Introducing Naya Ellis, a 14-year-old African American resident of New Orleans who has devised WingItt, an ingenious wristwatch engineered to detect early indicators of strokes. Motivated by the health challenges her family faced, Naya’s creation has garnered attention for its potential life-saving capabilities.
Naya, currently in her freshman year at John F. Kennedy High School in New Orleans, embarked on her innovation journey through participation in the STEM NOLA Fellows Program. This initiative empowers youth to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Over approximately eight months of involvement, Naya discovered her passion during one of the program’s Saturday sessions. Reflecting on her mother’s battle with breast cancer and her grandmother’s struggles with strokes, Naya conceived WingItt as a means to identify stroke symptoms early on.
Employing cutting-edge technology, WingItt interprets nerve impulses and heart rhythms, serving as an early detection system for strokes. Naya aspires to make this innovation affordable for elderly individuals who may lack access to costly health monitoring devices.
Naya’s diligence was rewarded when she earned recognition as one of the standout participants in the National STEM Challenge. Presently, she is preparing to exhibit her invention in Washington, DC.
As Naya commences her high school journey, she is not only envisioning further inventions but also aiming to excel in softball and pursue her aspiration of becoming an obstetrician-gynecologist, thereby inspiring other youngsters in her community about the possibilities offered by STEM education.
For additional information about Naya, her invention, or the STEM NOLA program, please visit STEMNOLA.com. Follow the program’s Instagram account @STEMNOLA for updates.
