Break the cycle of poverty through education

Liberty Partnership Program

Tiny Scientist Program

The Details

Program Goal

SSF is dedicated to increasing access to STEM education for all. The goal of the Tiny Scientist Program is to introduce various science topics in a fun, hands on approach for younger students.

Participant Break Down

12 students between 2nd – 5th grade completed Tiny Scientist Program

Tiny Scientist Coach

Ansh Gupta

Shreya is a high school senior from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is very passionate about science outreach and education. Shreya holds leadership positions in numerous science organizations at school, and also founded a STEM club at a local elementary school, where she created and taught lessons to third through fifth graders! Aside from this, she enjoys singing and playing the piano and cello.

Camp Overview

DAY 1-2

Introduction to Tiny Scientist Program. Students learned about the human brain’s functions and created a model for parts of the brain using clay.

DAY 3

Students learned about the lung functions and created a working lung model for the lab portion.

DAY 4

Students learned about DNA. For the lab portion, students created a candy DNA model representing the 4 nucleotides.

DAY 5

Students learned about plant life. For the lab portion, students conducted walking water experiment that models capillary action.

DAY 6

Students learned about gases and chemical reactions. For the lab portion, students created a chemical reaction!

Students in Action

Outcomes

Students worked individually and in partners to create various models and conduct experiments

Students presented these models to their instructors and SSF Leaders

More than $200 distributed to participants in rewards and incentives

Students leave camp encouraged to continue questioning and exploring the wonders of science.

Certificates award to all students for completion of the program

A message from the Coach

“I had a wonderful experience with Tiny Scientists and am grateful for the opportunity. Crafting lessons, planning experiments, and ultimately sharing them with the students was very rewarding.”
Shreya Sankar
Tiny Scientist Coach

Thank You Organizers!

Shreya Sankar, Suzelle Zamor, Allison Colombo, Sylvia Stewart, Melissa Hurtado, Latha Nara, Suzelle Zamor, Allison Colombo Prakruthi Raghavendra, Mahima Natarajan, Mariel Geron, Melissa Hurtado, Latha Nara

Board Member

Jayashree Sundaresan

Jayashree Sundaresan is a Senior Technology leader with 24+ years of experience. A servant leader at heart, she strongly believes in creating positive impact to transform people beyond who they think they are and what they think they can achieve. Jayashree is very passionate about empowering women, guiding children, giving back to society and focusing on wellness as a priority. She is also a die-hard sports enthusiast and a singer. She thoroughly enjoys coaching & mentoring people to share and learn. Jayashree holds a Bachelors degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering and an MBA from Santa Clara University, USA.

“I am thrilled to join the Board of Directors at SSF and impact lives by helping with the education of underprivileged, deserving, bright, and passionate students. The vision and mission of SSF aims to pull families out of generational poverty through the skill building, mentoring, training and sponsorship of scholars. This energises me and resonates with my values and beliefs to lead change in communities through working with children, educating them and helping them gain confidence, perspective and a lifelong desire to be a force of positive impact.”

Advisor & Board Observer

Uma Meyyappan

SVP, Head of Digital Innovation, LPL Financial

“Uma is an Innovation Technology Executive with over 20 years of experience in the Financial services industry where she accelerates business value with the use of emerging technology.

Uma’s extensive research in financial technologies such as digital payments, biometrics, augmented reality, and Internet of Things (IoT) has resulted in over 35 issued US patents to her name.

Uma is a Founding LP in Neythri Futures Fund and Founding circle member in Neythri, an organization that promotes south asian women. Being a strong believer of child literacy and education Uma is delighted to assist Shooting Stars Foundation eradicate generational poverty through STEM education.”

Board Member

Kevin Lee

Program Manager at NVIDIA

“Kevin has over 10 years experience in leadership roles in the Finance and Technology sectors. Prior to joining NVIDIA, Kevin taught at University of California, Berkeley and helped the school transition from in-person learning to online learning.

Kevin is passionate about learning, teaching, and fostering innovation from future generations. Having witnessed first-hand the positive impact education can have on his students’ career prospects, Kevin is excited to contribute to Shooting Stars Foundation and its mission to break the cycle of poverty through STEM education. “

Advisor & Board Observer

Brian McCann

President, Security Solutions at Neustar, Inc.

“High-energy business leader with passion for driving growth in organizations and cyber security technologies – and education foundations!

SSF’s founder and mission are rooted in empowering others to take control to improve their future. STEM education is a proven and scalable path to break generational poverty.”

Board Member

Dawna Taylor

Regional Director with the Global Services Department for Cognia,

“Dawna L. Taylor is the Regional Director with the Global Services Department for Cognia, the largest School Improvement organization globally. Before joining Cognia, Ms. Taylor served as the Assistant Vice President of K-12 programs for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. She also led, designed, and oversaw an out-of-school STEM program for middle and high school students in Baltimore, MD, and Vicksburg, MS. She has been an elementary teacher, reading specialist, assistant principal, and principal in traditional public schools and charter schools.

Ms. Taylor served as Director of Blended Learning Programs for one of the nation’s largest public cyber schools. Her professional expertise is in developing, managing, and consulting for charter schools and STEM Outreach programs across the country. Ms. Taylor has a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida A&M University in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Supervision, and Administration from Jones International University. She is the proud mother of two adult children, Raleigh and Morgan.”