CEO and educational consultant Kaya Mason is helping prepare students for careers as scientists and engineers. I recently spoke with Mason about S.T.E.M. Studio Learning Center, which is located in Norcross, Georgia.
Tell me about your business.
S.T.E.M. Studio Learning Center offers quality and innovative STEM education to benefit kids ages 5 to 17 years old. We utilize the Engineering Design Model as a foundation to solve real-world, project-based issues our communities face today. Students are encouraged to team with other students in the courses to investigate, plan, design, create and evaluate prototypes in STEM challenges.
STEM education is our foundation and focus in our menu of services. We have just expanded the menu to offer:
- STEM Programs
- After School
- Homeschool
- STEM Events
- STEM Workshop
- STEM Saturday
- STEM Camp
- Drone League
- Parent U
- Educator/Administrator Training
- Educational Consulting
- STEM Certification
- STEM Team
- College Internships/Scholarships
- Tutoring/Test Prep Programs
- Math/Reading/ESOL/PSAT-SAT-ACT/Homework Help
- Curriculum Writing
Why did you decide to start it?
STEM Studio was birth from several prototypes. As a scientific educator, I’ve had an opportunity to R & D ideals that will propel our community as individuals and as one to know our options and be aggressive about grabbing the gifts—to know is knowledge. Knowledge and money together are powerful. My story: as a kid, my options were limited and directed, ultimately, landing me in education. My goal is find the options, broadcast the options, provide resources to the options and sit back and observe the community, generation-by-generation, rise up.
What can parents expect when they send their child to you?
STEM is an acronym (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics –Art STEAM) for integrating four to five (content) subject areas in education. This integrating methodology changes the student’s mindset thus preparing students for careers as scientists and most importantly engineers. At that point we become producers and not just consumers…a rise up! As an educator in public schools, initiatives come and go quicker than the results from R & D return. STEM is not an Initiative. STEM is a movement.
I have seen the impact in just a few short months, honestly. STEM Studio students have been exposed to real-world issues, which have caused them to make their own decisions relating to short-term goals let alone long-term goals. Ex: sport injuries challenge. The STEM skills award any individual with the power and know-how to make decisions, solve problems, work together, be conscious of the environment and our actions toward the environment. Life skills are STEM skills.
What makes STEM Studio Learning Center different from other learning centers?
STEM Studio Learning Center is different from other learning centers in which we focus on growing the whole child using the STEM approach to prepare children for a lifestyle of healthy learning. Our STEM scholars and their families join STEM Studio committed to invest in their futures.
What’s the best business advice you have ever gotten?
I was given this message by several successful people within the past three years: Find a mentor. Get a mentor. Become a mentor.
What advice do you have for others interested in starting a business?
Plan thoroughly. Save and gather funds. Create a board of advisors. Keep working.
“Without commitment, you will never start, but without consistency you will never finish.”
“Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship.” —Denzel Washington
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
I have learned that my strength is immeasurable!
What’s next for Kaya Mason and STEM Studio?
In the fall of 2017, STEM Studio will begin our STEM program in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa! We have partnered with Africa Integrative Medicine to pilot a STEM program at Sunshield Pre/Primary School and Orphanage. Our STEM program will operate in the format of a weeklong intensive camp based upon themes that are directly related to their region of study.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
First and foremost, for Adults: It is never too late to learn something new. Adult learners can simply change careers with just the correct certification and willingness to learn. Survival of the fittest. Adaptation. Subscribe to newsletters and magazines, join associations that will all keepa learners abreast of updated information in the field of interest. Find STEM in everything. Utilize it to your advantage. Create a support system. Go! Grow! Go!
Want to add STEM to your existing business?
Think along the lines of technology—apps.
Volunteer/donate in/to STEM-related environments
Accept interns: Millennial generation have the answers, energy, know-how. Know what questions to ask and what to offer them.
Connect with S.T.E.M. Studio Learning Center:
6409 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Suite 900
Norcross, GA 30071
404-934-0255
Website: www.STEMStudioFX.com
Email: STEMStudioFX@gmail.com
Social Media (InstaGram/Facebook/Twitter): #STEMStudioFX
