hands-on learning · Orange County · since 2024

Big ideas for tiny scientists.

Lit4Kids turns everyday materials into "wow" moments — hands-on literacy and STEM workshops that help underserved elementary students build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning.

Bring us to your school See our impact
A shelf full of colorful clay creations made by students during a Lit4Kids workshop made by our kids ✦
340+
students reached
36
workshops led
5 → 30+
student volunteers
76%
felt more confident
— across our first two years, and just getting started —
our mission

Closing the gap, one workshop at a time.

Lit4Kids works to close educational gaps for underserved elementary students in Orange County through accessible, hands-on literacy and STEM education. Many families don't have the time, tools, or resources for extra academic support at home — so through engaging workshops in reading, writing, communication, and science, we give kids the skills and confidence to succeed, and help break the cycle of limited educational access across generations.

What students experience

Interactive workshops that blend reading, writing, vocabulary, and communication with creative STEM experiments. Kids learn by exploring, collaborating, and sharing their ideas in a supportive space where curiosity is the point.

Who we serve

Underserved elementary students in Orange County who may have limited access to extra academic support. We work to close opportunity gaps and help every child build confidence, curiosity, and the foundational skills that carry them forward.

our story

From one student's idea to a program built to last.

Lit4Kids has grown every year — not just in numbers, but in the number of high schoolers it teaches to serve, teach, and lead.

2024–25Sophomore year

Building the foundation

Lit4Kids launched at the Sage Hill club fair in September 2024 with a mission to address educational gaps affecting underserved elementary students in Orange County.

10 workshops96 students reached5 volunteers
2025–26Junior year

Expanding into the community

We partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to bring a second round of workshops to local elementary students, adding hands-on STEM experiments that reinforced reading, vocabulary, and critical thinking.

26 workshops250 students reachedover 30 volunteers61% improved76% more confident
2026–27Senior year

Building something that lasts

Lit4Kids is becoming a formal Sage Center service-learning course, partnering with Garfield Elementary in Santa Ana so a larger group of trained student volunteers can lead consistent workshops all year — and so the program outlives any single founder.

  • Reach 400+ elementary students
  • Deliver 40+ workshops across the school year
  • Keep growing the trained student-volunteer team through the service-learning course
  • Raise student improvement to 70%+ and confidence to 80%+
  • Document a replicable model to expand to a second school in 2027–28
voices

The difference, in their words.

"This is the best way to learn science. Today was the best day of my life!"
— Jason B., 1st grade

During a workshop at the Boys & Girls Club, our team taught kids how germs spread. We dabbed glitter on their hands to stand in for germs, then had them shake hands — and watched the "germs" travel from palm to palm. Then, using plastic bottles, paper towels, and dish soap, each child built their own bubble-blower and discovered how washing hands breaks the chain. For Jason, something clicked: a child who usually struggles to connect with his lessons spent the afternoon lit up, asking questions, and finally getting it. That's what Lit4Kids is really about — not just teaching a concept, but showing a kid that learning can feel like the best day of their life.

▶ watch the workshop
Students high-fiving during the germs-and-glitter workshop
Children showing their hands covered in glitter representing germs
“
The Lit4Kids team turns everyday materials into "wow" moments. What impresses me most is how they make every child feel seen. Our kids don't just learn a science concept — they leave believing they're good at learning.
Amelia Jones
Amelia JonesProgram Manager, Boys & Girls Club of Newport Beach, CA
“
In my years across Orange County schools, I've seen a lot of student initiatives come and go. Lit4Kids stands apart — for its consistency, its creativity in the classroom, its flawless execution, and the community it builds around every child. I encouraged Mika to start it, and what she's grown it into has surpassed anything I imagined.
Dr. Devin E. Lawson
Dr. Devin E. LawsonExecutive Director for Santa Ana School District
founded by
Portrait of Mika Ramezani, founder of Lit4Kids

Mika Ramezani

Founder & CEO

Mika founded Lit4Kids after witnessing firsthand the literacy struggles of underserved elementary students who lacked access to the right resources. Determined to break the cycle of educational inequity, she set out to provide these children with the support their own parents never had growing up — so when those kids have families of their own, they'll be equipped to help the next generation succeed. As Mika saw the students' excitement for hands-on learning, she combined her passion for STEM with the literacy program, transforming Lit4Kids into a unique STEM & Literacy initiative serving elementary schools across Orange County. What began as one student's idea is now a structured program that trains other high schoolers to serve, teach, and lead — becoming a formal service-learning course. Mika's goal is to close the literacy gap one child at a time, empowering whole communities for generations to come.

let's work together

Bring Lit4Kids to your school or club.

Partner with us, volunteer, support a workshop, or ask a question. Tell us a little about your organization and our team will follow up.

School & club partnershipsHands-on literacy and STEM workshops for elementary students.
Volunteer opportunitiesHelp students explore, create, and build confidence through learning.
General inquiriesReach us directly at [email protected] or (949) 300-3997.
© 2026 Lit4Kids · Orange County, California