UCF Grad Brings Innovation Kits to Elementary Schools

Kelly Shea didn't learn to read until third grade, but that struggle became her superpower. The UCF graduate now runs Innovation Station, a company bringing hands-on learning kits to elementary schools across Florida.

The kits follow two characters, Bella and Toby, through creative projects that teach kids to build and problem-solve using arts and crafts instead of Google searches. Each kit includes worksheets, activities, and a little inventor's notebook where students draw or write about challenges they face.

Shea's timing couldn't be better. Studies show children's attention spans are shrinking as screen time increases, and kids are developing dependency on devices at younger ages.

"Kids are coming home and the parents are plugged into their phones and computer screens," said Chuck Burgess, CEO of High 5, a nonprofit organization partnering with Innovation Station. "That becomes a habit so when they go to school they become dependent on the devices."

High 5 operates a 12-acre campus in Florida offering athletic and educational programs for students in grades K-5. The organization will pilot Shea's kits in their after-school programs this year.

The Ripple Effect

Shea's vision extends far beyond one classroom. She plans to create district-wide competitions where students use the kits to develop inventions they could eventually pitch on shows like Shark Tank.

Burgess shares her enthusiasm for teaching kids entrepreneurial thinking early. "If we got a kid in second grade, we want them to use Innovation Station to create a prototype," he said.

The partnership aims to show young students they don't need to wait until adulthood to think like CEOs. By giving elementary schoolers the tools to create and problem-solve independently, both organizations hope to build a generation of passionate learners.

Shea's message to students is clear: "At UCF, there are so many resources for students to start their own businesses, but I want students to know they can start a business from a young age." Her own journey from struggling reader to education innovator proves that early challenges can fuel future success.