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Meet Yaya Johnson: The Little Engineer Who Makes Big Ideas Happen
Introducing Yaya Johnson, the spirited 8-year-old mastermind behind the Builder Crew. With her signature toolbelt and "let's build something brilliant!" attitude, Yaya turns everyday problems into exciting engineering adventures for young readers.
Yaya's Distinctive Look & Style
Signature Style
Yaya's deep brown skin with warm undertones complements her vibrant orange color palette. Her two afro puffs secured with bright orange bows bounce with her energetic movements, while her trusty goggles rest on her head, ready to be pulled down when it's time to focus.
Practical Fashion
Her patched denim overalls aren't just a fashion statement—they're functional! Multiple pockets hold small parts and notes, while her leather toolbelt with specialized pouches carries her essential building tools. Her red-orange sneakers are perfect for running between projects.
Builder's Posture
Average height for her age, Yaya carries herself with what her PawPaw calls a "builder's posture"—shoulders back, head high, and always leaning slightly forward, ready to jump into action. Her agile movements reflect her hands-on approach to problem-solving.
The Brilliant Mind Behind the Toolbelt

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Inventive Genius
Yaya approaches every challenge with "What if we try this?" energy
Natural Leader
Motivates her Builder Crew with enthusiasm and confidence
Expressive Optimist
Faces setbacks with a positive "let's test and tweak" attitude
Brave Problem-Solver
Tackles neighborhood issues with creativity and determination
While Yaya excels at creative thinking and leadership, she's still developing patience when mistakes happen. Her third-grade reading level surpasses expectations, especially with diagrams and blueprints. What truly sets her apart is her ability to break big problems into small, testable experiments—a skill she enthusiastically shares with friends.
Yaya's Engineering Approach to Learning
Identify the Problem
Yaya observes real-world challenges with curious eyes
Design Solutions
Creates blueprints and sketches to visualize possibilities
Build Prototypes
Constructs hands-on models to test her theories
Test and Revise
Embraces the iterative process with enthusiastic adjustments
As a visual and hands-on learner, Yaya thrives when working with mechanics, tools, and creative prototyping. Her approach aligns perfectly with NGSS engineering standards for defining problems and comparing solutions. She naturally introduces STEM vocabulary into everyday conversations, making complex concepts accessible to her friends and young readers alike.
The Tools That Make the Engineer
Oversized Wrench
Yaya's signature tool, perfect for adjusting her larger inventions and emphasizing important points during Builder Crew meetings. This bright orange wrench was her first tool gift from PawPaw.
Blueprint Scroll
A roll of graph paper where Yaya sketches her designs with remarkable spatial awareness. She's rarely seen without it tucked into her back overall pocket, ready for when inspiration strikes.
Custom Multi-Tool
Created alongside PawPaw in his workshop, this personalized gadget combines a screwdriver, ruler, level, and magnifying glass—all color-coded for quick access during building sessions.
Safety Goggles
More than protection, these goggles symbolize Yaya's transition into "serious building mode." When they drop from her head to her eyes, everyone knows it's time to focus.
Yaya's Family & Support System
PawPaw: The Hands-On Mentor
Yaya's grandfather is a retired carpenter whose workshop became her first laboratory. With weathered hands and endless patience, he teaches Yaya tool safety and craftsmanship, sharing stories of his own building adventures. Their Saturday morning workshop sessions are where Yaya developed her custom multi-tool and learned the value of measuring twice and cutting once.
Grandma: The Scientific Mind
A retired science teacher, Grandma bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. She encourages Yaya to document her experiments, teaching her the scientific method while incorporating STEM principles into everyday tasks like cooking and gardening. Under Grandma's guidance, Yaya learns that true engineering solves real human problems.
The Builder Crew
Emma, Max, Mila, and Alex form Yaya's trusted circle of fellow young innovators. Each brings different strengths to their collaborative projects, with Yaya naturally falling into the leadership position. Through these friendships, she's learning that the best solutions come from combining diverse perspectives and skills.
How Yaya Sounds: Voice & Expression
Signature Catchphrases
  • "Let's build something brilliant!"
  • "Time to engineer a solution!"
  • "If we adjust this part juuuust a little..."
  • "Hmm, that's a fascinating problem!"
Speaking Style
  • Quick-paced with bubbling enthusiasm
  • Naturally incorporates STEM vocabulary
  • Often thinks aloud through problems
  • Uses vivid metaphors to explain concepts
Expressive Traits
  • Animated hand gestures when explaining
  • Voice rises with excitement during discoveries
  • Narrates her building process step-by-step
  • Switches to a "teaching voice" with friends
Yaya's dialogue captures her bright curiosity and leadership qualities. Her speech pattern reflects her thought process—connecting ideas rapidly and building verbal momentum like she builds her creations. When she's truly focused, her narration becomes more methodical: "Okay, if we connect this gear here, then the energy transfers to this wheel, which should make our recycling sorter move... let's test it!"
Yaya's Educational Journey & Growth
Individual Maker
Begins by building solo projects with basic tools, often rushing through plans in excitement
Team Collaborator
Learns to incorporate others' ideas and value different perspectives in the Builder Crew
Thoughtful Planner
Develops patience to revise designs and document the iterative process
Community Problem-Solver
Applies engineering skills to address real neighborhood challenges
Yaya's character arc follows her growth from an impulsive individual builder to a thoughtful team leader. Through stories, young readers experience how engineering principles connect to essential life skills like collaboration, persistence, and systematic thinking. Her adventures support NGSS standards while making STEM concepts accessible and exciting.
Perfect for maker spaces, design labs, and project-based learning, Yaya's character demonstrates that engineering is about more than building things—it's about building confidence, relationships, and solutions that matter to real people.