Aspire United Education

Last week, we took a break from coding to have a math problem-solving session! Mentees and mentors worked together to solve challenging math problems as we examined the problem-solving process and the parallels between math and computer science. This amazing opportunity was in collaboration with Sahiba Kaur as part of her "Math Rocks" initiative with the Chief Science Officers Program, who provided the problems and guided us through them. Interested in guest-speaking and doing similar collaborations to advance equitable STEM education? Reach out &/or DM us to let us know! #stem #stemeducation #collab #aspireunitededucation

Sometimes, we question why we do what we do. I've found myself questioning why I started Aspire United Education, and today brought back to me my why. As I sat with my mentee, guiding her through a Scratch project, I witnessed a moment that reaffirmed the purpose of our organization. Her face suddenly lit up with excitement as she eagerly asked to show me what she had been working on and the goals she had to keep going. This simple gesture spoke volumes about the trust we've been building – a cornerstone of our mentorship program. Trust doesn't come easily, especially when working with students from underprivileged communities. It's a delicate process that requires patience, consistency, and genuine care. Seeing that trust grow slowly but surely takes me back to those late nights spent filling out tax forms and sending countless emails – tasks that often felt pointless at the time. But moments like these remind me why Aspire United Education exists. We founded this organization with a clear mission: to empower youth from underserved communities through STEM education. Every small victory, every spark of curiosity, and every bond formed between mentor and mentee validates the countless hours of behind-the-scenes work. These experiences remind us that our efforts are making a real difference. We're not just teaching coding; we're opening doors to new possibilities, fostering confidence, and showing these bright young minds that they have a place in the world of technology. To my fellow educators, mentors, and those working tirelessly in non-profits: on days when you question your impact, remember that change often happens in small, quiet moments. The late nights, the administrative tasks, and the challenges we face are all part of a greater purpose – to shape futures and empower the next generation. Let's continue to inspire, educate, and uplift. Because every lightbulb moment, every smile of achievement, reminds us why we started this journey in the first place. - Chikanma Okoisor #AspiringMinds #STEMEducation #MentorshipMatters #NonprofitImpact

We're pleased to present our team of mentors for our coding mentorship project! This team of skilled young students is mentoring children at Heritage Orphanage in Lagos, Nigeria to teach them how to code (and hopefully set them on their own journey of STEM exploration). Interested in joining our team? Fill out this form: https://lnkd.in/gbSjuj69 Connect on LinkedIn and look into Aspire United Education on LinkedIn and Instagram for more information on our mission and how to support us. #aspireunitededucation #stem #stemeducation #pvsa #volunteer #mentoring

We're looking for more mentors to join our team! Right now, Aspire United Education is mentoring orphans at Heritage Orphanage in Lagos, Nigeria to teach them how to code. Our overarching goal is to spread STEM education to marginalized communities. This opportunity is a great way to spread your love for STEM and make an impact as a high school or college student. Ready to join our PVSA-certifying organization? Fill out this form to get started: https://lnkd.in/gbSjuj69 #mentoring #STEM #jobopportunity #highschool #college

We've got an announcement: Aspire United Education has become a Certifying Organization for the President's Volunteer Service Award! We appreciate the recognition of the positive impact we strive to make, and the inspiration we hope to share with others to spread STEM education and make the world better for everyone. We're excited by the possibility of this award, but also by the power we have to make positive change, starting with our STEM mentorship at Heritage Orphanage in Lagos, Nigeria. This recognition is certainly something to celebrate and work towards, but even more so is the hope of a future with equity in STEM education and opportunities.

Eat Panda Express to make a difference on August 29th! Check out our virtual community fundraiser!

Last Saturday, we launched our first ever STEM summer program at Awuse Estate, designed to empower kids, youth, and adults with essential coding skills. The kickoff event was a resounding success, marking the beginning of an exciting journey into the world of programming! Chikanma Okoisor introduced participants to the fundamentals of Scratch, a user-friendly visual programming language perfect for beginners. Thank you to Oluwafeyisayo Adebayo, Opeyemi Okoisor, and Dr. Nduka Okoisor for helping the first event progress smoothly. The remainder of the program would be running virtually, with participants being able to use the computers in the onsite location! We're beyond excited to continue this transformative journey over this summer, equipping our community with the digital literacy tools needed to thrive in the 21st century. Stay tuned for more updates as we inspire the next generation of innovators and tech leaders!

Looking for volunteer hours while changing the life of a teen in STEM? Aspire United Education is short of 4 mentors for our program at Heritage Orphanage! Commitment is 1 - 2 hours one day a week! Please fill out this short interest form, and we will get back to you! https://lnkd.in/gQafQs5Z

Today, we held the kickoff for the Aspire United Education project at Heritage Orphanage in Lagos with help from one of our mentors Oluwafeyisayo Adebayo assisted me in facilitating the event. It was amazing to meet the children and give them the computers donated by Midland Public Schools. The Heritage Orphanage(https://lnkd.in/gVydQbZn) has rescued and housed over 200 orphaned and vulnerable children, many of whom have been reintegrated into society through adoption or reconciliation with their biological families. The children were thrilled to receive the new computers and eager to learn how to use them. As part of the AUE project, we will provide educational resources, technology support, and one on one mentorship to help these children gain valuable digital skills and access new learning opportunities, which aligns with the orphanage's mission to "save the lives of orphaned and abandoned children" and support their integration into society. We are grateful to have had the chance to kickstart this initiative in person and see the positive impact it could have on the lives of these deserving children.

Applications are extended to June 10th! Sign up to be a mentor and change a childs life through STEM. https://lnkd.in/eaqumNTT