application that allows for parents to communicate with their childcare provider in real time–and eases their mind at the same time. Inspired by her own experience as a babysitter, Davis’ app earned her second place at Chicago’s city-wide Future Founders Competition. The 16-year-old entrepreneur presented her business plan, which she drafted in her entrepreneurship class, at the latest White House Science Fair. BlackEnterprise.com spoke with Davis about what it was like participating in the annual science fair, her passion for STEM and where she sees herself in the next five years.
BlackEnterprise.com: How was your experience participating in the White House Science Fair?
Davis: It was an exciting experience! First of all, I am honored to have been one of two students from Chicago to have been chosen to represent the city at the White House. When the executive director of my school called me, I just could not believe it! And, then at the White House, I was inspired by all the ideas and projects other students came up with. I also enjoyed meeting people like Valerie Jerrett and Bill Nye, The Science Guy.
How does Baby B 4 Me work?
Baby B4 Me is a mobile application that connects parents and care providers outside of each other’s presence through a real chart update, a support net list, video, and text. For example, as a care provider myself, if the parent and I each have the app, I could check in while they are away and see that they would like the child to be fed at 6:00pm and put to bed at 8:00pm. When I had completed those tasks, I would check off the list. The parent would see in real-time that their child is on their routine, providing comfort to the parent while they are away.
Is your app currently available in the App Store, Google Play, or another marketplace? What’s the app’s price point?
No, Baby B 4 Me is not on any marketplace yet. Hopefully, by the end of the year, Baby B4 Me will be in the Apple store, and would have a download cost of $9.95. This cost would only be charged to the care provider. When the care provider pays for the app, they will receive a purchasing code to give their care provider. The care provider would log-in with the code and download the app at no additional charge.
Have you always been passionate about STEM, or is it something you kind of fell into? If so, what’s your earliest memory of getting involved in STEM?
STEM is something that I grew into. My school, Chicago Tech, is a technology school so we have been learning software development and coding since day one. I
remember the first time I really got interested in STEM; it was during a summer STEM program at University of Illinois-Chicago. It was really fun and hands on–I think the hands on part is what really got me interested.Why is it so important for young people to get involved in STEM?
It is very important for students to get involved in STEM because all of the jobs are developing a foundation in these particular areas. And STEM, to me, is the core of everything.
What’s next for you?
I am working on getting Baby B 4 Me into the App Store and patented.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself graduating with a master’s in nursing and a minor in computer programming.
Check BlackEnterprise.com/Technology for more features on teens in tech.