Why choose an interactive doll to help expose kids to concepts of computer science?
Entertainment is a viable means to grab a child’s attention. In hopes that our children (especially young Black girls) will be inspired to pursue a STEM field, we aim to meet them in a medium that they enjoy. I thought that since kids love to play with dolls, what would the educational component be? So I figured the doll could have a voiceover box that speaks – teaching fundamental computer science terms in a fun, easy-to-understand, and relatable way. It’s encouraging to see our interactive Somi, the Computer Scientist® doll, is truly resonating with young and elderly consumers alike. At home and in the classroom.
The Somi doll also raises awareness of cyberbullying. What led to the inclusion of that topic in usage?
I aim to bring awareness of all aspects of Computer Science (CS) – it’s not simply about coding/programming. According to the K-12 Arizona Computer Science Standards, there are five core concept areas of CS. One of them is “Impacts of Computing” which covers how advancements in CS technologies affect our everyday lives. I wanted our brand, “Somi, the Computer Scientist®”, to also address a social awareness issue that is prevalent in our society today. For example, gone are the days when acts of bullying remained within the four walls of a school. In the age of social media, an act of cyberbullying could have a more massive detrimental impact to the bullied. With great power comes greater responsibilities. Having access to these digital technologies requires us (children and adults) to govern ourselves responsibly online. Having the Somi doll raise awareness of cyberbullying adds more value to our product and has a greater impact on the community.
You created Somi in order to give back to the community. Share with us why choosing this approach was so important to you on a personal level.
Many years ago, I found myself at a low point. Being entrenched in a difficult marriage affected all areas of my life leading to stagnation. I was in desperate need of hope, joy, and fulfillment – to pursue something greater than myself so my life could have more meaning. I needed to give back in a way that truly resonated with me. I have worked in the IT industry for about two decades and was often the only woman on the Software Development team. It takes self-confidence and knowledge to thrive in this male-dominated space. Bringing awareness of Computer Science education to underrepresented communities was the conduit for me to attain fulfillment through community impact. I want to see more minorities like myself dominating and innovating within this Computer Science/IT industry. Sharing my knowledge, creativity, and gifts to help cultivate future innovators in underrepresented communities is how I am giving back and living a more fulfilling, purpose-driven life.
How has working in the tech industry prepared you for launching this product in particular?
My educational background laid the foundation I needed. I have a Bachelors of Science (BS) degree in Computer Science, a Masters of Science (MS) degree in Technology Management, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate. During my career, I got the opportunity to work in diverse roles within the Software Development team from project management, business requirements analysis, technical solutions design, project execution/programming, quality assurance control/testing, and production release management. Being multifaceted is truly a leverage for me. I have the ability to see the big picture and also the minute details of a project. Launching a product touches on all these roles.
What would you say has been the most contributing factor in the low number of minority girls flourishing in computer science?
This male-dominated Computer Science industry can be quite intimidating and at times toxic. There is this pressure to be perceived as smart, “all-knowing” perhaps, and anything less than – then you may wrestle with not being perceived as smart enough. The truth is, no one knows everything! So you simply need to be confident in what you do know and be confident that you can utilize your resources to gain knowledge on what you do not know yet. That self-confidence will help you stand firm, and poised in rooms where you are the minority. This is how you thrive in this space. That is why I created the product brand, “Somi, the Computer Scientist®”, to help boost the confidence of underrepresented children (especially minority girls).
You have spoken on the importance of representation in tech. What was the biggest challenge you have faced as a Black woman in your field?
The biggest challenge I faced in this field is communicating effectively to those in authority without being perceived as bossy, abrasive, or intimidating. I am aware that as a Black woman in tech, exemplifying leadership traits are often misconstrued as a negative or even a threat to someone’s job position. It would have been great to have a mentor that looked like me to guide me in this particular area. I hope anyone reading this could benefit from my experience. I now understand that I do not have control over how others perceive me, but I do have control over how I relate to others. I have learned that it takes emotional intelligence (EI) and diplomacy to communicate effectively with those in authority at work. What you say and especially how you say it matters.
How would you describe the public reception of Somi?
Here is real-life feedback from a customer, a mother of a Black 9-year-old girl said that “Somi is AWESOME” because after her daughter interacted with the Somi doll, she is now talking about engineering things and she had never expressed interest in this topic prior. Another said her granddaughter looked at the Somi doll and said out loud, “She is smart and beautiful just like me”. Recently, our Somi dolls and books were used by teachers in the classroom. The feedback we have gotten has been awe-inspiring. Some teachers have said, among the girls in their classroom, the Somi doll has sparked interest in Computer Science (CS) like never before. The students are excited that the Somi doll looks like them or a relative. Another teacher said that this was a wonderful way to teach kids about CS. “Somi, the Computer Scientist®” was designed intentionally to communicate these perceptions.
Having received high praise from tech experts and media outlets alike, do you plan to expand your product line into other ethnic groups?
I have always positioned the “Somi, the Computer Scientist®” product brand to grow. That’s why I introduced other characters/ethnicities in our “Princess Can Code” storybook. Somi’s best friends are Esmeralda “Esie”, a young Hispanic/Latino girl, and Noah, a young Black boy. Our focus right now is to build out this current brand into a strong household name via various other product offerings such as an educational animated cartoon series and game-based learning software etc. Once the “Somi, the Computer Scientist®” product brand is well established then we would move forward in building new product lines with other ethnic groups. It is imperative that I mention that my company, Innovant Technologies, is a Computer Science EdTech company and not a doll manufacturing company, so our focus is on building many EdTech products that effectively serve a niche target audience first.
If a reader wanted to purchase a Somi doll today, where are they currently sold?
Thanks for asking. Our gorgeous 14” interactive Somi, the Computer Scientist® doll, is currently available for purchase directly from our e-commerce store at www.somidoll.com or from Amazon. Use coupon code 1FREESTORYBOOK in our store to get a free copy of our “Princess Can Code” storybook – just pay shipping. The book includes two chapters, 13 captivating illustrations, two coding exercises, a Computer Science glossary with 16 definitions, and free access to download the audiobook on the last page.
What advice would you offer someone looking to get their child(ren) more involved in STEM along with the doll?
Although all our current “Somi, the Computer Scientist®” products are standalone, they help reinforce similar fundamental Computer Science (CS) concepts. The Somi doll helps to spark interest in CS/STEM, our “Princess Can Code” storybook helps to boost CS literacy by sparking a child’s imagination through creative storytelling, and our “Computer Science Activity Book for Girls & Boys” provides more fun unplugged practical exercises to help with knowledge retention and nurture creative thinking. The age target for the doll is 5+ but the books are best for ages 7 – 11. Also, find non-profit STEM/Computer Science organizations creating programs that serve young children. Sign up for their newsletter so you could be informed about their free/paid community workshops, programs, STEM Camps, or STEM Fairs. I also have a nonprofit, CompSci ABC (Computer Science Awareness in Black Communities), but there are many others out there as well.
Be’n Original
