Meet the Tech‑Savvy Twins Turning the Power Platform into Playtime
Who says the future of tech can’t start in a bedroom? Earlier this year, as most kids were still figuring out their “new normal,” 10‑year‑old twins Zara and Zenobia Khan were already busy coding and building apps that would make even seasoned developers pause.
A Microsoft Power Platform Milestone
These siblings snagged the coveted Microsoft Power Platform certification — and not just any traitor. They’re the two youngest people ever to receive it, proving that age isn’t a barrier when your imagination is the limit.
What sparked their love for code?
- Curiosity: “I just wanted to know how apps work. Once I opened the drag‑and‑drop interface, I had to create my own mini‑apps.”
- Play Meets Purpose: “It’s like building Lego blocks but on screen, and the final product can actually do real stuff.”
- Family Support: “Dad walked us through the first steps; we’re grateful for the encouragement.”
Dad‑Centric Parenting Hacks
Their proud dad, Adeel Khan, shone bright during our interview. He shared “The Tech Recipe” for nurturing young talent:
- Encourage Curiosity – “Ask questions, don’t give answers.”
- Set Small Goals – “Each app is a step towards a big dream.”
- Celebrate Experimentation – “It’s OK if a project doesn’t work; it’s a learning curve.”
- Tech Time Slots – “A regular 15‑minute code session keeps creativity flowing.”
With dad’s guidance, the twins have mastered the Power Platform, proving that a supportive environment plus a sprinkle of curiosity can turn a simple idea into a stellar accomplishment.
Children’s Day Spotlight
On Children’s Day (Oct 1), theAsianParent celebrated these two pioneers. Each teenager shared that childhood fascination with gadgets evolved into fierce professional curiosity—an achievement that even the simplest project can inspire.
As the world learns to decode the “new normal,” Zara & Zenobia remind us that innovation often comes from the most unexpected places—very young minds, bright eyes, and the spark of a question.
It all started with an office meeting
Meet the Power Platform Dynamos: Zara & Zenubia
Picture this: two curious sisters, buzzing with curiosity, sit on a sofa while their dad Adeel fires up a work‑from‑home call. Amid the hustle, he keeps dropping the word “Power Platform” like it’s a new dessert at the dinner table.
The Spark
- Dad talks about a tech sauce—Microsoft Power Platform.
- Girls get a taste of intrigue—seeking more than the usual spreadsheets.
- They’re already the curious kind who love turning a blank page into something useful.
Learning With Dad
Once the call ends, Adeel turns the kitchen into a mini classroom. He gifts them the Microsoft Learn portal—a perfect playground where finger‑clicks meet new skills.
- First project: an expense tracker that pulls numbers from Excel and hands out a budget‑friendly plan.
- They’ll hit a snag? He’s there to debug the puzzle.
- Each line of code feels like a secret door opening.
Power Platform Labs & Challenges
Dad hand‑picks extra homework: Labs for hands‑on hacks and Challenges to test their creative chops. These are the stepping stones—
- Build apps.
- Design workflows.
- Connect data streams.
- Show results in a snazzy dashboard.
The Final Test
“We burned through these labs, and then jumped into the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals exam.”
Bottom line: a tech whisper from a dad turned into a roaring journey for two future prodigies. Their kiddie doubt? Gone, replaced with bragging rights over the Microsoft badge.
And the best part? They’re now the youngest to snag that coveted certification—proof that curiosity and teamwork can power up anything!
The girls focused on building apps as a solution to real-world problems
How Zara and Zenubia Turned Everyday Hurdles into App Ideas
Meet the duo: Two sisters, a shared passion for tech, and a mission to make life easier for their friends and family.
Getting Inspired
It all started when Zara and Zenubia noticed the daily challenges that people close to them faced. Think missed appointments, forgettable snack preferences, or simply having no quick way to read reviews on the go.
- Real‑world problems: From organizing meal plans for peanut‑allergic friends to turning a chaotic schedule into a tidy spreadsheet.
- Tech mojo: They found Power Apps surprisingly powerful—like a Swiss Army knife for digital solutions.
Mom’s Nudge
“My mom told us, ‘You’ve got to learn something new outside your usual routine,’” says the sisters. That push allowed them to #grow their skills and, in turn, help others.
Beyond the Basics
With their newfound confidence, they didn’t stop at one brave app. They pushed their creativity further:
- Book Review App: A space for friends to share opinions, bookmark titles, and tag “must‑reads.”
- Peanut Allergy Alert: A handy tool for quick allergy checks—because safety first, right?
Whether it’s keeping track of who’s unfairly allergic, planning weekend reads, or simply staying organized, Zara and Zenubia prove that a little tech plus a lot of heart can turn everyday problems into smooth, simple solutions.
They had limited access to social media till the age of 10
Growing Up the Old‑School Way
Before hitting that sweet age of 10, the sisters Zara and Zenubia were almost day‑dreamers, not day‑bytes. Their parents set a strict game‑stopper on phones and laptops, letting them dive into the world of printed pages instead.
Why the Book‑First Playbook?
- Less Screen Time, More Focus: The kids were told to leave their gadgets at the door, which meant fewer scrolling scrolls and more reading thrills.
- Unleash the Imagination: With no flashy notifications buzzing at them, their minds were free to wander through adventures of dragons, detectives, and distant galaxies.
- Skill Acquisition, Naturally: The girls found that learning new things—whether it was spelling, math, or fun facts—came easier when they weren’t fighting for a thumbs‑up.
“We chillled to challenges rather than distractions,” explains Zara, laughing. “The imagination thing? Totally helped us understand the world, and picking up new skills felt like surfing a wave instead of being stuck in traffic.”
Jumping Into Tech—Like a Ninja
Fast forward to their later years: the parents finally unlocked the digital gates. Suddenly, the sisters were ready for action and could quickly master whatever tech came their way.
Zenubia shares, “Our parents always had a big ‘go for it’ attitude. Learning new skills was the next logical step—tech just seemed like the front‑line opportunity.”
Bottom line: a tech‑free early life gave the girls a solid foundation, and when the world of devices clicked open, they were all set to conquer yet another arena.
Zara and Zenubia want to help more girls adopt STEM
Meet the Trailblazers: Zara & Zenubia
These two fierce friends discovered that today’s STEM world is like a big mystery soup—only about 20‑30% of the workforce is made up of women. That finding sparked a fire in them, and they decided to engineer a change.
Why “garage” ideas are great
- Teachers told them tech wasn’t a game they could win.
- Most classmates were strangers to gear and code.
- But the girls realised: Everyone deserves a slot in the tech studio.
Power Apps & the Quest for More Girl Power
Now they’re diving into Power Apps and other tech tools. “Think of it as building your own Lego set—only the bricks are apps and data.” The goal? Make tech less intimidating and more “wow‑worthy.”
What’s next for all the future tech wizards?
Zara and Zenubia want more young women to pick up that first gear. They hope their own story—full of hustle, humor, and a pinch of daring—will show everyone that stepping into STEM isn’t just about equations; it’s about creativity, confidence, and a bit of swagger.
A balance between learning and playing
Meet the Dynamic Duo of Learning and Fun
Classroom Champions
On any ordinary weekday, our two bright‑eye girls—Zara and Zenubia—are glued to their books. They say, “Math and integrated studies are our favorite subjects, and we strive to get better at them.” So, whether it’s tackling algebra or deciphering civic responsibilities, they’re on it.
Tech Whizzes on the Side
When the desk is calm, the world of Microsoft Azure becomes their playground. They spend their free time exploring AI and Machine Learning, turning the cloud into a sandbox for creative experimentations.
Parental Partners
- Every parent knows the trick: watching for balance.
- Adeel and his wife sit on the sidelines, ensuring the daughters aren’t drowning in code or getting too bogged down in formulas.
- They gatekeep with gentle nudges— “Give us a breath, kids! Time to stretch that brain.”
Beyond the Books and Screens
Those girls are not all problem‑solving! They also love to keep their bodies in motion: cycling rides, scooter sessions, and swimming laps—classic ways to keep batteries charged for the next lesson or hackathon.
In short, the girls are juggling academics, tech‑y adventures, and a healthy dose of physical fun—all while making their parents proud and keeping their days balanced.
They are not afraid of failure
Adeel’s Parenting Hack: Turning Tech Fumbles into Triumphs
Picture this: a dad who’s as comfortable with spreadsheets as he is with bedtime stories. That’s Adeel, because his wife’s secret weapon is a positive learning sanctuary for their two tech‑savvy girls.
What’s the Secret Sauce?
- Move Past Fear – “We’re ditching the panic about screwing up,” Adeel says, treating mistakes like stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.
- Risk‑Takers, Not Fear‑Makers – The girls learn that every glitch is just a chance to get better.
- Let the Kids Brainstorm – Adeel keeps his Power‑Platform expertise in the back pocket, nudging the girls to find solutions on their own.
- Break Time, Not Bedtime – A quick pause reset before diving back in means fresh eyes and big smiles.
Why the Dad’s “No‑Help” Strategy Works
“When my kids hit a snag, I almost never give them the answer right away,” he says. “I let them run through the maze, so when they win the game (or fix the code), the victory feels all the sweeter.”
Dad’s Proud Moment
By cheering them on rather than fixing it at the keyboard, Adeel watches his daughters transform overconfidence into curiosity. “Their confidence is through the roof, and they’re actually more excited about trying again,” he proudly reports.
The future of learning is here and spearheaded by fearless leaders like Zara and Zenubia
Meet Zara & Zenubia: Two Girls Breaking Tech Stereotypes
These sisters are on a mission to make sure everyone—from toddlers to grandpas—can dive into the Power Platform and build their own apps. For them, it’s all about learning without boundaries, no matter how old or who you are.
What They’re Saying
- “Take that first step,” Zara says. “If you stumble a bit, no worries—go for it! You’ll get better as you go.”
- Zenubia adds, “Don’t quit. Every setback is a stepping‑stone.”
Bottom line: Anyone who wants to code but feels nervous can simply start—Zara and Zenubia are living proof of doing it right.
Parent Perspective
Adeel, a proud parent, thinks a supportive environment is key. “Let your kids create their own learning path. Know when to step in, but mostly let them explore. Encourage them when they’re learning new skills.”
Let’s Smash the “Tech Is Not for Girls” Myth
When someone says tech isn’t for girls, tell them about these twins who’re carving out a hero’s journey in the digital world. Their story shows anyone—from any age or gender—can build the future.
Celebrating Children’s Day
Children’s Day is always a special moment for the family.
Before COVID, they’d hand out gifts to families. This year, they’re shifting gears and planning a hands‑on tutorial for kids to master Azure Machine Learning tools.
It’s a day they’ll remember not by buying toys but by coding skills they’ll love forever.
—
This article first appeared in theAsianparent. Learn More about e‑learning, parenting, teenagers, and inspiration.
