A Young Innovator's Guide to STEM: 5 Steps To Problem Solving For Students, Educators, and Parents

by Gitanjali Rao

Overview

TIME Magazine’s 2020 “Kid of the Year”
Innovate and Create

Our generation is growing up in a time where we’re seeing problems that have never existed before. Older tools and technique don’t necessarily work anymore to solve such issues. We need a different approach that builds on the latest developments in science and takes an alternate path to innovation. Now more than ever, it’s time to come together to make a difference in society. But how exactly do we make that change?

Gitanjali Rao, innovator and America’s Top Young Scientist, brings to you an interactive experience to help immerse students in the process of innovation. Recognized by ABC, NBC, CBS, NPR, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Marvel’s Hero Project, the accomplished author builds on her experiences and provides a prescriptive step-by-step process for identifying problems and developing solutions. A Young Innovator’s Guide to STEM strives to impact students, teachers, and educators to adapt to a new learning style—one that can have a positive impact on society.

What do you say? Let’s come together and create an innovation movement!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781642938005
Publisher:	Post Hill Press
Publication date:	03/16/2021
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	619,367
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	12 - 16 Years

About the Author

Gitanjali Rao is an inventor, aspiring scientist, author, speaker, and active worldwide promoter for STEM. She was recognized as America’s Top Young Scientist and received a President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for her patented invention of a lead contamination detection tool. Gitanjali is also the inventor of Epione, a device for early diagnosis of prescription opioid addiction through genetic engineering, and Kindly, an anti-cyberbullying service that uses AI and Natural Language processing.

She was honored in Forbes “30 Under 30 in Science” in 2019 and as TIME’s “Top Young Innovator” and “Kid of the Year” for her innovations and STEM workshops she conducts globally, which has inspired over 75,000 students across six continents and forty-five countries in the last three years.

In 2021, she was appointed a UNICEF Youth Advocate because of her work in using science to solve social problems such as cyberbullying and developing solutions for environmental protection. She recently received a Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for her selfless service for the Kakuma refugee camp students in Kenya.

She will be attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology starting in fall 2023.

Table of Contents

Welcome ix

Introduction xi

My Journey xvi

Discover 1

Chapter 1 Science and Our Community-The Higher Purpose 3

Chapter 2 What Is Innovation? 10

Solve 15

Chapter 3 Step 1-Observing 17

Chapter 4 Step 2-Brainstorming 26

Chapter 5 Step 3-Research 34

Chapter 6 Step 4-Building 47

Chapter 7 Step 5-Communicating 74

Chapter 8 Failing and Iterating 82

Implement 87

Chapter 9 Spreading Awareness 89

Chapter 10 Competing with Your Idea 94

Conclusion 116

Lesson Plans 119

Resources 127

Acknowledgments 130

About the Author 132

Editorial Reviews

"Gitanjali has done a remarkable job breaking down the process of innovation—all the way from developing the curiosity and mindset of an innovator, to competing in global competitions. It is a very fun, fast read, with plenty of rich strategies and tips that are clearly drawing on her experiences as a young innovator, to competing in global competitions. It is a very fun, fast read, with plenty of rich strategies and tips that are clearly drawing on her experience as a young innovator. She doesn't shy away from sharing her hesitations at each step—brainstorming can feel unproductive, research can feel intimidating, teamwork can be slow—but for every roadblock, she provides. Well done, Gitanjali! I hope each and every kid in the world reads this book and realizes that nothing stops them from innovating and making the world better. What an awesome message!"

Tara Chklovski

"Gitanjali's book is a delightfully personal, practical, and inspiring how-to on STEM innovation and the magic that can transpire when kids are free to embrace failure, think bigger, and dare to make their creative visions a reality. Ever passionate, courageous, and kind, Gitanjali leads by example, sparking a movement for a better and more inclusive tomorrow."

Dr. Pardis Sabeti

"Gitanjali Rao is an inspiring innovator and motivational speaker about her experiences as America's Top Young Scientist. In her book, she provides an infrastructure to help students, teachers, and parents solve real-world problems in a way that can lead to real change. As a former educator, district leader, and STEM thought leader, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in becoming an innovator to make the world a better place."

Dr. Cindy Moss

"A Young Innovator's Guide to STEM is an engaging book that guides teachers, parents, and students through ideation, innovation, and problem-solving. Gitanjali relates her process for coming up with her innovations along with the practical processes, tools, and tips for aspiring innovators and creative thinkers who want to make their ideas a reality as teenagers."

Esther Wojcicki

"Gitanjali's thoughtful insights and step-by-step guidance provide practical lessons for creative thinkers and problem solvers to build crucial real-world skills for personal growth and impactful innovation. A role model herself, Gitanjali's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to empowering young minds inspires readers of all ages. Students, educators, and parents will learn how to think differently and work more effectively to solve the problems of tomorrow."

Karlie Kloss