Co-President

“Throughout my life, whether it be school, extracurricular activities, or my own research, I’ve always had a love for STEAM. Learning about the wonders of nature, astronomy, chemistry, physics, and the environment have always piqued my interest and have served as the breeding ground for many of my passions. From science olympiad to robotics, I’ve been lucky enough to experience all the wonders that STEAM has to offer and it has definitely revealed to me how much fascinating and interesting knowledge lies in the field. This is exactly why I joined Youth STEAM Outreach; I want to replicate my gratifying experiences for those who lack access to these opportunities. Through YSO, I hope to ignite curiosity in children and inspire a lifelong passion for the wonders of the STEAM field.”

Co-President

Mathematics, or any fields of STEAM in general, have always been an important part of my life. Whether it be through research, cool engineering projects, or learning about upcoming fields in AI, I’ve always had a special relationship with the fields of mathematics, physics, and computer science. From being a multiple time AIME qualifier to competing in multiple Robotics competitions, I’ve seen a lot of cool things about STEAM. Through Youth STEAM Outreach (YSO), I hope to share my passions with those who might not be as lucky as me, and those who don’t have the same resources as others. I hope that our work through this program will spark change in the communities we work in and spread the passion I have for STEAM.

Creative Coordinator

“Having access to STEM opportunities and education is something that I am incredibly fortunate to have, and something I will always be grateful for—but with the inequitable access that exists within our communities, many people do not have access to these opportunities. I joined the Youth STEAM Outreach Team to not only understand the issue that we are dealing with, but to also provide STEM opportunities and experiences to kids. I hope more than anything that our experiments and work help spark their interests and passions, as well as opening their perspective on the world around us.”

Experiments Coordinator

“One of my core memories was extracting cheek DNA using Gatorade at a DNA science camp in 5th grade. Throughout my life I have built on those summer camp and opportunistic STEAM experiences, opening doors for possible future STEAM careers. I still remember the free STEAM kits I checked out from the Aberdeen library and building simple machines using gears and plastic tubes. I joined YSO because I want all kids to have the experiences that paved my early youth. One opportunity can unlock doors and pave ways, and I hope to deliver that opportunity with our STEAM kits!”

Outreach Officer

“STEM subjects have always inspired me to create and try new things. From trying new experiments in school to creating and conducting my own research outside of school, I owe a lot to the opportunities and education I have received from STEM. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to these same opportunities which is why I joined YSO. I believe that giving back to those who do not have the same access and experiences in STEM will help foster a love for creativity and critical thinking within younger students. Not only will this benefit the community in the future, but it also creates an environment for innovation and discovery, even among those who may be disadvantaged.”

Title I Schools Program Coordinator

“Coming from an underrepresented background myself, I was fortunate to engage in STEAM at a young age via programs similar to YSO at my own Title I elementary school. Through interactive activities and with help from student mentors, I developed a love for STEAM and I want to do what I can to bring STEAM to other underprivileged kids. I hope to bring my passion for STEAM to Title I schools and inspire kids to pursue STEAM careers like I am now, as I understand from my own experience that fostering this experience at a young age is truly powerful”

Title I Schools Program Coordinator

“I have always loved giving back to my community, regardless of whether it’s volunteering at the local soup kitchen or tutoring students online. However, the reason why I wanted to join YSO is because I am extremely grateful for the resources that were made available to me from such a young age, and I believe every child deserves the same. STEM is a vast field and important advancements are being made every day. Exposing underprivileged children to STEM fields from a young age will help cultivate a passion for these subjects and also aide them in tackling the problems of the future.”

Shelter Initiative Lead

“When I was in elementary school, one of the biggest things that helped me develop an interest and passion for STEM was hands-on activities led by older students who I looked up to. One example is Thomas Jefferson High School's annual STEM activity fair, Techstravaganza. I remember going to the school in 6th grade and hearing wonderful explanations from TJ students about a plethora of STEM topics, ranging from aerospace to neuroscience. Now that I'm at the same age those students were when I went to Techstravaganza, I want to help younger kids have an amazing experience in STEM just as I did. At YSO, I'm happy to be a shelter initiative lead to do exactly that by reaching out to shelters and making fun STEM events for kids.”

Shelter Initiative Lead

“Throughout my life, I have consistently had a deep appreciation for various STEM subjects. Guided by exceptional teachers, my passion for STEM has grown, and I am eager to inspire others with the same enthusiasm that has been nurtured by my mentors and peers. This is one of the many reasons behind my involvement with Youth STEAM Outreach, as it provides me an opportunity for me to pass my passion for STEM to children. Once transitioning into high school, I have actively engaged in organizations such as Techstravaganza and Miracle Foundation. Miracle Foundation aims to support underprivileged children in India by providing them access to education. Furthermore, I have actively participated in events such as Techstravaganza, Biocode, and HackTJ, which has enriched my knowledge and skills. I would love to pass down the wonderful lessons and experiences that I have gained with the STEM related activities I have participated in to younger children and help them gain an amazing introduction to STEM.”

Hospital Initiative Lead

“Helping my community, volunteering, and giving back has been a passion of mine for years. It is so important for kids, teenagers, and adults alike to always keep learning about the world around them through STEAM. I have had the privilege to keep learning about my subject of interest, biology/medicine in high school. Becoming a hospital initiative leader, I am able to give kids who don't have the privilege that others do the ability to learn more about STEAM through experiments and fun, interactive kits that YSO creates! I joined YSO because I believe every child should have the opportunity to learn about how and why things are. Through YSO, I hope to foster a passion in children for the amazing fields of STEAM. I can't wait to see what's in store!”