Teen girl’s stroke-detecting watch wins national STEM challenge

Naya Ellis, a student at John F. Kennedy High School in New Orleans, is gaining recognition for her remarkable invention, the WingItt, a stroke-detecting watch. Her invention won her the championship title in the National STEM Challenge, earning praise for her innovation and commitment to helping others.

Naya’s inspiration for the WingItt came from her personal experiences. She was initially motivated by her mother’s health battle, during which she took on the role of caregiver. This experience led her to explore ways to address health issues, starting with the idea of detecting seizures. However, after analyzing her data, Naya shifted her focus to stroke detection, a health issue that also hit close to home as her grandmother had suffered from a stroke.

Despite being a freshman, Naya designed the WingItt, a device that monitors nerve impulses and heartbeats to identify potential strokes. Her device targets adults over 55, who are more prone to strokes. One of Naya’s goals is to make her invention affordable, unlike expensive health-monitoring technologies currently available.

In an interview, Naya expressed her desire to pursue something she is passionate about while making a positive impact on the world. She is preparing to showcase her invention at the National STEM Challenge festival in Washington, D.C. Naya has big dreams of becoming an obstetrician-gynecologist, reflecting her dedication to empowering women and bringing new life into the world.

Naya Ellis is among 2,500 students from across the country who will be presenting at the National STEM Challenge festival. Her innovative approach to addressing real-world health issues demonstrates the potential of young minds to make a significant impact on society. Through her invention, Naya is not only changing the narrative in STEM but also inspiring others to pursue their passions and create meaningful change.

Repurposed article originally published in Newsone

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