Team Genius Squad, a toy brand founded by 11-year-old entrepreneur and author Ava N. Simmons, specializes in crafting American-made S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) toys. The company is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of its Alternative Energy Experiment Kit series in Whole Foods Market stores, providing interactive S.T.E.M. learning opportunities for young minds.
With a mission centered on community and education, Team Genius Squad utilizes its profits to support S.T.E.M. activities for local children and the academic journey of Ava N. Simmons, diagnosed with Dyslexia in 2021. Through this collaboration, the brand aims to reach and influence more families nationwide, encouraging children to explore the joy of S.T.E.M. while emphasizing its positive impact on math, literacy, and critical thinking.
As the creator of Team Genius Squad, Ava N. Simmons, also known as “Ava the S.T.E.M. Princess®” and “Ava the S.T.E.M. Ambassador™,” embraces her learning differences as a unique superpower. With three books, 20 S.T.E.M. toys, and a role as a community S.T.E.M. Ambassador, she is recognized as a youth entrepreneurial genius.
Ava expresses excitement about seeing her S.T.E.M. toys on Whole Foods Market shelves, sharing her journey of using S.T.E.M. to build confidence and overcome learning challenges. She encourages children to believe in themselves, focus on their strengths, and not let challenges define their success.
Whole Foods Market Executive Leader Casey Gaston expresses enthusiasm for the collaboration, sharing Ava’s commitment to offering enriching products that inspire learning, curiosity, and exploration.
Team Genius Squad’s S.T.E.M. toys cater to all learning styles, showcasing the simplicity and significant impact of S.T.E.M. The Alternative Energy series demonstrates the ease of generating electricity from sustainable resources like fruits, wind, or the sun.
Ava’s grandmother, Mary Lee Foy, expresses pride in Ava’s positive impact on the world, noting how Ava’s S.T.E.M. journey began at seven years old. Ava’s parents, Terrence and Tita Simmons, also commend her for using her learning journey to inspire others.
Throughout the year, Ava travels with her “Squad,” conducting experiments at schools and community events. Team Genius Squad collaborates with organizations like PBS Kids Channel Rootle NC, The Boys and Girls Club of Durham and Orange Counties, The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina, and Marbles Museum in Raleigh, North Carolina, to deliver purposeful play curriculum.
To witness Team Genius Squad in action or learn more about their mission, visit TeamGeniusSquad.com.
Connect with them on social media: Instagram @AvaTheSTEMPrincess, Facebook @AvaTheSTEMPrincess, and LinkedIn @AvaTheSTEMPrincess.
