Temple Lester is an Atlanta-based STEM prodigy. 14-year-old Temple is devoted to introducing those who lack representation to the STEM field. She was all too familiar with being one of the only minorities and women in STEM, now her mission is to change that. Not only did she create STEM Girl Swag and STEM Swag Box, both ways to get the youth engaged, but she has successfully exposed more than 100,000 youth through science workshops and social media. Temple takes action! Temple also interacts with seasoned masters of the STEM field such as Dr. Siam Proctor, the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft. She wishes to pass on that knowledge to the youth through fun and engaging activities curated by no other than Temple. The excellence does not stop there! Temple was nominated for the 2nd annual “Kid of The Year” Nickelodeon Awards. As an entrepreneur and leader Temple is sure to make a change! If you would like to know how, please continue reading this interview starring Temple Lester!

Where are you based?
I live in Atlanta, Georgia

When were you first introduced to STEM? What do you love about it?
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact time I was introduced to STEM. I just remember always being curious about everything. When I was about seven or eight, I convinced my dad to turn his “man cave” into my science lab. The thing that I loved most about STEM is that it allows me to solve, investigate and come up with solutions.

When was STEM Girl Swag created, and what is your mission? What is in your acclaimed Swag Box?
I created my website first in 2016 when I was nine years old to encourage my peers to take an interest in STEM by doing these cool DIY/ science videos. This idea came from my time at a science summer camp where I was the only girl and one of few minorities. The camp counselors kept calling me their little “princess”. STEM Girl Swag came a few years later, to show people how cool “science lovers” and “nerds” can be. I can be smart and dope at the same time. My mission is to increase inclusion in STEM while making it fun and available to all. My STEM Swag Box is the coolest science kit ever! It is exploding with seven different hands-on experiments. I wanted to create something that could make STEM-education fun.

What is your goal regarding gender and race representation in STEM?
My goal regarding gender and race representation is to decrease the gap between men and women in STEM-related fields. I want to change what a scientist looks like.

Who has been your role model in the science or personal field?
I always like to say my mom is my first role model. She is a psychotherapist, entrepreneur, and public speaker. She has taught me so much about advocating for myself and others. I also look up to Danni Washington, she is an ocean advocate and she's blazing a trail in the Science Communicator field.

What is it like to know that you serve as a role model for many kids across the nation?
To know that I serve as a role model for other kids is truly inspiring. I just hope that they see me and realize that you’re never too young to make a difference.

Does social media prove a valuable platform to get your message across? What are some other ways you educate and advocate for STEM?
Social media has allowed me to reach hundreds of thousands of people from around the globe. It has given me a platform to share my STEM-advocacy journey. In addition to social media, I have a website and I do in-person talks, workshops, and science demonstrations at schools and community events.

What were your emotions during your nomination for Kid of the Year? Did you feel like your passion, hard work, and dedication paid off?
Initially, when I found out about my Kid of the Year nomination I didn’t know if it was spam or junk mail. After I spoke with them, I was blown away. I felt like what I was doing mattered to someone other than me.

You participate in various keynote speaking events for schools. How do you prepare? What information do you share with the students?
When I am speaking at school or any event, I prepare by understanding my audience so I can make the best connections with them. My speech at schools are totally different from when I am speaking to adults. At schools, I am fun and energetic. I share relatable stories such as how I got started, challenges, victories, and my school life. I always leave a message of hope and self-belief. When I speak to adults, I encourage them to be more intentional in including girls and minorities in STEM.

What do you hope the students take away from your presentations?
I hope that students leave feeling empowered, more knowledgeable about STEM, and with an interest in exploring options in STEM-related fields.

Can you tell us a bit more about your humanitarian work? Why is it important to you?
Giving back is very important for me. I believe that access to STEM should be equal no matter who you are or where you’re from. I am a Girl Scout. So, I learned very early on about volunteering and take-action projects. I did a Go-Fund-Me campaign to raise money to donate my STEM Swag Boxes to kids in underserved communities. By giving and helping, I hope to improve the world around me.

How can everyday people who are not necessarily STEM experts be introduced to your work?
People can often find me through social media, particularly Instagram. I encourage to them reach out to me. I love to connect with others.

Are there any projects in the works for STEM Girl Swag?
In Fall 2022, I am launching a new STEM Swag Box. I am most excited about a new collaboration I have with a major technology company; I can’t wait to formally announce it.

What is a goal you have for the future? Where do you see you and your company in 5 years?
My ultimate life goal is to become an astrophysicist. In 5 years, I will be a freshman in college. I see my company moving into a global status joined by many other advocates around the world tackling this issue of inclusion.

It's so impressive how much you have accomplished at such a young age. Do you have any words of encouragement for youth who would like to start their own business just like yourself?
To all of the other youth who are looking to start a business, you don’t have to be in high school or college or an adult. I started when I was nine years old, and I just did what I could. I found a problem that I wanted to solve and that turned into a business.

How have you been staying positive through the pandemic? Are you back to “normal”?
The pandemic was good for me business-wise, personally, not so much. I am getting back to “normal”. I am going out with friends a bit more, and I returned back to school in person.

What is your motto in life?
My motto in life is “Always Question; Always wonder!”

If you love Temple as much as we do, Please follow her on the following platforms:
Instagram: @JustTemple
www.justTemple.com

Temple Lester: The STEM Prodigy