NC STEM | STEM Education | Educational Outreach | Brainy Builders Camp | Summer Camp

BRAINY
BUILDERS

UNLOCK CREATIVITY. UNLEASH GENIUS. BUILD FUTURES

BrainyBuilders is a community STEM enrichment hub where students learn by doing. Through hands-on projects and real-world challenges, we help young minds explore science, technology, engineering, and math in engaging and meaningful ways.

From after-school programs and summer camps to Saturday Discovery classes and specialized STEM pathways, BrainyBuilders empowers students to build skills, confidence, and a future full of possibilities.

Brainybuilders | NC STEM | STEM Education | Educational Outreach | Brainy Builders Camp | Summer Camp

UNLOCK
CREATIVITY

UNLEASH
GENIUS

BUILD
FUTURES

INNOVATORS IN ACTION

Dedicated to showcasing the young women who are leading the way in STEM. These scholars and high achievers, ages 15 to 21, are pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes, and inspiring others with their incredible accomplishments. Join us as we celebrate their journeys, highlight their contributions, and support the next generation of female leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Daria Boulankina

Daria Boulankina, a remarkable high school sophomore whose passion, leadership, and dedication to service are truly inspiring.

Daria was recently accepted to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, where she will complete her final two years of high school. With an unweighted GPA of 4.25, she is not only academically exceptional but also deeply engaged in creating opportunities for others. She currently serves as the Entrepreneurship Liaison at Wakaboomee, helping student-led organizations grow and thrive through bi-weekly entrepreneurship meetings. As Vice President of Leadership for DECA and a leader in Science Olympiad, Daria plays a key role in guiding her peers in both business and STEM fields.

In addition to her academic and leadership roles, Daria is an active member of the Debate Club, having competed in two Harvard Debate tournaments and earning a fully funded spot at the President’s Cup hosted by the Coolidge Foundation — an incredible achievement for her first year as a varsity debater.

Daria is passionate about business, biology, STEM, and marketing. She’s currently enrolled in AP Biology and participates in the most rigorous STEM courses offered at her school. She also took part in the Women’s Day Business Expo and competed in their business pitch competition. Most notably, she won $5,000 at Wake Tech’s first-ever business pitch competition. Daria also competed in a robotics competition with Forge Initiative.

Beyond academics, Daria is committed to making a difference in the lives of others. She mentors a young girl, helping her navigate school and life challenges, and serves as the Project Chair for her school’s Key Club, where she coordinates major volunteer efforts for one of the largest clubs on campus. She was also a member of a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraising team, where she earned a spot in their Team Member Hall of Fame.

Aaliyah Owoyemi

Aaliyah Owoyemi is a passionate and driven high school senior, dedicated to advocating for women in STEM. Recognizing the lack of representation in her school’s STEM academy, she founded the Women in STEM Club to create a supportive space where girls can connect, collaborate, and thrive in male-dominated fields.

Her love for technology fuels her ambition to pursue a degree in electrical engineering and contribute to groundbreaking research. During the summer before her senior year, Aaliyah attended Duke’s Outreach Design Education (ODE) program, where she collaborated with a team to develop a cost-efficient diaphragm pacemaker, earning the People’s Choice Award.

Additionally, she competed at NC State’s Pitch and Design Contest, where she and her partner secured 3rd place and the Impact Award for their innovative app designed to make charitable donations more accessible and reliable.

Beyond STEM, Aaliyah has a passion for storytelling and serves as one of the Editors-in-Chief of her school’s yearbook. Her leadership extends across multiple extracurriculars, including varsity softball and tennis, winterguard, National Technical Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society), Student Government, and the Technology Student Association.

As the eldest daughter and the first in her family to graduate high school in the U.S., Aaliyah is determined to make an impact—blending engineering with real-world applications to drive meaningful change in underrepresented communities.

Ashley Gaines

Ashley Gaines is a dedicated junior at Winston Salem State University, majoring in Biology with a minor in Public Health. With a current GPA of 3.6, she demonstrates academic excellence, having earned recognition as a Phi Eta Sigma Scholar, Truist Stem Scholar, and a member of Beta Beta Beta Biological Science Honor Society. Additionally, she is the recipient of the WSSU Alumni Chapter Scholarship.
Her academic journey includes taking rigorous STEM courses such as Physics, Organic Chemistry Lab, and Molecular Biology, and she actively participates as a subject tutor, assisting peers in their studies. Ashley also contributes to the academic community as a Truist Stem Scholar and a Beta Beta Beta Biological Science Scholar, furthering her passion for science and research.
Aiming to attend medical school after graduation, Ashley aspires to become a physician. Her dedication to research and community impact is evident through her internship at Wake Forest University, where she worked on cancer biology, specifically studying Small Cell Lung Cancer and its impact on patients with Brain Metastasis. Ashley has also been invited to and attended the ABRCMS national research conference, further solidifying her commitment to advancing medical research and healthcare solutions for her community.
Through her academic achievements, research, and tutoring efforts, Ashley Gaines exemplifies leadership and a strong commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Who We Are

BrainyBuilders provides educational enrichment to youth and adults. Our classes and camps are dedicated to nurturing all minds in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Brainy Builders Camp | Summer Camp | NC STEM | STEM Education | Educational Outreach

BRAINY BUILDERS

We believe in tomorrow! Support our mission today.

At BrainyBuilders, we are not just educators; we're the architects of possibility. With a passion for inspiring innovation and a commitment to unleashing genius, we're here to create a future that's as brilliant as the minds we nurture.

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MEET OUR LEADERS

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Joyce (volunteer)

“Volunteering at BrainyBuilders camp was one of the most rewarding experience for a dedicated volunteer. Working with young minds is extremely comprehensible and phenomenal. There is no greater reward. I look forward to summer 2024!”

Danielle (parent)

“The summer STEM camp was such a great experience for my girls. I enrolled my daughter for one session and then brought both her and my niece back a second time. They loved it. It was such a great mix of fun and learning. We are looking forward to the next one!”