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LINGO coding kits are designed to teach youth aged 13+ about the fundamentals of hardware and software design. Learn engineering and coding principles by building an autonomous vehicle sensor. Students can work at their own pace while learning basic coding and engineering concepts in a clear, fun, and engaging way. 

1) When was the first time you used a computer?&nbsp;&nbsp;It wasn't until I was in high school, when I immigrated to California, that I got the chance to use a computer.&nbsp;2) How did you decide you wanted to be in STEM?&nbsp;I grew up in Mexico, reading about the space shuttle missions and I knew then I wanted to study aerospace engineering.&nbsp;I&nbsp;wasn't sure exactly what role I wanted, but I dreamed of being a scientist.&nbsp;3) Who is your hero and why?&nbsp;This new generation of students, because this year they have and continue to encounter difficult events in their life like COVID-19, political chaos, and career uncertainty every single day. Even through these most difficult times, they continue to thrive, show up and remain committed to what they believe in.&nbsp;4) What advice were you given that you live by?&nbsp;Do not let the circumstances define your life, only you define your destiny.&nbsp;5) How did you land at NASA?&nbsp;After I graduated from San Jose State University with my BS in aerospace engineering, I began my career as an intern with NASA working with the Center's chief of technology. I've been there ever since.&nbsp;&nbsp;6) What do you do for NASA today?&nbsp;&nbsp;I am currently a senior NASA aerospace engineer and support the Small Satellite Technology Program at The Space Technology Mission Directorate, where I manage the Tipping Points program and other small satellites.7) What is your favorite quote?&nbsp;"Today we can see Neal Armstrong’s footprints on the moon, and my question for you is the following: what is the impact of your footprints on the road?" - Roger Hunter&nbsp;8)Who do you follow on Social Media?&nbsp;All the NASA sites&nbsp;9) If you could have any superhero power-what would it be?The ability to clone myself!&nbsp;I feel like I never have enough time for all my work. I'd also love to have the time to learn more subjects.&nbsp;10) What brings you joy?&nbsp;&nbsp;I've been a mentor for several years to students from all backgrounds.&nbsp;Seeing young people of color, especially this new generation of LatinX women thrive in STEM is one of my greatest joys. Knowing I've played some small part in introducing them to STEM makes it all worth it.&nbsp;&nbsp;11) What is the one piece of technology you cannot live without?&nbsp;My&nbsp;laptop&nbsp;12) iPhone or Android?&nbsp;iPhone 13) Technology is:_____&nbsp;The opportunity to learn something new.

NASA INSPO: ALI GUARNEROS LUNA

NASA ROCKET SCIENTIST: ALI GUARNEROS LUNA

1) When was the first time you touched a computer?There is a picture of me as a baby moving a mouse on a computer. I can't remember a time when computers have NOT been a part of my life, but I also was not one of those kids you hear about taking them apart.&nbsp;2) Who is your hero and why?I have two – My Grandmother and my Mother.&nbsp;They are truly foundational to the woman that I am today. I am forever inspired and thankful.&nbsp;3) What is your mantra?I have two mantras that I think go hand in hand – (1) If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are? – T.S. Eliot and (2) She believed she could, so she did.&nbsp;4) You are the co-creator of LINGO coding kit. Why did you want to create a technology product?I got my first taste of passing on the joy of teaching technology when I was a camp instructor for the nonprofit&nbsp;Black Girls Code. Over two weeks, I was one of two black women to introduce 24 young black girls to coding. Visibly watching those girls shed their insecurities around STEM made my heart swell. They got to see that there was a space for every part of them in tech and that there was no shame in making mistakes. Beyond teaching them the foundations of coding, I was able to encourage them to view their differences as an asset, embrace vulnerability, and disregard external validation in their calculus for belonging – all things we try to instill in students with LINGO.&nbsp;LINGO gives me the opportunity to teach students the way I wish I was taught and that’s why I love it!&nbsp;5)&nbsp;Can you give us an example of a challenge you've had to overcome in tech?&nbsp;“Are you sure this major is for you? Because you clearly aren’t getting this.” I stared at my teacher blankly. At that moment, his stray ember of a statement diminished my confidence and created a crippling imposter syndrome.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I have been used to being the "only one" and when I arrived at Cornell to pursue my degree in engineering, I was once again the only underrepresented minority woman in the entire department, but for the first time, I felt like I did not belong.&nbsp;One of the key steps to me realizing my innate strengths was re-establishing my comfort with vulnerability. I had to stop fearing challengers like my professor, and truly believe that weaknesses were not flaws. I discovered that exposing your weaknesses opened you to a community of others on the same journey of overcoming them. I found my sense of belonging once I was empowered with the intrinsic confidence to be imperfect and authentic. In hindsight, I am grateful for that professor because he forced me to build my sense of belonging through self-discovery and ignited my passion for passing on the lessons I learned.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6) As one of a few black women in technology, what is a misnomer that you'd like to correct about STEM?My Instagram name is @geeky.and.glam because I want people to know that they can do and be both.&nbsp;There are so many times that women are inundated with messaging saying that parts of them are not welcome in STEM and that’s something I would like to dismantle.&nbsp;&nbsp;7)&nbsp;What would be your elevator pitch to get more people of color involved in STEM?The future is in tech-our voices need to be a part of the revolution of this country and world.&nbsp;&nbsp;8) Your favorite quote and by whom?"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."&nbsp;– Maya Angelou&nbsp;9) You are currently getting your MBA-where do you see yourself in 5 years?I am currently pursuing an MBA from Harvard Business School to develop me into the dynamic transformational leader that is needed to shape the national security of our future.&nbsp;&nbsp;More than ever, the private tech sector and the public sector are diverging, and few are equipped to bring them together. I recognize that the scale of this task is monumental as it is a fiscal, security, congressional, and organizational lift and I want to be a part of it.&nbsp;&nbsp;10) If you could have any superhero power-what would it be?&nbsp;I would love to be able to look at a person and know what things in life they need and magically be given the tools to fill that gap. As an additional layer, I would like this to be a secret superpower so it could happen before my eyes, but they would think it was just the world looking out for them.&nbsp;11) What is the one piece of technology you cannot live without?It is wild how my iPhone is truly an extension of myself.&nbsp;I feel naked without it because everything that I need to do during the day could feasibly be done on the device.&nbsp;If I had to think of one piece of software/service though, I would choose Google.&nbsp;Google has saved me on so many occasions both academically and personally.&nbsp;12) Technology is:&nbsp;Magic!

ENGINEER BADDIE: DANIELLE REGIS

In high school, LINGO Founder Aisha Bowe’s guidance counselor told her that she should be a cosmetologist!If she had listened, she wouldn’t have pursued a successful career in aerospace engineering and space systems engineering. After six years at NASA - Aisha shifted her focus to inspire the next generation. Aisha went on The Tamron Hall Show to talk about founding STEMBoard and creating the LINGO STEM Coding Kit during the pandemic. Watch the segment below!

In high school, LINGO Founder Aisha Bowe’s guidance counselor told her that she should be a cosmetologist. If she had listened, she wouldn’t have pursued a successful career in aerospace engineering and space systems engineering. After six years at NASA - Aisha shifted her focus to inspire the next generation. 

$599.99