STEM Talk: How to Foster Passion for Science and Innovation with Gitanjali Rao

In this talk, Gitanjali Rao will discuss her inventions, numerous achievements, and how she continued to foster her passions throughout school and into university. She was recognized as America's Top Young Scientist and received an EPA Presidential Award for her patented invention of an innovative lead contamination detection tool. In 2019, she was honored as one of Forbes' "30 Under 30 in Science" for addressing the environmental issue of lead contamination. Her conversation will be moderated by Stephanie Klixbull, who works at Penn State University with science and engineering faculty to develop and implement professional development opportunities for elementary educators. They plan to address any questions from viewers, so feel free to come with any questions on Gitanjali's experience and guidance!

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Gitanjali Rao is an 19-year-old inventor, aspiring scientist, author, speaker, and active promoter of STEM worldwide. She was recognized as America's Top Young Scientist and received an EPA Presidential Award for her patented invention of an innovative lead contamination detection tool. Gitanjali is also the inventor of "Epione"—a device for the early diagnosis of prescription opioid addiction using genetic engineering, and "Kindly"—an anti-cyberbullying service utilizing AI and natural language processing.

In 2019, she was honored as one of Forbes "30 Under 30 in Science" for addressing the environmental issue of lead contamination. TIME named her a "Top Young Innovator" and "Kid of the Year" for her groundbreaking innovations and the STEM workshops she conducts globally. These workshops have inspired over 100,000 students across 48 countries in the last five years and she has raised over $100K for maker spaces in refugee camps and rural science fairs.

Gitanjali is the author of "Young Innovator's Guide to STEM," available in six languages, which guides students, educators, and teachers through a self-developed, prescriptive five-step innovation process. She also authored "Young Innovator's Guide to Planning for Success," offering further insights into achieving and sustaining innovative endeavors. In 2021, she was appointed as a UNICEF Youth Advocate for using science to solve social problems such as cyberbullying and developing solutions for environmental protection.

She received the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award - 2023, and the Martin Luther King Beloved Community Award - 2024 for her selfless service to students. She was honored with the prestigious Stephen Hawking Junior Medal for Science Communications in 2025 for inspiring millions of students worldwide.

She is currently a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

About the moderator:  Stephanie Klixbull, M. Ed. is an Elementary STEM Educational Specialist (K-8) at the Center for Science and the Schools at Penn State University. Stephanie Klixbull is an elementary educator who has spent over nine years in the classroom, educating students in science, math, and engineering. In 2018, Stephanie received the Max E. Lundquest Outstanding Young STEM Educator Award from the International STEM Educator Association for her work in early childhood STEM curriculum. She was also awarded as the state's Teacher of the Year by the state of South Carolina Independent Schools Association, 2019. Stephanie then completed a national fellowship through the Department of Energy in Washington, DC as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, 2021-2022. Throughout her career, Stephanie has been an advocate for STEM education and feels STEM experiences should be encouraged at every age, including early childhood. Currently, Stephanie works with science and engineering faculty at Penn State to develop and implement professional development opportunities for elementary educators and students. 

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