Pooja Chandrashekar, a 2015 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) and current freshman at Harvard University, joins the impressive roster of speakers, exhibitors, and students at the 2016 K-12 Stem Symposium: Opportunities in STEM. The daylong event will be held on March 12, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Nysmith School in Herndon, Virginia, and will help children—and their parents—discover new and exciting possibilities in the STEM fields across the National Capital Region.
One of the youngest presenters, Pooja Chandrashekar already has a remarkable record of achievement in STEM and mentoring younger girls. When Chandrashekar graduated from TJHSST, The Washington Post announced she was accepted by all 14 schools she’d applied to—including the eight Ivy League universities—and Stanford, MIT, Duke, the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, and Georgia Tech.
Chandrashekar chose Harvard and is studying biomedical engineering, global health, and health policy. Her interests also include computer science, neuroscience, and entrepreneurship.
She is passionate about encouraging young people to pursue their interests in STEM. While still a high school student, Chandrashekar created a nonprofit organization, ProjectCSGIRLS, dedicated to encouraging young girls around the world to pursue careers in the STEM fields and closing the gender gap in the tech industry.
Before entering Harvard last fall, Pooja spoke at Kumon North America Conference in Nashville, TN and the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Health Summit in Washington, DC.
Chandrashekar has also spoken at conferences and summits around the country including the IEEE Women in Engineering International Leadership Conference and the O’Reilly Velocity New York Conference. In addition, she served as a panelist at last year’s K-12 STEM Symposium focusing on “Positive Messaging: Making STEM Cool for K-12 Kids.”
Chandrashekar has been recognized by numerous organizations including the National Center for Women in Information Technology and the Clinton Foundation. She has published articles in The Huffington Post, Women 2.0, and The Washington Post.
Chandrashekar joins other accomplished STEM advocates at the 2016 Symposium, including female former astronaut Dr. Sandy Magnus (currently Executive Director the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) and former Top Gun Pilot, Eric Schierling (currently Director of Vencore’s Space Group). Chandrashekar will speak and exhibit her ProjectCSGirls program throughout the day.
The Symposium offers learning opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students in computer coding, space, 3D printing, drones, connected cars, and healthcare through a wide range of fun and interactive exhibitors and speakers. If you haven’t already registered, please sign up today. There’s something for everyone.
About 2016 K-12 Stem Symposium: Opportunities in STEM
The 2016 K-12 Stem Symposium is a free, exciting and all-day forum that equally engages children, parents, and teachers, coupled with corporate, government, academia and non-profit executives alike from the STEM fields. Register today at www.stemsymposium.com.
