Meet Alumni:

Shrey Arora

2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge Finalist
2026 Alumni Grant Recipient

Shrey was awarded the Science in Your Community Grant for his work on “Little Innovators,” a hands-on STEM program that introduces elementary school students to science, technology, and innovation through interactive workshops that build confidence, curiosity, and creativity.

About their Project

Little Innovators is a hands-on STEM program designed for elementary aged students to gain exposure and to explore science, technology, engineering, and innovation in a fun and interactive way. The program focuses on building confidence, curiosity, and interest through interactive workshops rather than traditional lectures. By providing these workshops and more, Little Innovators creates an encouraging community for STEM and an environment where young innovators can discover their potential.

What was the inspiration behind your project?

My project grew out of my own childhood experiences with STEM. I noticed that STEM is typically taught in lecture-heavy ways rather than through hands-on exploration and creativity. I realized that for many students in my community STEM can start to feel difficult or out of reach rather than exciting. This realization inspired me to create Little Innovators — a program designed to focus on making STEM more interactive and welcoming through hands-on workshops that help students explore and build confidence as they learn.