Community Updates: February 2024
Our global community of youth here at Youth STEM 2030 are tackling the world’s biggest challenges through science, technology, engineering and maths, creating a real impact across all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Here’s how some of them have been changing the world lately…
Poppy Recognised in Young Women's Movement Scotland 30 Under 30
We are massively proud of 2021 Youth STEM Summit Design Team member and Youth STEM 2030 Core Team Volunteer Poppy Fairbairn who has been recognised in this year's 30 Under 30 list created by Young Women’s Movement Scotland!
The annual list showcases 30 inspiring young women and non-binary people in Scotland, who are making changes in their communities and wider society, and has previously featured singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé, Olympian Eilidh Doyle, and Harry Potter actress Katie Leung!
Poppy was instrumental in empowering 250+ youth globally as STEM changemakers in our 2021 Youth STEM Summit, and has since called for climate action at COP26 and continued to empower young people to use STEM for change through organising a STEM careers event in her school. Poppy is a true advocate for youth voices, bringing meaningful youth inclusion to every room where decisions are being made, including in her work with UNICEF UK, Young Scot, Scouts and the #iwill movement!
Huge congratulations Poppy!
Anika Named Prudential Emerging Visionaries Winner
Youth STEM Matters Team Alumni Anika Dugal has been named a winner of the 2024 Prudential Emerging Visionaries by Ashoka! She is one of 25 young people aged 14-18 from across the USA who have been recognised for their inspiring commitment to improving the lives of others.
Each of the Prudential Emerging Visionaries are leading innovative projects to address financial or societal challenges in their communities, with Anika making impact as Founder of “Girls for Algorithmic Justice,” a global grassroots coalition of young women acting through political action and advocacy to address the gender and racial disparities in artificial intelligence technologies. Each winner receives up to $15,000 in awards, an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey and coaching and skills development to help take their innovative solution to the next level.
Congratulations Anika - we can’t wait to see how this award supercharges the impact you are creating at Girls for Algorithmic Justice!
Rutendo Featured for International Day of Women & Girls in Science
Rutendo Kahari, a 2020 Youth STEM Summit Design Team member and Youth STEM Matters Team Alumni, has been featured by Girls in STEM Trust as one of 20 girls and young women recognised for this year’s International Day of Women & Girls in Science.
Rutendo features in the article “Girls of Impact: 20 Trailblazers Driving Change in STEM” alongside 19 other incredible girls & women in STEM in Zimbabwe. Congratulations on the well-deserved recognition Rutendo!
Jenna Becomes Utah DECA Technology Vice-President
Jenna Tran, a member of our Youth STEM Matters Team, has recently been selected as the 2024-2025 Utah DECA Technology Vice-President. Jenna has been involved in DECA, a high school marketing and entrepreneurship organization that is dedicated to developing and training the next generation of business and civic leaders, since freshman year of high school, and this new leadership role enables her to give back to create impact for others.
Over the next year, Jenna will work alongside the Utah DECA President to bring more resources and funding to our Utah DECA members, enabling other young people to benefit from the community, competitions, and personal growth. Good luck in your new role Jenna!
Chloe Participates in Transdisciplinary Research Incubator
Chloe Cannon, an alumni of the Youth STEM Matters Team who is now a PhD researcher, recently participated in a dynamic transdisciplinary Research Incubator, focussed on batteries for propulsion. Participants explored the challenges and opportunities of developing sustainable and efficient battery technologies for the future of mobility.
Discussions included identifying and developing new research challenges and proposals such as battery design and development, battery chemistry and materials, cost reduction and the lifecycle of batteries with the potential outputs extending to new projects, collaborations, proposals and papers.
We’re excited to see what’s next for Chloe and the field of more sustainable battery technologies!
Ruvarashe Wins Prizes at Zimbabwe Science Fair
Ruvarashe Moyo, an alumni of the Youth STEM Matters Team, recently participated in the 2024 Zimbabwe Science Fair and came away with not 1, not 2, but 3 awards for her project! Ruvarashe was awarded a Silver Medal in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Category, and a special Community Innovation Award which comes with a $500 cash prize and recognises a project that will better humanity and improve conditions in the local community. And, Ruvarashe was also selected to represent Zimbabwe at the 2024 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), taking place in Los Angeles, California, USA in May 2024.
Huge congratulations Ruvarashe, and good luck at ISEF!!
Ash Wins Pitching Competition
Nyasha (Ash) Mutembwa, a current participant in our Youth STEM Changemakers: Entrepreneurs for Impact programme, pitched her new business idea at the University of Dundee’s Venture Competition 2024, which formed part of the university’s recent Entrepreneurship Week. Ash was awarded a trophy and cash prize to spend on making her business idea a reality.
Congratulations Ash!
Kavya Publishes Book
Kavya Venkatesan, a member of the 2020 Youth STEM Summit Design Team and Youth STEM Matters Team, has recently published her book “How to Thrive in a Changing World?”!
The book shares Kavya’s take as a 16-year-old on how to lead a life of impact and growth in a changing world. Geared towards anyone who wants to adapt on their feet and own their future, everything in the book is based on Kavya’s own experiences, and helps readers learn how they can build their future with the right mindset and an all-rounded approach.
Have a project, achievement or update that you want to feature in future Youth STEM 2030 Community Updates? Email the details to Mhairi McCann: mhairi@youthstem2030.org
