Young Social Impact Heroes: Why and How Saanvi Dogra Of Science Nexus Is Helping To Change Our World
…Young people should always consider making a positive impact on our society because it gives them a sense of purpose. Most people don’t realize their ability to effect change in their environment. Even small actions can have a significant and inspiring impact on someone else. When individuals get involved in volunteer service, they not only provide valuable assistance to those they are helping but also become more confident, skilled, and grow as individuals. Volunteering often provides invaluable experience in interacting with others, being exposed to different perspectives, and developing leadership skills…
As part of my series about young people who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Saanvi Dogra
Saanvi Dogra is a junior at Del Norte High School who been greatly involved in science competitions throughout her life. After seeing the increasing gap in scientific advancement in underserved communities, she became dedicated to making science education more inclusive and accessible to everyone. As a result, she started the global non-profit organization Science Nexus. Science Nexus establishes community-centric learning hubs run by local volunteers to spark curiosity and inspire critical thinking using low-cost materials, empowering the next generation of innovators.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
Born and raised in San Diego, California, I am the child of first-generation immigrants from India. From a young age, I’ve always had a passion for science. My journey into the world of science began during elementary school when I participated in my first science fair. My project investigated the melting times of differently shaped ice pieces. I spent weeks meticulously researching, designing an experiment, creating data tables, and putting it all together on a display board. I felt immensely proud of my accomplishments. The joy I experienced in meeting challenges and satisfying my curiosity through scientific exploration was exhilarating. Since then, I have eagerly participated in science fairs every year, always looking forward to new projects. These experiences have been invaluable for me to understand the role of science in everyday development and ultimately lead me to establish Science Nexus!
You are currently leading an organization that aims to make a social impact. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?
Science Nexus is a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking barriers and promoting science education for everyone, despite resource constraints. We address this issue by collaborating with volunteers worldwide to establish learning hubs locally in their communities. These hubs host workshops designed to spark curiosity and critical thinking. Using low-cost, locally available materials, we create a comprehensive curriculum based on a hands-on, experiential learning model. Through our global network, we empower youth from all walks of life, including first-generation students, individuals with disabilities, and those from underserved or marginalized communities. Our goal is to help them thrive in a rapidly evolving scientific landscape. By addressing these challenges, communities can achieve self-sustainability by discovering innovative solutions to their problems, gaining tangible skills for employment, and elevating their socio-economic status. By providing children born into impoverished families with the resources they need to create opportunities for advancement, we help break the generational poverty cycle. Along the way, we aim to develop future leaders and changemakers who can drive these goals within their communities and foster problem-solving skills in the younger generation.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
Science fairs have always been the highlight of my educational journey, sparking innovation and a passion that has only grown stronger over the years. In my freshman year of high school, I had the incredible opportunity to become a finalist at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), standing alongside students from 80 countries on a global platform. Each finalist had an inspiring story. Despite resource constraints and lack of access to education, they harnessed ingenuity and determination to conduct groundbreaking research with the resources available to them. However, I realized that many students from underserved communities aren’t always able to work around these restrictions. They might never unlock their potential simply because they lack the opportunity or encouragement to try. This realization motivated me to found Science Nexus, an organization dedicated to promoting curiosity and nurturing creativity in underprivileged students through hands-on experiential learning.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
After being inspired to promote science education, I was able to host some workshops at our local library. Immediately, I saw a large interest. Families and friends all came flooding to the workshops, eager to explore activities like testing pH indicators or navigating robots that we had set up. Seeing the joy on the children’s faces as they got to experiment with these new materials they had never seen before was really inspiring. If the workshops helped people in my community find their interest, imagine the impact they could have in other states or even other countries. That was the moment I realized how I can promote science education around the world using the same workshop model. Developing this plan of action was the final trigger that pushed me into starting the organization.
Many young people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. But you did. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started?
The first step in starting Science Nexus was setting up a website to communicate our main goals and provide a way for people to get in touch with us. Next, I reached out to schools and other nonprofits internationally to establish chapters. These chapters were responsible for planning activities and hosting workshops in their respective areas. I also connected with experienced advisors and local volunteers to run each chapter. Collaborating with volunteers who were familiar with the local culture and institutions allowed us to develop targeted curricula that addressed each community’s specific needs. After developing the curriculum, we worked with chapter leads to arrange venues for the workshops. As time went on, we expanded to more countries, created additional chapters, and continued hosting regular workshops with existing chapters. Through these steps, I was able to create a foundation for Science Nexus, which I can now continue to build upon.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
The most interesting aspect since I began Science Nexus has been understanding the different cultures in each of our locations. A particular incident occurred while organizing one of our first workshops in the Philippines. The Eastern Pangasinan Agricultural College had limited experience with hands-on scientific experiments due to their rural setting and lack of opportunities. We organized a workshop to teach them how to purify contaminated water through the distillation process. Watching them iteratively problem-solve and then jump with excitement when their water finally made it through the system was a profound moment. It made me realize that, despite differences in experiences and language, people from different countries are more similar than we think. We all experience the same emotions and excitement when we succeed at a task. Everyone was thrilled with this new experience. This event increased my motivation to expand Science Nexus to as many countries as possible, giving everyone the opportunity to learn science and experience that same joy..
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I first started Science Nexus, I tried to organize all the workshops and plan the curriculum on my own. However, I soon realized this was a mistake. Not only did I lack understanding of the specific resources that individual schools needed, but the distance and sheer number of workshops made it difficult for me to effectively plan each one. The workshops weren’t as beneficial, and there was a disconnect between the team leading the experiments. I then started assigning local chapter leads and worked closely with them to plan workshops. Working with the leads made it easier to communicate with organizations in different areas and gave me a better understanding of where and how we might conduct experiments. Additionally, I was able to better divide my attention across all the chapters since the leads shared some of the responsibility. Through this experience, I realized the importance of collaboration and having a team to effectively lead any organization.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
I have been fortunate enough to have many mentors and cheerleaders who helped me succeed. First of all, I would like to thank my family for encouraging my interest in science and supporting me during any roadblocks I faced in my journey. Additionally, some of the biggest mentors who helped me succeed are the adult advisors of Science Nexus. They played a big role in helping me communicate with schools or organizations in a specific area, create curriculum according to the needs of the students, and discuss any changes to the organization. Without the help of these mentors, I wouldn’t have been able to expand Science Nexus to the level its at today.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
By passing out pamphlets about STEM concepts and organizing workshops at Dagliga School in the Upper East Region of Ghana, we observed a noticeable increase in students’ grades and enthusiasm for science. One student, in particular, was so inspired by his experiences with Science Nexus that he chose STEM as his career path. Before this, he was unaware of the diverse career options related to science or how captivating the field could be. One engineering workshop opened up a whole new world for him, and he continued to seek other opportunities in STEM. Today, he is studying at an engineering college in Ghana and has become the chapter lead for Ghana, aiming to pass on this inspiration to future generations.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
- Promote Collaboration Between Public and Private Schools: To ensure equal access to high-quality STEM education, it is essential for schools to share resources. Collaborations between schools in different areas can bridge the education gap and increase diversity in science. This also creates volunteer opportunities for students who want to help other schools advance their STEM programs. Additionally, such collaboration can lead to the formation of local science fairs and competitions, providing platforms to showcase their advancements.
- Classes for Experiential Learning: Many schools currently teach science purely from a theoretical perspective, without incorporating experiments, projects, or practical applications. This makes STEM fields seem less engaging and useful to students. By allocating more funds and updating the curriculum, it is crucial to provide students with hands-on experiences, especially in underserved communities, before they make career choices. This approach sparks curiosity and encourages students to explore science further.
- Establish a Network of Local Universities and Companies: Underserved communities often lack access to mentors and advisors, and high schools are often overburdened and unable to guide each student individually. Connecting students to local universities and companies can provide them with more experiences in different subjects and guide them through the process of higher education. This leads to more job opportunities and helps break the cycle of generational poverty. Establishing these connections is a crucial step in providing specific career guidance to students.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- Build a Team of People to Work With: Creating an organization on a large scale and ensuring it runs effectively is challenging. When I first started Science Nexus, I struggled to coordinate the different chapters across long distances without being physically present. I soon realized that engaging local volunteers from each area made the process of holding workshops much smoother. These local volunteers not only facilitated communication and coordination but also helped in recruiting and reaching out to other organizations for collaboration, further expanding the nonprofit.
- Don’t Hesitate to Take the First Step: When starting an organization, many people have a great idea but hesitate to take the final leap and actually execute it. Taking this step can be scary because of uncertainties about managing the organization or its success. However, those who overthink often miss out on their opportunity. After creating an action plan, it is crucial to keep moving forward rather than being paralyzed by fear of the unknown.
- Adapt to Changes in Your Plan: There have been many times when I had a plan for specific experiments or a curriculum timeline for workshops. However, due to changes in student interests or the time required to complete certain activities, the entire curriculum plan changed. In such situations, many people might want to revert to the original plan, but sometimes it’s better to embrace the new path. Students were able to learn better when they got more time for certain activities than originally planned.
- Always Have a Growth Mindset: When starting an organization, it’s crucial to never give up and keep trying, even when things don’t go your way. There were many instances when schools didn’t respond, libraries didn’t have open rooms for workshops, or local volunteers were hesitant to join the Science Nexus team. By maintaining a growth mindset and believing that I would figure out the next steps, I was able to overcome these barriers. Without this mindset, each small setback would have diminished my motivation and passion for running the organization.
- Never Be Afraid to Ask Questions: One of the biggest lessons I learned through Science Nexus is the importance of always asking questions. Someone might receive hundreds of rejections, but they should keep asking until they receive the one acceptance they need. As I started the organization, I reached out to schools, nonprofits, and individuals in various countries to explore partnership opportunities. Many groups had other commitments or couldn’t invest the necessary time. However, when I did secure a partnership, we used it to maximum advantage. We hosted several workshops, started new chapters, and taught classes at schools. Asking for help and partnerships opens doors for new possibilities and advancements.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
Young people should always consider making a positive impact on our society because it gives them a sense of purpose. Most people don’t realize their ability to effect change in their environment. Even small actions can have a significant and inspiring impact on someone else. When individuals get involved in volunteer service, they not only provide valuable assistance to those they are helping but also become more confident, skilled, and grow as individuals. Volunteering often provides invaluable experience in interacting with others, being exposed to different perspectives, and developing leadership skills.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
If I could have lunch with anyone in the world, it would be with Mae Jemison, an American engineer and NASA astronaut who has made significant contributions to promoting science education for children, especially minority students. Her projects, such as The Earth We Share and Science Matters, encourage students internationally to learn about science. I really admire her dedication to promoting equality by engaging youth in hands-on, interdisciplinary STEM education. I want to discuss some of the strategies she employed to create such a large impact and some of the issues she faced in her journey.
How can our readers follow you online?
Readers can follow our work through our Instagram (@science_nexus) and our website www.sciencenexus.com .
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
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