Introducing Students
to STEM early in their education, in both informal and formal learning settings,
capitalizes on children’s innate interest in the world around them.
We encourage
children’s curiosity and to learn about the world around them; to identify universal and environmental challenges; and to apply what they observe and learn to develop innovative solutions.
Effective STEM education starts as early as preschool, is culturally responsive, employs problem-solving and inquiry-based approaches, and engages students in hands-on activities that offer opportunities to interact with STEM professionals.
Rafáel Robinson
2021 Teacher of the Year, Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School, St. Petersburg, FL
2021 Sunshine Ambassador Award, St. Petersburg, FL
2020 Emerging Leader, City of St. Petersburg, FL
2019 NSTA STEM Presenter, San Francisco, CA
2018 STEM Educator of the Year Nominee, Black Education Rocks
2018 NSTA STEM Presenter, Philadelphia, PA
Rafáel Robinson is the visionary and creative genius behind the Super Sprockets phenomenon, and he is well known for shaping and molding the minds of elementary school students throughout Florida’s Pinellas County Schools. His best-known work is the Super Sprockets series, which has begun to pique the interest of children across the country.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and over a decade of experience working in one of the nation’s top STEM schools – Douglas Jamerson Elementary, Rafáel’s vision has created a unique way to help students around the world develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “Our stories help students understand the importance of solving problems no matter how big or small. Providing students with a problem-solving tool like the Super Sprocket Design Process, gives our earliest learners a STEM-based foundation that will last a lifetime.”
The seasoned Florida A&M graduate is also a member of the legendary Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Rafáel’s dedication to teaching problem solving and creating The Super Sprocket Design Process has landed coverage in print and broadcast outlets including BayNews 9, Tampa Bay Parenting and The Weekly Challenger. In addition to being a published author, Rafáel has a strong background in many areas including Elementary Engineering Curriculum, Linear Curriculum Mapping, staff training and development, and leadership parent/community involvement.
The Teacher and the Engineer: Lives of Purpose and Commitment
The teacher and the engineer create the perfect synergy to promote STEM education and innovative learning. Mr. Robinson’s 18 years in the classroom and Ms. Henry’s 20+ years as an engineer in the boardroom, all together strengthens ituey’s purpose and goals.
Cheryl Henry is a visionary entrepreneur and engineer with more than 20 years of experience in industrial engineering, a successful problem solver, co-founder of ituey, llc and an Electrical Hardware Controls Engineer for the international company, Vanderlande.
A native Floridian, born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL, Cheryl is both an engineer, writer, publisher and prolific graphic designer (GEFX Multimedia, Inc.). Early on, Cheryl discovered her interests were evenly split between graphic design and architectural engineering. Thus, at the University of Florida she elected to study both while working as an engineering intern at Honeywell during the summer months.
She started her career at Brown and Caldwell Environmental Engineers and would remain there for 9 years. In 1998, bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, she founded GEFX Multimedia, Inc., a graphic design company that would go on to win an international design award in technical illustration.
In 2012, she helped write and created the games and puzzles for the children’s book High Flyin’ – an illustrated history of the Tuskegee Airmen. This excursion into publishing would later come in handy two years later when she and business partner, Rafael Robinson formed ituey, llc and AEDI Publishing, two literary ventures dedicated to educating early learners in the wonderful world of STEM.
Cheryl has finally merged her greatest interests in life: creativity, engineering and literature.
Cheryl Henry
Children’s Book Author, Publisher, Electrical Hardware Controls Engineer and Graphic Designer Atlanta, GA (Native of Saint Petersburg, FL)
2014 Co-Writer, Publisher (AEDI Publishing) STEM Club Trouble
2012 Co-Writer, Layout, Puzzle Designer of High Flyin’ (Illustrated History of the Tuskegee Airmen)