We are best friends, and we also happen to love all things STEM. Our STEM journey began when we started participating in the Eden Prairie Science Fair in 1st grade. As we grew older, we began to build relationships with professors from universities and the Mayo Clinic by partnering with each other on challenging research projects. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to learn so much about the world around us through great resources.
In 2019, when our local science fair was put on hold due to lack of interest and funding, we started a mission to bring it back to our community. We initiated and successfully organized the 2021 Eden Prairie Science Fair for elementary and middle school students with support from Community education staff. With one-on-one mentoring, Q&A Sessions, and information packets, we guided the students through the process of conducting a science experiment from start to finish. However, we realized that the privileges students in our community have may not be the same for others. Encouraging young kids motivated us to start a nonprofit foundation to promote STEM opportunities for students of all backgrounds.
And that was the birth of ionSTEM.
Hi, I’m Abi! I enjoy working with little kids through summer camps, especially inspiring them to be curious about learning. In mentoring young elementary and middle school girls for their science fair projects, I also learned what a difference I could make in their mindset about women in STEM. Through ionSTEM, I would like to bring the same coaching and guidance to other kids that my mentors have provided me in the past. At school, I’m actively involved in Concert Orchestra, Youth in Government, and Science Olympiad. I like to play the piano for fun.
Hey there, I’m Harini! My passions in life surround science, music, and writing. Now these may seem disconnected, but there’s a common thread: creativity and feeling. I believe that STEM is more than just technical or logistic; it stimulates your inner emotions and challenges both your mind and heart. Through ionSTEM, I look forward to engaging more youth in seeing these connections and creating joy around the learning. I am also a Speech captain, journalist, and amateur vocalist.
2021-22
Research with mentor from US Department of Agriculture collocated at University of Minnesota, worked on a project titled, “Secure the manure: Utilizing sequential fiber methods to assess the effect of manure on forage nutritive value of Medicago sativa”.
Awards
2020-21
Research with mentors from University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic, worked on a project titled, “Predicting compensatory exercise behaviors from anxiety symptomatology in patients with eating disorders”.
Awards
2019-20
Research with mentors from University of St. Thomas and University of Minnesota, worked on a project titled, “A computational analysis of the effects of Dreissena polymorpha on the ecological integrity of Minnesota lakes”.
Awards
2019
Target Women in Science & Technology (TWIST) EPIC Award Winners. The TWIST EPIC Awards recognize and honor 25 high school girls from state for their dedication to STEM. Certificate awarded by Target CIO.
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