Scholarships Awarded to Six Student Volunteers in 2025

Vijay Tirumalai

School: University of Michigan
Major: Computer Engineering

Favorite Tech Interactive Exhibit: The Anatomage Table

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

During my time at The Tech Interactive, I was an Exhibit Interpreter, which included: working with Stanford Medicine students to teach children/adults about bioengineering using algae, modeling chromosomes/inheritance, and bacteria, engaging visitors in the Living Colors lab, and teaching bacterial transformation to visitors in experiments with E.coli. The entire experience was truly my favorite part of volunteering at The Tech Interactive. Not only did I polish my own knowledge, gaining valuable education about biotechnological techniques, I was also actively participating in encouraging science and the pursuit of knowledge for a younger generation. My interactions with the public were grounding experiences for me as a future engineer in understanding science using language that can be shared, such as colors and shapes, with everyone, whether or not their interest is science. I was able to encourage the appreciation of science and the scientific process, sparking curiosity in scientific solutions to human problems. My time as a volunteer at The Tech Interactive has been one of the most invaluable experiences of my life and one that I know has shaped my interest in science and engineering.

Impact of Volunteering:

From my early beginnings at The Tech as a young 4th-grader putting together a team (the Purple Pineapples) for The Tech Challenge to my engineering journey currently at University of Michigan, The Tech Interactive plays an integral role in my current and future career aspirations. My educational goals are now taking me back to my tinkering with living colors lab which taught me the importance of making science/engineering accessible to all people. The social robots exhibit sparked my interest in computer engineering/human computer interactions. In the Anatomage 3D exhibits, teaching user accessible technology, where visitors can virtually dissect, explore and learn about human anatomy. All these technologies exist because of science, engineering and the arts and The Tech Interactive makes this accessible to everyone. Though I am still defining my career goals, I know that I will be majoring with an engineering degree, all because The Tech influenced a curious 4th-grader to think, create, and inspire solutions to make this world a better place.

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

Growing up, my parents brought me to the Tech Interactive regularly. I loved being immersed in activities like growing bacteria, engineering planes, and competing in The Tech Challenge. This cultivated my childhood interest in STEM.

Therefore, freshman year, I immediately applied to the museum's volunteer program. However, the uncertainty of interacting with guests was intimidating: I imagined myself drawing blanks when asked questions and failing to meet others’ expectations.

The training process was demanding. I attended training and shadowed experienced volunteers and employees, mimicking them while interacting with guests. My peers and mentors were supportive, cheering me on as I presented and worked through complex situations. However, while interacting with all types of visitors, from children to field experts, I’d frequently run into my worst-case scenario of being asked a question that stumped me. I’d stutter, as if my brain froze, and freeze with a smile. But I’d research the answers, so that I’d be prepared the next time guests asked the same questions. My confidence developed, and when someone asked me a question I didn’t know the answer to, I’d circle the conversation into a “let’s look this up together!” activity to create an adventure for us to share.

From years of working with guests at The Tech Interactive, I’ve learned to apply different teaching techniques to connect with people of all ages and learning styles. I’ll never forget a young girl who ran up to me with a thank-you card after teaching her about anatomy using the Anatomage, saying that I motivated her interest in becoming a doctor. Whether working with children in Living Colors or explaining modern advancements to older generations, I have been incredibly fulfilled knowing that I can influence others’ goals and help spread knowledge and inspiration to my community and others.

Impact of Volunteering:

My volunteer time at The Tech Interactive has cemented my interest in STEM, and has pushed me to explore its different directions. I’ve always enjoyed learning about various STEM fun facts, and I have found lots of fun and satisfaction in physics–the realm where I can connect math to new scientific discoveries.

While volunteering and explaining exhibits to guests, I’ve engaged in conversations with individuals from various industries and fields, inspiring me with the way their respective fields can impact the world on an individual and whole scale. From discussions on data analysis to discussions on education, it’s been incredibly fascinating to see how so many different disciplines can intertwine to improve the wellbeing of the planet and human lives.

Meeting so many dedicated and driven individuals at The Tech has inspired me to not only pursue STEM, but to also learn more about other people’s experiences with it. A conversation with another volunteer at the Tech regarding their experience in the STEM field inspired me to take initiative with mine–in which I fostered connections with individuals and groups in areas that I was interested in. Each connection opened up a new opportunity for me, and today, I conduct research in accelerator physics, with the guidance of industry professionals whom I hesitantly cold-emailed just a year ago.

I hope to pursue my undergraduate degrees in Physics and Applied Mathematics and continue learning in a pHD program. I hope to be able to make discoveries that can further drive technology, and work with other individuals to bring benefits directly to the population. I’m not sure if I want to pursue a research career or a more industrial career at the moment, but I am confident my next few years at UC Berkeley will allow me to further explore paths in the world of technology.

Abby Zhou

School: UC Berkeley
Major: Physics & Applied Math

Favorite Tech Interactive Exhibit: Anatomage Table

Diya Pillai

School: University of Oxford, England
Major: Psychology

Favorite Tech Interactive Exhibit: Body Worlds

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

My favorite part of volunteering at The Tech Interactive is that it is a customer-facing role. There's something really enjoyable about being able to interact with other people, total strangers, even if it's just for brief snippets of time, that I really value when I volunteer. This is something I don't get from my other volunteering roles, which are mostly solo endeavors. This is why I've enjoyed my volunteer time at The Tech for so long. At The Tech, I have the opportunity to contribute to a positive experience for any individual or family that walks in. That opportunity is one I value highly. Although my conversations with guests tend to be short, I've learned that there are connections to be made even within these brief interactions.

But it's not just with guests that I've been able to make connections during my time at The Tech. Usually, I'm also able to converse with other volunteers and employees stationed close to me, and I've really enjoyed learning their stories, backgrounds, hobbies, and interests. At The Tech, I've been able to develop my ability to interact and socialize with so many different people from so many walks of life, and I know this is a skill I will continue to take with me later in life.

Impact of Volunteering:

As previously mentioned, human interaction is my favorite part of volunteering at The Tech. It is that very human interaction that I seek to further study and understand in college through my major of psychology. I am drawn to psychology because of its pervasive nature everywhere I look. Inexplicable behaviors are intriguing to observe in my friends, family, and strangers, even if it is just in the moment of handing a guest their tickets back. The Tech has given me a place to freely observe habits and behaviors in hundreds and hundreds of people, and it's only deepened my interest in psychology. If the behaviors I was informally observing were already so varied and diverse, what did that mean about the future research I could conduct in the same field? Of course, it could only mean that there was so much more to explore. The excitement I already had for the subject only manages to compound after my experiences at The Tech.

After receiving my undergraduate degree, I am already planning on continuing my study in the years that follow; I'm just currently not sure what path is most likely for me yet. Whether it is research or law school, academia or med school, I know that I want to continue working with people. The Tech has taught me that it is something I enjoy, and I am looking forward to seeing how my interactions with others will develop over time.

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

My favorite part about volunteering at The Tech Interactive was learning how to be independent and flexible. As a young junior who couldn’t even drive yet, coming to The Tech and being responsible for facilitating exhibits made me feel like a grown-up with a job. For instance, assisting frequently in the Living Colors Lab and eventually even being trusted enough to close the lab by myself showed me how, with attention to detail, I am capable of taking on complicated tasks by myself and that my commitment had the potential to help me grow and take on new opportunities.

Additionally, various situations I encountered at The Tech taught me to think on my feet. For instance, one time while presenting the Anatomage Table, a visually-impaired student visited the table. While I had adjusted my usual spiel before for various age groups, the Anatomage tends to be a very visual experience, and that would not be useful in this situation. Imagining the student’s perspective, I realized that while physical descriptions wouldn’t be helpful, trying to offer more physiological explanations would be more relatable to them. As a result, I narrated the animation of the respiratory system by describing how the heart functions and then explained that the table was displaying this process. Navigating through various situations at The Tech has instilled diligence in me and has empowered me to pursue harder avenues.

Impact of Volunteering:

I was first introduced to the concept of “Nature vs. Nurture” in my AP Biology class. This debate questions what shapes us: our biological makeup or our lifestyle choices? I noticed that Biology is usually analyzed either through a “Nature” or “Nurture” lens, but never both. I wondered, “What if we combined Nature and Nurture?”

Enter Epigenetics, the study of how our surroundings affect which portions of our genome are expressed. Based on our lifestyles, patterns of methyl tags (which close DNA) and acetyl tags (which open DNA) are altered. I appreciated how Epigenetics pushed the boundaries of the “Nature vs. Nurture” debate and enabled the coexistence of both lenses.

Apart from Epigenetics, my time at The Tech allowed me to explore this debate through anatomy. Specifically, working with the Anatomage gave me this opportunity. When I wasn't presenting this device to visitors, I used to immerse myself in the encyclopedias located next to the table and map out the structures I read about. One of the cases that I explored was of the woman who had suffered from gastric cancer, resulting in a hole in her stomach. What I found especially fascinating was how, in response to the hole, her body restructured itself by developing a type of attachment called a fistula. I was intrigued by the interplay of the “Nature” aspect of anatomy, and the “Nurture” aspect of smoking (a lifestyle choice) and how they intersected to shape her body’s reaction, displaying their joint potential to determine the trajectory of our lives.

Realizing the ubiquitous presence of the “Nature vs. Nurture” debate in Biology, I’ve wished to take my interest further. As I embark on my journey in Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley in the Fall, I hope to research the “Nature vs. Nurture” debate and unite both sides to become “Nature & Nurture.”

Fiona Sahoo

School: UC Berkeley
Major: Molecular & Cell Biology

Favorite Tech Interactive Exhibit: Body Worlds

Ramana Sundaram

School: Boston University
Major: Finance

Favorite Tech Interactive Exhibit: Body Worlds

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

As an exhibit interpreter, I’ve had the chance to break down complex topics, from bioengineering to social robotics, for curious minds, whether it’s a young child or an adult. One moment that stands out was when a young boy at the Design Studio kept repeating an experiment, asking thoughtful questions until he reached his “aha” moment. His excitement reignited my own curiosity and reminded me why I love teaching and learning. Over more than 200 hours of volunteering, I’ve not only grown in my ability to communicate science effectively, but also learned the power of patience, empathy, and inspiring others. This experience continues to motivate me to keep learning and sharing knowledge with future generations.

Impact of Volunteering:

Volunteering at The Tech Interactive has helped shape my interest in education, technology, and communication.
As an exhibit interpreter, I enjoy explaining science to people of all ages and inspiring curiosity. That experience reminded me how much I love teaching and learning.

Inspired by a story of a soccer player’s generosity, I became a Special Olympics soccer coach. Working with athletes of all ages taught me patience, inclusion, and the joy of giving.
I also tutor underprivileged students in math and teach at Breakthrough Silicon Valley.

These experiences have helped me grow into someone who wants to make a difference through education and tech. They’ve shown me how important it is to connect with others and spark confidence. My time at The Tech continues to inspire my goals and passion for creating meaningful change.

Favorite Part of Volunteering:

My curiosity and sense of creativity and innovation have always been an integral part of who I am, and it was these same qualities which first attracted me towards volunteering at The Tech Interactive. Starting off last summer, I was eager to allow my mind to feed on the treasure trove of fascinations at The Tech. From making my way upstairs and participating in Living Colors Lab and helping out at pop-up stations to adventuring downstairs and supervising over at Social Robots, Tech Studio, and the Jetpack station, I was eager to gain experience volunteering at a place that visualized the STEM concepts that I am passionate about and have always wanted to pursue a career in. However, as I became more and more familiar with The Tech, I realized that it wasn’t just the known attractions that brought me joy working there, but rather, it was the others who I could experience that joy with.

From the very first day of orientation, I met so many amazing and hardworking people; other volunteers who (like me) were eager to help out and gain knowledge from volunteering at The Tech. My first shift, I was anxious that I wouldn’t “fit in,” with the other volunteers and staff members, however that fear dissipated as soon as I stepped into the VIP Room, and was instantly greeted by welcoming sounds of laughter and conversation. Volunteers of all walks of life coming together, off all differences, coming together and supporting one another. As I reached out to other people, I found myself fitting in more and more into the puzzle of The Tech Interactive community.

As I continued volunteering more and more frequently, I became more and more observant around me. Even at home as I am attempting to explain a math problem to my little sister, I have noticed myself in a more patient and understanding light, qualities I have gained throughout my volunteer experience as I repeatedly helped several kids and their parents at stations like Living Colors Lab and Social Robots. As I helped other newer volunteers out and trained them in a few stations, I have gained a spark of confidence that has allowed me to take on more leadership positions within my school. But most of all, I have learnt that it is okay to make mistakes and to ask others for help. As a nervous and, often, shy person, I struggle to ask for help sometimes, especially when I am in an unfamiliar place and situation. However, by learning how to best help The Tech run smoothly from other volunteers and staff members, I was able to further break out of the shell of anxiety and uncertainty that I was trapped in

As I started to build a strong bond with the staff, I also simultaneously began to reach out to the visitors that we had as well. A truly eye-opening moment was during my time stationed at Imagination Playground, when a child came up to me, wanting to play with the blocks I had been facilitating. As I watched him play, digging into the recesses of his imagination to conjure up whatever he could with the foam blocks, my childhood sense of ingenuity and creativity sparked up, and I joined in helping him constructing a model of a house which he could go inside of, along with a slide exit. His mother, noticing my keen interest in helping her son, asked me if I was an adult worker here. After I explained that I was a highschool volunteer, her eyes widened, and she expressed how she wished her son would also come back to The Tech Interactive to volunteer and benefit from an experience that would not only expose him to different STEM related concepts, but also to help others explore discover how one’s imagination could open up a world full of endless possibilities. As he finished his newly constructed house, he raced over to where I was, and urged me to take a look.

That moment truly opened up how volunteering at The Tech has not only changed my life for the better, but has also allowed me to make an impact on others and to help them pursue their own dreams. Although I had originally come for the experience of volunteering at The Tech, it was ultimately the people who I met who made me want to stay.

Impact of Volunteering:

From a young age, I’ve been deeply fascinated by the intersection of creativity and science. I devoured books and TV shows about space, dreaming of one day becoming an astronaut. So, when I began volunteering at The Tech Interactive, I was especially excited to be stationed at the Jetpack exhibit for my very first shift. As I walked into the calming, immersive space, a sense of serenity and excitement would wash over me. Sitting in the chair, waiting for visitors to arrive, I often gazed up at the “stars” above, imagining myself as the astronaut floating on the wall. It felt like stepping into a dream that reflected exactly what I hoped to become.

Each time families approached the Jetpack station, my eyes were drawn to the children eagerly projecting their faces onto the astronaut. Watching their delight, I couldn’t help but see a reflection of my own childhood wonder, still very much alive. In those moments, I imagined myself in their place, exploring the vastness of space and fulfilling the dreams I’ve held onto for so long.

One of the most powerful sources of inspiration during my time at The Tech has been the voice recording at the Jetpack station. Repeating facts about the planets and the universe throughout the day, the narration never lost its magic. No matter how many times I heard the same explanations, I remained in awe of how much there is still to discover. Volunteering at The Tech hasn’t just helped me visualize my dream of becoming an astronaut more clearly, it has reignited and deepened my commitment to it. The excitement I see in others fuels my determination to work hard and persevere, knowing that one day I might be the one venturing into the stars.

Being a part of The Tech Interactive brings me joy every single day. But more than that, my experience has motivated me not just to dream about the future, but to take action in the present. I want to continue studying and learning with the same enthusiasm I see in the young visitors who light up when they experience science firsthand. One day, I hope to be the voice that narrates the wonders of our universe in the Jetpack section, acting as an inspiration for others like me to chase after their dreams, just like I am doing now.

Rathi Candadai

School: University of Washington, Seattle Campus
Major: Chemistry

Favorite Tech Interactive Exhibit: Jetpack Chair