NestAI

NestAI provides a fun and engaging curriculum covering topics such as problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and a growth mindset. The curriculum is delivered through an online platform that uses AI to personalize the learning experience for each child, based on their interests, needs, and goals. The AI also acts as a mentor and a guide, providing feedback, encouragement, and suggestions for improvement.

The online platform also connects the children with other learners and mentors from around the world, who share their ideas, challenges, and solutions. The children work together on real-world projects that address community and global issues they care about. They learn how to create and innovate their own business ideas, using AI as a tool and a guide. They also explore prosocial careers and opportunities that align with their passions and skills.

NestAI uses various technologies to deliver its solution, such as natural language processing, computer vision, speech recognition, machine learning, and cloud computing. These technologies enable the AI to understand the children’s inputs, generate relevant outputs, adapt to their learning styles and preferences, and provide a seamless and interactive learning environment.

NestAI is a solution that helps children take effective action on community and global issues by deepening their civic knowledge and practicing collaborative problem-solving. It also builds their core social-emotional learning skills and enables them to bridge civic knowledge with taking action. NestAI aims to empower children from low-income backgrounds to become agents of change in their own communities and beyond.

The scale of the problem is huge, both in the communities, I am working in and globally. According to UNESCO, more than 250 million children are out of school, and more than 600 million children are not learning basic skills in reading and math. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, as more than 1.5 billion learners have been affected by school closures, and millions of children may never return to school. The most vulnerable and marginalized children are the hardest hit by the crisis, as they face multiple barriers and challenges in accessing quality education and opportunities.

The factors contributing to the problem include poverty, inequality, discrimination, violence, conflict, displacement, lack of infrastructure, lack of resources, lack of teachers, lack of curriculum, lack of support, lack of motivation, and lack of relevance. These factors prevent children from enrolling in school, staying in school, learning effectively in school, or applying their learning outside school.

The target population whose lives I am working to directly and meaningfully improve are children from low-income backgrounds and impoverished communities who lack access to quality education and opportunities for the future of work. They are currently underserved by the existing education system, which fails to meet their diverse needs, interests, and goals. My solution will address their needs by providing them with a personalized and engaging learning experience that teaches them the core concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation with the help of AI.

Tawfiq Rawnak is the creator and developer of Neural Avifauna, a project that uses machine learning to match brainwave frequencies to assist individuals with mental illnesses1. He is also the co-founder of Boundless BioTech, an organization that provides high school students with the tools they need to succeed in the future, such as Python, Java, and business skills.

As the founder of NestAI, he plays an intricate role in the organization. He oversees the whole organization and ensures that the vision and mission of NestAI align with the children's needs and goals. He leads the development and innovation of an online platform that uses AI to personalize the learning experience for each child. He also manages the operations, cost/risk management, effective communication, critical thinking, and team building of the organization.

He leverages his previous experiences with startups and working with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Nissan, KPMG, JPMorgan Chase, and Cognizant, to create a solution that helps children take effective action on community and global issues. He is passionate about driving progress and innovation, constantly chasing new ideas and introspective questions.

I was raised in a low-income neighborhood and understood the hardships of low-income elementary and middle schools. I didn’t see the impact until I was in college, and I realized how much of a difference education can make. Wealthier kids were on average, more innovative because they had access to quality education and opportunities in STEM fields, especially AI. I wanted to change that and empower children from low-income backgrounds to pursue their passions and careers in AI.

That’s why I co-founded Boundless Biotech, a program that aims to teach free college-level Biomedical Engineering (BME) curriculum (coding, lectures, and field training) to low-income students in Palm Beach County and beyond. We have received $11,500 from Philanthropy Tank, a non-profit organization that funds organizations that create change in Palm Beach County.

My team comprises passionate and talented individuals who share my vision and mission. They also have diverse backgrounds and experiences that bring valuable perspectives and skills to our solution. Some of them are also from low-income backgrounds and impoverished communities, so they understand the challenges and opportunities of our target population. They have biomedical engineering, coding, teaching, mentoring, marketing, and management expertise.

We are not only designing and delivering our solution for the target population but also with them. We are doing this by conducting interviews, surveys, focus groups, and workshops with students, parents, teachers, and community leaders from low-income backgrounds and impoverished communities. We also engage them as co-learners and co-creators of our solution, soliciting their input, ideas, and feedback throughout the process. We are also partnering with local schools, colleges, hospitals, companies, foundations, media outlets, and influencers who can help us reach and serve our target population effectively and efficiently.

Our proximity to the communities we serve, our professional experience in developing biomedical engineering solutions for real-world problems, and our participatory approach to designing and delivering our solutions make us the right people for this challenge. We are confident that our solution will positively impact the lives of children from low-income backgrounds and impoverished communities by providing them with a free college-level biomedical engineering education that prepares them for the future of work.

Based on our experience with Boundless Biotech, we have decided to redirect to NestAI. This program teaches children how to create and innovate their own business ideas, using AI as a tool and a guide. NestAI provides a fun, engaging curriculum covering problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and a growth mindset.

NestAI is a solution that helps children take effective action on community and global issues by deepening their civic knowledge and practicing collaborative problem-solving. It also builds their core social-emotional learning skills and enables them to bridge civic knowledge with taking action. NestAI aims to empower children from low-income backgrounds to become agents of change in their own communities and beyond.

NestAI: The Future of Entrepreneurial Education Amongst Youth with AI.

The specific problem that I am working to solve is the lack of access to quality education and opportunities for children from low-income backgrounds and impoverished communities and the resulting gap in skills and outcomes for the future of work.

The scale of the problem is huge, both in the communities I am working in and globally. According to UNESCO, more than 250 million children are out of school, and more than 600 million children are not learning basic skills in reading and math. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, as more than 1.5 billion learners have been affected by school closures and millions of children may never return to school. The most vulnerable and marginalized children are the hardest hit by the crisis, as they face multiple barriers and challenges in accessing quality education and opportunities.

The factors contributing to the problem include poverty, inequality, discrimination, violence, conflict, displacement, lack of infrastructure, lack of resources, lack of teachers, lack of curriculum, lack of support, lack of motivation, and lack of relevance. These factors prevent children from enrolling in school, staying in school, learning effectively in school, or applying their learning outside school.

The problem also has long-term consequences for the children’s future and well-being. According to the World Economic Forum, 65% of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in completely new job types that don’t yet exist. The future of work will require digital literacy, creativity, leadership, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. However, most schools are not preparing children for these skills, and most children are not acquiring these skills through other means.

My solution relates to the problem by providing a program that teaches children from low-income backgrounds and impoverished communities the core concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation and helps them develop the skills they will need for the future. My solution also provides feedback, support, and recognition to the children as they progress through the program and work on their own business ideas. My solution also organizes offline events that provide hands-on learning experiences, networking opportunities, and exposure to mentors, resources, and opportunities to help children pursue their passions and goals.

My solution aims to empower every child to become an entrepreneur and an innovator for the future. My solution also aims to give every child access to quality education and opportunities to help them achieve their potential. My solution also aims to bridge the gap between education and work and between privilege and disadvantage. My solution also aims to create a positive social and economic impact for children, their families, their communities, and the world.

NestAI provides a fun and engaging curriculum covering topics such as problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and a growth mindset. The curriculum is delivered through an online platform that uses AI to personalize the learning experience for each child, based on their interests, needs, and goals. The AI also acts as a mentor and a guide, providing feedback, encouragement, and suggestions for improvement.

The online platform also connects the children with other learners and mentors from around the world, who share their ideas, challenges, and solutions. The children work together on real-world projects that address community and global issues they care about. They learn how to create and innovate their own business ideas, using AI as a tool and a guide. They also explore prosocial careers and opportunities that align with their passions and skills.

NestAI uses various technologies to deliver its solution, such as natural language processing, computer vision, speech recognition, machine learning, and cloud computing. These technologies enable the AI to understand the children’s inputs, generate relevant outputs, adapt to their learning styles and preferences, and provide a seamless and interactive learning environment.

NestAI is a solution that helps children take effective action on community and global issues by deepening their civic knowledge and practicing collaborative problem-solving. It also builds their core social-emotional learning skills and enables them to bridge civic knowledge with taking action. NestAI aims to empower children from low-income backgrounds to become agents of change in their own communities and beyond.

To illustrate how AI can help a child with their ideas and teach them to continue their passions, I will provide some examples from different age groups:

For a 5-year-old child, AI can help them learn the basics of entrepreneurship and innovation, such as identifying a problem, brainstorming solutions, and creating a prototype. For example, AI can use natural language processing to understand the child’s voice input and provide feedback and encouragement.

For a 10-year-old child, AI can help them develop their skills and knowledge in entrepreneurship and innovation. For example, AI can use machine learning to personalize the learning experience for the child based on their interests, needs, and goals. AI can also use cloud computing to connect the child with other learners and mentors worldwide who share their ideas, challenges, and solutions.

For a 15-year-old child, AI can help them apply their skills and knowledge in entrepreneurship and innovation, such as creating a business plan, pitching their idea, and launching their product or service. For example, AI can use natural language processing to analyze the child’s business plan and provide feedback and suggestions. AI can also use speech recognition to coach the child on delivering a persuasive pitch. 

For a 19-year-old child, AI can help them expand their skills and knowledge in entrepreneurship and innovation, such as scaling their business, managing their team, and exploring prosocial careers. For example, AI can use machine learning to provide insights and analytics on the child’s business data and customer feedback. 

NestAI's approach is grounded in a body of research that underscores the effectiveness of innovative pedagogical approaches in fostering critical skills for the 21st century. A study titled "Innovative Pedagogies of the Future: An Evidence-Based Selection" by Herodotou et al. (2019) emphasizes the need for educational systems to empower learners with skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, innovation, digital literacy, and adaptability. The study presents a set of innovative pedagogical approaches that have the potential to guide teaching and transform learning. These approaches are attached to specific technological developments or have emerged due to an advanced understanding of the science of learning. The study also highlights the importance of evidence-based, effective, and innovative teaching and learning approaches that can result in improved learning outcomes and greater student well-being. Full Text Here

NestAI's solution aligns with these innovative pedagogical approaches by leveraging AI to deliver a personalized learning experience that fosters these critical skills. The AI acts as a mentor and a guide, providing feedback, encouragement, and suggestions for improvement. This approach is designed to empower learners to become "change agents" who can achieve a positive impact on their surroundings by developing empathy and anticipating the consequences of their actions, as suggested by the OECD Learning Framework 2030.

Moreover, NestAI's solution is designed to bridge the gap between the educational vision of the future and current teaching practice. While many educational institutions have adopted innovations in educational technology equipment, this change has not necessarily been accompanied by respective changes in the practice of teaching and learning. NestAI's solution addresses this gap by integrating technology with innovative pedagogical approaches to transform learning processes and outcomes.

In conclusion, the research evidence supports the effectiveness of NestAI's approach in fostering critical skills for the 21st century, bridging the gap between educational vision and current teaching practice, and empowering learners to become change agents. This evidence suggests that NestAI's solution is not only necessary but also has the potential to be successful in addressing the lack of access to quality education and opportunities for children from low-income backgrounds and impoverished communities.

Our organization has conducted extensive research and studies to understand the needs and aspirations of our target audience. One such study was a centralized case study conducted at Palm Beach Lakes High School in South Florida, an impoverished school facing significant challenges in terms of resources and educational materials.

Through this case study, we engaged with parents and teachers to understand their needs and aspirations for their children's education. We asked them what types of education they sought and how NestAI could potentially help. The feedback we received was enlightening and instrumental in shaping our solution.

Parents and teachers expressed a strong desire for an education that was not only academically rigorous but also innovative and entrepreneurial. They recognized that their children had a wealth of ideas and creativity but lacked the resources and support to execute these ideas. They wanted an educational platform that could nurture their children's entrepreneurial spirit and provide them with the tools and guidance to bring their ideas to life.

This feedback resonated strongly with our vision for NestAI. We realized that our solution could fill this gap by providing a platform that fosters problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and a growth mindset. Our AI-driven curriculum could provide personalized learning experiences that cater to each child's interests, needs, and goals. Moreover, our platform could act as a mentor and guide, providing feedback, encouragement, and suggestions for improvement.

In addition to the case study, we also conducted numerous interviews with parents and teachers. These interviews reinforced the findings from our case study. Parents and teachers consistently expressed the need for an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to education. They saw the potential in their children and wanted an educational solution that could unlock this potential.

These research findings have significantly informed our work moving forward. They have validated our approach and given us valuable insights into the needs and aspirations of our target audience. They have also highlighted the importance of providing a platform that not only delivers a high-quality education but also nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit of children. As a result, we are more committed than ever to our mission of empowering every child to become an entrepreneur and an innovator for the future.

As we continue to develop and refine our solution, it is crucial to strengthen the evidence base of NestAI. This is important for several reasons. Firstly, it allows us to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of our solution, which is critical for securing funding, partnerships, and support. Secondly, it enables us to identify areas for improvement and innovation, which is essential for maintaining our competitive edge and delivering the best possible service to our users. Lastly, it helps us to build trust and credibility with our stakeholders, including the children, parents, teachers, and communities we serve.

Now is the right time to engage in a LEAP Project for several reasons. Firstly, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for innovative education solutions like NestAI. With school closures affecting over 1.5 billion learners worldwide, there is a pressing need for online learning platforms that can provide quality education and opportunities for children, especially those from low-income backgrounds and impoverished communities.

Secondly, recent trends and developments in technology and education make this an opportune time to strengthen the evidence base of our solution. As highlighted in the paper "Envisioning future innovative experimental ecosystems through the foresight approach. Case: Design Factory" by Munigala et al. (2018), technological change is accelerating, and the way and what we teach must evolve with the future to remain meaningful and pioneering. The paper presents a case study of anticipating plausible futures for innovative experimental ecosystems, which has implications for innovation ecosystems in general. These insights can inform our efforts to strengthen the evidence base of NestAI and ensure that our solution remains relevant and effective in the face of rapid technological change. Full Text Here

Lastly, there is growing recognition of the importance of AI in education and personalized learning. This is reflected in the increasing number of research studies and publications on these topics. By engaging in a LEAP Project, we can contribute to this body of knowledge and demonstrate the value and potential of NestAI.

In conclusion, strengthening the evidence base of NestAI is not only necessary but also timely. By engaging in a LEAP Project, we can demonstrate the effectiveness of our solution, identify areas for improvement and innovation, build trust and credibility with our stakeholders, respond to the urgent need for innovative education solutions, keep pace with technological change, and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on AI in education and personalized learning.

1. How does the use of AI in NestAI's online platform impact the learning outcomes of children from low-income backgrounds and impoverished communities, specifically in terms of problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and growth mindset skills?

2. How effective is NestAI's online platform in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation among children from these communities, and what are the key factors that contribute to its effectiveness?

3. How does the personalized learning experience provided by NestAI's AI mentor and guide influence the motivation, engagement, and self-efficacy of these children in their learning journey?

Over the course of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint, we aim to achieve several key outputs that will help strengthen the evidence base of NestAI and inform our approach moving forward.

1. Formative Research: We would like the LEAP Fellows to conduct a series of usability studies, feasibility studies, case studies, user interviews, and implementation studies. The goal of these studies is to understand how our target audience interacts with our online platform, how feasible our solution is in different contexts, and how our solution is being implemented and used in real-world settings. We also aim to conduct pre-post or multi-measure research to assess the impact of our solution on the learning outcomes of children. Correlational studies could also be conducted to identify potential relationships between different variables, such as the use of our platform and improvements in problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and growth mindset skills.

2. Summative Research: We would also like the LEAP Fellows to conduct correlational studies, quasi-experimental studies, and randomized control studies. The goal of these studies is to provide a more robust and rigorous assessment of the effectiveness of our solution. For example, a quasi-experimental study could compare the learning outcomes of children who use our platform with those who do not, while a randomized control study could randomly assign children to use our platform or a control condition and compare their learning outcomes.

3. Research Recommendations: Based on the findings from the formative and summative research, we would like the LEAP Fellows to provide research recommendations. These recommendations could inform our approach to improving our solution, such as enhancing the usability of our platform, tailoring our solution to meet the needs of our target audience better, or addressing any challenges or barriers identified in the implementation of our solution.

4. Guidance and Strategies: We would also like the LEAP Fellows to provide guidance and strategies for strengthening the evidence base of our solution. This could include strategies for conducting further research, collecting and analyzing data, and using evidence to inform our decision-making and planning.

These outputs will not only help us strengthen the evidence base of NestAI but also enhance our understanding of our target audience, improve our solution, and guide our approach moving forward.

The outputs from the LEAP Project will be instrumental in guiding the next steps for NestAI. Here's how we plan to put these outputs into action:

1. Incorporating Research Findings into Product Development: The findings from the formative and summative research will be shared with our product development team. They will use this information to make necessary adjustments to our online platform, ensuring it is user-friendly, effective, and meets the needs of our target audience. For instance, if the usability studies reveal that certain features of the platform are difficult to navigate, our team will work on improving these aspects. If the feasibility studies indicate that our solution requires more localized content to be effective in certain contexts, we will focus on developing such content.

2. Informing Strategy and Decision-Making: The research recommendations will be used to inform our strategic planning and decision-making processes. For example, if the research suggests that our platform is particularly effective in fostering problem-solving skills, we might decide to double down on this aspect in our marketing and outreach efforts. If the research indicates potential areas for improvement, we will prioritize these in our strategic planning.

3. Guiding Further Research: The guidance and strategies provided by the LEAP Fellows will be used to shape our future research efforts. This could involve conducting further studies to explore certain findings in more depth, implementing new data collection and analysis methods, or establishing partnerships with research institutions to strengthen our evidence base.

4. Engaging with Stakeholders: We will share the findings from the LEAP Project with our stakeholders, including the children, parents, teachers, and communities we serve, as well as our partners, funders, and supporters. This will not only build trust and transparency but also provide an opportunity for feedback and collaboration. For instance, we might organize community meetings or webinars to discuss the findings and gather input on how to improve our solution.

5. Advocating for Policy Change: If the research findings demonstrate the effectiveness of our solution, we will use this evidence to advocate for policy changes that support the adoption and scaling of innovative education solutions like NestAI. This could involve engaging with policymakers, education leaders, and influencers, and presenting our evidence at conferences, forums, and policy dialogues.

In conclusion, the outputs from the LEAP Project will be invaluable in helping us improve our solution, inform our strategy, guide our research, engage with our stakeholders, and advocate for policy change. We are committed to putting these outputs into action to ensure that NestAI can deliver on its promise of empowering every child to become an entrepreneur and an innovator for the future.

The 12-week LEAP Project sprint is expected to yield both short-term and long-term outcomes for our organization and solution, NestAI.

Short-term Outcomes:

1. Enhanced Understanding of User Needs: Through the formative research, we anticipate gaining a deeper understanding of our users' needs, preferences, and challenges. This will enable us to tailor our solution more effectively to our target audience, thereby increasing user engagement and satisfaction.

2. Improved Product Design: The usability studies will provide valuable insights into how users interact with our platform and where improvements can be made. This will lead to an improved product design that is more user-friendly and effective.

3. Evidence-Based Decision Making: The research findings will provide us with evidence to inform our decision-making processes. This will ensure that our strategies and actions are grounded in evidence, thereby increasing the likelihood of success.

Long-term Outcomes:

1. Strengthened Evidence Base: The summative research, including correlational studies, quasi-experimental studies, and randomized control studies, will strengthen the evidence base of our solution. This will enhance our credibility and trustworthiness, making it easier to secure funding, partnerships, and support.

2. Improved Learning Outcomes: By incorporating the research findings into our product development and strategic planning, we expect to see improved learning outcomes for our users. This includes enhanced problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and growth mindset skills, as well as increased entrepreneurship and innovation.

3. Scalability and Sustainability: The research recommendations and guidance will inform our approach to scaling and sustaining our solution. This could involve exploring new markets, developing new partnerships, diversifying our revenue streams, or improving our operational efficiency.

4. Policy Influence: If the research findings demonstrate the effectiveness of our solution, we will use this evidence to advocate for policy changes that support the adoption and scaling of innovative education solutions like NestAI. This could lead to broader systemic changes that benefit not only our users but also other children and communities.

In conclusion, the 12-week LEAP Project sprint is expected to yield significant short-term and long-term outcomes for our organization and solution. These outcomes will not only enhance our understanding of user needs, improve our product design, and inform our decision-making but also strengthen our evidence base, improve learning outcomes, enhance our scalability and sustainability, and influence policy.