We Make STEM …Simple.
Our story
Nafees Innovations was founded with one clear mission: make science real, exciting, and accessible for everyone. Built by Nafees Norris, a bioprocessing professional and educator, the organization was created to bridge the gap between what students learn in school and the hands-on skills used in real labs and biotech careers.
What started as a vision to make complex STEM concepts simple has grown into a dynamic learning experience for toddlers, students, teens, and adults through workshops, school partnerships, private programs, and STEM birthday labs. At Nafees Innovations, we believe confidence is built by doing, not just watching, so every experience is designed to be interactive, high-energy, and meaningful. Our story is about opening doors, building future innovators, and proving that science can be both professional and fun for every community we serve.
“Your Character Will Take You Places Your Talent Cannot”
-Nafees Norris
It’s one thing to teach the skill set—but at Nafees Innovations, we’re building leaders, not just learners. Our bioprocessing program prepares youth to not only step into the field with real industry-level confidence, but to lead in STEM
Core Values
At Nafees Innovations, our core values aren't posted on a wall — they're practiced in every lab, every session, and every interaction. L.A.C.K. is the standard we hold ourselves to and the foundation we build every future scientist on. Leadership isn't just taught here — it's lived.
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L — Loving We believe the best science happens in an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and genuinely supported. Love is not soft — it's the most powerful motivator in any lab, classroom, or career. At Nafees Innovations, we lead with love so every student shows up ready to learn and leave ready to lead.
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A — Accommodating Every student walks through our doors at a different starting point, and we meet every single one of them exactly where they are. Whether you're 2 or 52, a complete beginner or already building your career — our program flexes to fit you. No one gets left behind in our lab.
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C — Caring We care deeply about outcomes — not just what happens in the session, but what happens in your life because of it. Our scientists, educators, and staff invest in the growth of every participant beyond the lab bench. When you succeed, we succeed — and that's not a talking point, that's our standard.
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K — Kindness Kindness is the foundation of a lab where bold thinking, honest questions, and real growth are all possible. We create a space where no one is afraid to try, fail, ask, or go again. In our lab, kindness isn't a weakness — it's what makes great scientists and even greater leaders.
What kind of Science Experience do we Provide?
At Nafees Innovations, we provide more than fun STEM activities. We deliver real, hands-on learning experiences that expose students to both manufacturing and research & development. Our students do not just follow instructions. They learn how to think critically, solve problems, test ideas, and make informed decisions they can apply to future projects, school pathways, and career opportunities. Every workshop is intentionally designed to build confidence and workforce readiness through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with no part of STEM left out.
For our adult participants, our workshops are not simple “make-and-take” events. They are Make, TEST, and Take experiences. Adults create products such as disinfectants, laundry detergent, bath bombs, candles, and more using real scientific principles, then TEST performance and functionality before taking products home. This adds value, credibility, and real-world application to every session, because participants leave not only with a product, but with proof that it works and an understanding of the science behind it.
We believe exposure should start early. If athletes, Olympians, and entertainers can begin developing their skills at a young age, then young learners should also be able to start building scientific skills early. STEM confidence, innovation, and leadership do not begin in adulthood. They begin with opportunity. Nafees Innovations creates that opportunity by making science practical, exciting, and accessible from the very beginning.
Meet the Founder
Nafees Norris is a biopharmaceutical process engineer and bioprocessing professional with real industry experience as a cell culture scientist in biopharma. He is the first African-American to earn a Master’s degree in Biopharmaceutical Process Engineering (to his knowledge), and he founded Nafees Innovations to make high-level science accessible, exciting, and real for the next generation. Through bioprocessing-based labs, Nafees doesn’t just teach technical skills—he develops future leaders who are prepared to walk into STEM spaces ready to contribute, communicate, and lead.
What People Are Saying about Nafees Innovations
"My daughter walked out of her first session talking about bioprocessing like she'd been in a lab her whole life." — Parent, STEM Saturdays Ages 6–11
“I came in knowing nothing about science and left feeling like I could actually have a career in this industry." — Adult Friday Participant
"This isn't like any STEM program I've seen — they treat the kids like real scientists and it shows." — Community Partner