Scholarships Awarded to Seven Student Volunteers in 2026

Braxton Kimura

University Attending: UC Berkeley
Major: Engineering
High School: Pinewood School

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

Braxton Kimura’s favorite moments as a volunteer were the ones when a concept suddenly clicked for a visitor, especially a younger child. He enjoyed explaining demonstrations, helping guests work through new ideas, and watching their excitement grow in real time.

“My favorite part of volunteering at The Tech Interactive has been those moments when the curiosity lightbulb goes off, especially with younger kids,” Braxton shared. “I still remember explaining a demo and seeing a child’s face light up when it finally made sense.”

Through volunteering, Braxton strengthened his ability to explain complex ideas in simple, engaging ways. He learned to adapt his approach for different visitors, build patience, and meet people where they are. The experience also deepened his interest in STEM, “not just as something to study, but something to share with others.”

Impact of Volunteering:

Volunteering at The Tech helped shape Braxton’s academic interests and future goals. As someone planning to major in STEM with an interest in AI, he found inspiration in being surrounded by innovation, emerging technologies, and curious people.

The environment pushed him to think more seriously about how he wants to use STEM in the future. As Braxton shared, being at The Tech made learning feel “natural and exciting,” and helped him see innovation not only as something to explore, but as something he can use to make an impact.

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

Clara Kerr’s favorite part of volunteering has been interacting with kids and helping them understand the science behind exhibits, from glowing petri dishes to Social Robots to the Jetpack Chair. She especially enjoys making each activity feel fun and approachable.

“I’ve gone through countless iterations of my Jetpack instructions spiel, but my current favorite begins with, ‘Alright astronaut(s), today your mission is...’” Clara shared. “It always gets a smile out of the guests, from toddlers to grown adults.”

During her time at The Tech, Clara learned that connecting with guests starts by seeing the museum through their eyes, especially for young visitors experiencing it for the first time. “My goal is to encourage that curiosity while nudging it in the direction that the exhibit is aiming for,” she said.

Impact of Volunteering:

Clara’s time at The Tech reinforced her long-standing interest in engineering while also keeping her curious about the broader world of STEAM. Volunteering helped her grow more comfortable interacting with people, teaching others, and contributing to a positive, collaborative atmosphere.

Although she once considered herself very introverted, Clara found that she became more energized through guest interactions. She said volunteering helped her “further develop my ability to collaborate, teach, and learn from others at The Tech,” skills she knows will be essential in any STEAM field.

Clara Kerr

University Attending: Johns Hopkins University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
High School: The Athenian School

Alison Liu

University Attending: UC Berkeley
Major: Computer Science
High School: Cupertino High School

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

While volunteering at Social Robots, Alison Liu loved helping young visitors discover how circuits work. During one busy field trip day, she asked a group of elementary schoolers why an LED light would not turn on. When they realized the circuit was missing a wire, and then watched it work, their excitement was unforgettable.

“As the kids left, still talking excitedly among themselves, I overheard one student exclaim, ‘I want to be an engineer when I grow up!’” Alison shared. “After hearing that, I couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear for the rest of the day.”

For Alison, volunteering at The Tech showed her that small moments can have a big impact. She learned that volunteers can do more than guide guests through exhibits, they can help spark a child’s first interest in engineering.

Impact of Volunteering:

Volunteering at The Tech helped Alison discover a deeper passion for technology and computer science. Being surrounded by exhibits that show the growing possibilities of STEM, from Living Colors Lab to Dream Garden, helped her imagine how computer science can be applied across fields like biology and medicine.

Her time as a volunteer also strengthened her interest in education. Alison said volunteering gave her “a sense of fulfillment and motivation centered around education,” and she hopes to continue that work as a teaching assistant in college and as a tutor supporting high school students in STEM classes.

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

Angela Mendoza Dorantes’ favorite part of volunteering was connecting with guests from different backgrounds and helping create a welcoming experience for visitors. During the summer, she worked with many youth field trip groups, which reminded her of her own visits to The Tech as a child.

“It was a nourishing experience, as if I was doing a service to my inner child by being able to provide a welcoming, positive, and innovative experience to all the field trip groups we welcomed throughout the summer,” Angela shared.

Her time at The Tech reinforced a belief at the heart of the museum’s work: “Anyone can become an innovator if given the right resources and support.”

Impact of Volunteering:

Angela’s volunteer experience at The Tech helped prepare her for her current volunteer role at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley by strengthening her teamwork, coordination, and flexibility. Most importantly, she said her time at The Tech “fueled my love for STEM” and supported her goal of pursuing a STEM career.

Angela’s interest in biology began with a childhood love of animals and nature, and has since grown through animal shelter work, research, and field study. She hopes to become a veterinarian specializing in wildlife and conservation medicine, combining hands-on animal care, scientific discovery, and environmental stewardship to protect biodiversity and improve the lives of animals and ecosystems.

Angela Mendoza Durantes

University Attending: UC Berkeley
Major: Molecular Environmental Biology
High School: Evergreen Valley High School

Minh-Phuong Nguyen

University Attending: UC Berkeley
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
High School: Oak Grove High School

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

Minh-Phuong Nguyen’s favorite part of volunteering has been seeing guests become inspired, especially at the Jetpack Chair. She enjoyed guiding visitors through the full experience and watching their confidence and curiosity grow, sometimes within just a few moments.

“I have realized that a person’s whole demeanor can change in a second,” Minh-Phuong shared. “Occasionally, teenagers visit with their families and seem uninterested at first. They are reluctant to ride the chair, but after I explain to them how to use it and help them get started, I can see their curiosity grow in real time.”

For Minh-Phuong, the Jetpack Chair showed that STEM can inspire people of every age, background, and ability. One especially meaningful moment came when she helped a man in a wheelchair who was unsure whether he would be able to control the chair. After she guided him through the mission, “the joy on his face was unforgettable.”

Through volunteering, she learned that “inspiration in STEM is not limited by age, background, or ability.”

Impact of Volunteering:

Volunteering at The Tech has helped Minh-Phuong realize how much she enjoys inspiring younger generations. The experience felt like a full-circle moment because she visited The Tech as a child, where activities like Living Colors Lab helped open her eyes to biology. Now, she gets to help children who remind her of her younger self.

Her volunteer work has also reinforced her academic and career path. Minh-Phuong will study molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley, and she said her time at The Tech helped her realize that she loves lab work and “helping kids who were just like me.” Long term, she hopes to become a pediatrician and create the same kind of reassurance, care, and excitement for her future patients that she offers visitors at The Tech.

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

Naira Niyamathullah’s favorite parts of volunteering have been teaching guests about electronics at Social Robots and building meaningful connections with The Tech’s staff. Even during quieter shifts, she valued the conversations that made The Tech feel less like a workplace and more like a community.

“Every time I volunteer, I always try to schedule at least one part of my shift at the Social Robots exhibit,” Naira shared. “It’s my favorite exhibit because I get to teach others about electronics, something I’m deeply passionate about.”

She also discovered an unexpected love for the Anatomage Table, where she found herself learning something new every shift. Volunteering helped Naira practice explaining concepts clearly, especially to children. “I’ve found that the best way to explain concepts, especially to children, is to let them try things themselves,” she said.

Through both exhibits, Naira learned to help guests understand how each part works instead of simply memorizing steps, so they leave with “the confidence to keep exploring and asking questions.”

Impact of Volunteering:

Volunteering at The Tech helped Naira discover her passion at the intersection of electronics and sustainability. During breaks, she often visited Solve for Earth, where she was inspired by people around the world working to protect the planet. That experience helped motivate her interest in power electronics and sustainable energy systems.

Naira also realized how much she enjoys teaching others, especially when she sees kids get excited about learning something new. She plans to continue that work at UC San Diego through Youth Empowerment in Science, or Y.E.S., which provides STEM education opportunities to students in underrepresented areas of San Diego.

Her experience at The Tech also opened an unexpected door to history. After conversations with staff members, including Leigh, Naira discovered that history “extends far beyond what is typically taught in school,” inspiring her to take history courses at UC San Diego as part of her area studies.

Naira Niyamathullah

University Attending: UC San Diego
Major: Computer Engineering
High School: Milpitas High School

Hannah Washington

University Attending: University of Vermont
Major: Neuroscience
High School: Summerville High School

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

Hannah Washington’s favorite part of volunteering was sharing what she knew with visitors in the BODY WORLDS exhibit. She especially enjoyed seeing younger visitors become interested when she shared fun or unexpected facts.

“I enjoyed seeing the interest on the visitors’ faces when I would tell them fun/weird facts, especially when it comes to the younger visitors,” Hannah shared.

Through those conversations, Hannah learned how to communicate science clearly to people who might not have prior knowledge of the topic. Her volunteer experience helped her practice making complex information more accessible and engaging for guests.

Impact of Volunteering:

Science has always been an important part of Hannah’s life, and volunteering at The Tech gave her a place to share that passion with others. She said that at The Tech, she got to do one of the things she loves most: “sharing my scientific knowledge with others.”

That experience connects directly to her future goals. Hannah plans to become a neurogeneticist, where she hopes to continue building knowledge, conducting research, and sharing scientific discoveries with the wider world.