Children’s Innovation Center: Nurturing Young Innovators
At the Children’s Innovation Center, we believe in empowering young minds from all backgrounds. Our mission is clear: to foster a culture of critical thinking, creativity, and responsibility. KG’s story exemplifies this mission.
STUDENT KG’s JOURNEY
KG, a 9th grader from American High School, Fremont CA, started with our online Research Program to keep herself busy during COVID lockdown. Through our Interdisciplinary Research Program, she soon found her passion and her path. Here’s how it unfolded:
- Inspiration: KG learned about greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on our planet. Landfills, in particular, caught her attention. She wanted to make a difference.
- RootPipes: Guided by her mentor, Shanti Balaraman, KG developed an innovative solution called RootPipes. Inspired by mangroves, these pipes mimic nature’s design to efficiently collect greenhouse gases within landfills. (Read The Research Article Here)
- Prototyping and Testing: As advised by her mentor, Shanti Balaraman, KG wholeheartedly embraced the testing suggestions. Armed with a 3D-printed prototype, she rigorously tested her RootPipes system through backyard experiments, ultimately confirming its effectiveness.
- Recognition: Her work gained recognition in publications like Waste Today, MSW Management, and Politico. She also received awards from the Junior Science & Humanities Symposium and Regeneron ISEF.
- Continued Research: KG’s journey didn’t stop there. She collected data, participated in competitions, and collaborated with organizations like NOAA and the Sierra Club.
Read Kennesha’s Blog written in 2021: The Importance of My Experience
Mentorship Matters: Behind every successful innovator stands a mentor. Shanti Balaraman’s guidance was instrumental in shaping Kennesha’s research. Together, they explored prototyping techniques, data collection strategies, and the intricacies of sustainable solutions. Shanti’s expertise fueled Kennesha’s passion and propelled her forward.
College Admissions: Kennesha’s dedication led her to Stanford University (2024-2028). Her passion for sustainability and innovative solutions opened doors. At the Children’s Innovation Center, we take pride in nurturing young innovators like KG.
Testimonial from Manish, Dad of Kennesha, given in 2021:
"Kennesha has gone through a massive change ever since she started this Research Program. I have observed that she is becoming more cognizant, and her quality of work has drastically improved. Shanti provided her with opportunities such as participating in the Youth Design National Competition; her experiences from the competition and the program have been invaluable, since she has garnered genuine care for the environment while learning about interesting topics such as biomimicry, industrial designing, and green chemistry. I am very happy with her growth, and I would recommend this program for sure." - Manish, Parent of 9th grader
Celebrating Our Exceptional Research Students’ Admissions Success, Class of 2024!
Dear Students and Parents,
I am thrilled to share the remarkable admissions results achieved by some of our outstanding research students from the class of 2024. Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence have led to incredible opportunities:
- KG.: KG completed her research during 9th grade and went above and beyond by participating in various competitions. Her hard work has paid off, as she has been accepted into Stanford University’s College of Engineering.
- CC.: CC continued his research journey, which began in 10th grade. His impressive work caught the attention of multiple institutions, and he has now committed to UC Berkeley, pursuing Biology on the premed track.
- NV.: NV’s research efforts in 9th grade have culminated in an acceptance to the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology, where he will study Mechanical Engineering.
- NG.: NG’s dedication to research during 10th grade has led him to the University of Southern California, where he will major in Computer Science.
- AG.: AG’s consistent research journey since 9th grade has earned her a merit scholarship of $83,000 for Computer Science and Engineering at Santa Clara University.
- SN.: SN’s research endeavors during 10th grade were rewarded with a substantial scholarship of approximately $100,000 from Rutgers University for Biomedical Engineering.
These recent successes underscore the value of my research program and the transformative impact it has on our students. By persevering and following my guidance, they have achieved remarkable outcomes. I hope their achievements inspire you as well!
Are you ready to embark on your own Research journey?
For more information, visit our Research Program webpage : Emerging Innovators Research Program for High School Students (childrensinnovationcenter.org)
Remember, every great innovation begins with a single step. Take yours today! 
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