Local teen starts nonprofit to spread science exposure

Posted by Meghan Haas on February 9th, 2017

BIG RAPIDS A new nonprofit organization in the area helps to connect people
interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with experts from
around the country.

Founded in November by Big Rapids High

School junior Arya Rao, and with the help of
BRHS science teachers Susan McCullen and
Tyler ODell, The Science Squad is dedicated to
promoting scientific inquiry and the pursuit of
STEM careers in west Michigan.

A free lecture series, found on The Science

Squads YouTube channel, will be from 7 to 8
p.m. on Mondays and will feature different
university professors. The first featured
professor is Anil Venkatesh, who is currently
researching the applications of physical
science to music theory. During his
presentation, he will present his ideas on music
theory in a scientific light, Rao said.
NEW NONPROFIT: Big Rapids High School student
Arya Rao will be working to bring science,
technology, engineering and mathematics
professionals from around the U.S. to local
residents as part of her new nonprofit
organization. (Courtesy photo)

I started the nonprofit due to a relative lack of scientific exposure for area high school
students, Rao said. On Feb. 13, our lecture series will begin, which is a great resource
for anyone in the community, regardless of age or background in science. Our goal is to
engage the youth of west Michigan in activities that will better prepare them for the
scientific and technological advances that loom before us.

The next speakers in the series are Paul Filio on Feb. 20, and Chris Schonbaum on Feb.
27.

Arya is an outstanding young woman and she has always wanted to help other students,
McCulluen said. She has made contacts with professors from all over the U.S. and she
made that available to students here so any of our students can start viewing those. So
students are getting real-life information from the people who are doing the research and
understanding what is going on.
When Rao approached McCullen about the nonprofit in the fall, McCullen joined right
away.

Of course, I was going to say yes,' McCullen said. This is a student who is going out
and going beyond and trying to better society, trying to give kids in this area opportunities
they dont have in other ways. So I joined her and help her out.

Arya runs it, she designs it all, but because she is only 15, we need to have adults on the
board to oversee whats going on. Shes going to continue this long-term. Im proud of
her, shes an outstanding young woman. Shes done so much with her life already and
come so far and to give back to society, to give back to this school and other schools, is
very unique. You dont see that in most students and for her to do that is wonderful.

McCullen said even with Raos graduation being a year away, there is no concern about
the fate of the nonprofit. As part of the long-term plans for The Science Squad, Rao said
there will be a science fair on April 15, at Ferris State University.

It will be the first science fair for area high school students since BRHS stopped hosting
theirs many years ago, Rao said. The competition is open to middle and high school
students, with a watered-down version for those under the age of 12.

The science fair, known as the Mecosta Osceola Science Symposium, is a data-collecting
event, with subtle emphasis on hard science, she said, as the only requirement for
projects is to analyze data.

We accept, and strongly encourage, science projects that analyze politics, sports,
psychology and anything that data can be collected on, Rao said. The purpose of this is
to encourage deep consideration of topics of interest so youth in Mecosta and Osceola
can better evaluate their career options.

Students should be excited about STEM in particular because of its versatility. You dont
have to be a doctor or a physicist to be involved in the scientist. Many scientists use
science as a tool to explore their topics of interest. I implore everyone to, at the very least,
learn the basics of science and see how they can applied to what you are interested in. A
more-educated community will certainly bring about positive change in every one of our
towns industries.

For more information on The Science Squad, or to register for the free lecture sessions,
visit thescisquad.weebly.com.

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