April Surac is a teen innovator from Florida whose work focuses on building accessible, technology-driven solutions for students with learning differences and individuals with sensory challenges. April created Bookoli, an EdTech platform that uses artificial intelligence to diagnose dyslexia and related reading difficulties, with the goal of improving literacy rates and long-term academic retention. The platform has been tested with over 150 users and is currently partnered with 10 schools across Florida. Bookoli earned early-stage funding through a $1,000 grant from Microsoft for Startups and continues to grow through school pilots and educator feedback.

Additionally, April leads NeuraSensa, a neurotechnology and sensory design initiative she founded in 2024 to create interactive textile-based installations for individuals with autism, Alzheimer’s, and sensory processing challenges. She spends 25 to 40 hours each month designing and curating sensory-responsive pieces that blend materials, technology, and art to support cognitive engagement and emotional well-being, reaching over 10,000 attendees through public exhibitions and outreach.

Reach out to April: avrilsurac@gmail.com

About the host: Nirbhuy Arun is a 10-year-old Gifted Davidson’s Young Scholar, a MENSAn who lives in Richland, Washington, USA. He is interested in solving complex problems and has a deep passion in understanding the role of AI in medicine. He loves to work on embedded systems and spends his time researching math and loves to explore maps.

Hosted by Neha Sarda, Innovation World Podcast Series welcomes Jasper Gould and Emile Chilingirian, Cofounders and Copresidents of the BYCIG and Cohosts of Passing the Torch Media.

Learn more about BYCIG: https://bycig.org/ | jasper@bycig.org | emile@bycig.org

More about our host: Neha Sarda is a 17-year-old living in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, who is obsessed with discovering youth-led revolutions around the world.

Listen to more young innovator podcasts: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1589629
Learn more about Innovation World: https://innovationworld.org/

Cleaning Up the Future: Youth-Led Environmental Action in The Gambia with Sarra Baldeh

On this episode of the Young Collaborators Podcast Series, we’re exploring the fight against littering and waste mismanagement with a very special guest, Sarra Baldeh! Sarra is the Vice President and Co-Founder of Jama Youth Organization, a youth-led group in The Gambia, Africa working to promote environmental sustainability through community clean-ups and sanitation education. Today, he’ll be sharing more about himself, the work of Jama Youth, and how young people are leading the charge for a cleaner future.

Learn about the Jama Youth Organization: Jama Youths Association J.Y.A | Facebook

About the host: Aarin Bothra is a 15-year-old high school student from Aurora, Illinois. He is an inventor, innovator and the Co-Founder and Director of Seeds of Hope, an environmental nonprofit. Aarin speaks English, Hindi, Japanese and Spanish. Aarin is the Growth and Social Media Intern for Innovation World and a regular co-host and translator for presenters at the Global Innovation Field Trip.

Listen to more young innovator podcasts: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1589629

Learn more about Innovation World: https://innovationworld.org/