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Siddharth Yelisetty: Building a bright future for younger generations| Megan Beebe

MC junior Siddharth Yelisetty has made it his mission to foster students’ curiosity and enthrallment in the world of STEM. In 2023, Yelisetty founded a citywide STEM initiative alongside the San Diego Mayor’s Office and local libraries with the purpose of introducing children to robotics, coding, and technology fundamentals in an enjoyable way.

Yelisetty’s program has impacted over 2,000 learners from ages six to 16. 

Teaching younger generations | Photo Courtesy Siddharth Yelisetty

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“I want to inspire students to recognize their potential and view STEM as a creative and problem-solving outlet. STEM drives innovation, and the more young minds pursue it, the better the world becomes,” Yelisetty said.

Yelisetty’s passion for STEM and robotics developed at a young age due to an introduction to the subjects from his brother and other high school students.

“My interest in robotics was sparked when high school students visited my middle school to showcase their robots. Watching these creations in action ignited a curiosity that has only grown since,” Yelisetty said.

This passion has progressively presented more opportunities for him over the years, including AI research and internships. This program is his way of creating those same possibilities for younger students in his community.

“I want to share [STEM’s] transformative power with others, especially kids who might not naturally see themselves in STEM. This program is my way of giving back and showing students that STEM can be a pathway to incredible opportunities,” Yelisetty said.

During each of his program’s sessions, Yelisetty guides students through lessons on the fundamentals of robotics, mechanical design, and hands-on building.

 

“Using presentations and LEGO kits, I guide students through challenges while allowing them to creatively solve problems. Each session ends with students driving a larger robot my team built,” Yelisetty said.

Yelisetty is also an Eagle Scout, which has deeply impacted his values and helped him develop and expand his program.

“Earning the rank of Eagle Scout has instilled in me the importance of service, leadership, and perseverance. These values influence how I approach challenges and emphasize the significance of giving back to the community, shaping the foundation of my projects and aspirations,” Yelisetty said.

 

Over the course of his program, Yelisetty has experienced first-hand the impact that he has made on the younger generations. In one of his earlier workshops, Yelisetty helped a girl overcome a challenge that she was facing while building a pushing mechanism.

 

“I worked with her step-by-step, and by the end of the session, she had built a functional mechanism and was beaming with pride. Seeing her transformation from frustration to excitement reaffirmed why I do what I do,” Yelisetty said.

Yelisetty’s overall goal is to be able to spark curiosity in kids and help them gain confidence in the field of STEM.

 

“My favorite part is witnessing the shift in students’ attitudes. Some arrive moody or uninterested, often dragged by their parents, but by the end, they’re excited, engaged, and eager to learn more,” Yelisetty said.

 

Yelisetty’s hard work, dedication, and determination to make a lasting impact on people has resulted in him being recognized by the San Diego County Public

Defender’s Office in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library, as one of San Diego’s 25 Most Remarkable Teens.

 

“It was incredible to be acknowledged, but more importantly, it made me reflect on the support I’ve received from mentors, friends, and my team. This award is not just  mine but a testament to the collective effort of everyone who has been part of my journey,” Yelisetty said.

 

As of now, Yelisetty is working to expand his program to other cities and incorporate it into schools and Scout programs. He wishes to establish a sustainable foundation that guarantees continuous access to STEM education.

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