This Teen Helped Native American Students Earn Ham Radio Licenses
For many high school students, summer vacation is a time to unplug. For Ruchira Shree, a rising sophomore at West Windsor–Plainsboro High School South , in New Jersey, the break allows her to ramp up her extracurricular pursuits. Much of her time is spent assisting with IEEE Princeton Central Jersey Section activities. She got involved with the PCJS because of her mother, IEEE Senior Member…
Ruchira Shree, a high school sophomore, is making an impact on Native American students' STEM education. The teenager, from West Windsor–Plainsboro High School South in New Jersey, works with the IEEE Princeton Central Jersey Section, which is led by her mother, Shubha Bommalingaiahnapallya. Ruchira's involvement in the IEEE section stems from her mother's influence, who she attended IEEE meetings with as a child.
During the summer, Ruchira is enrolled in a summer course in algorithmic and combinatorial thinking to sharpen her math skills. She has already earned recognition on the AMC 8 honor roll, a prestigious achievement for seventh graders. Her advanced aptitude in math led her to an internship with the Alliance for Indigenous Math Circles (AIMC), an organization dedicated to increasing STEM opportunities for Native American students.
Ruchira met Francis O'Connell, the treasurer of the IEEE Integrated STEM in Education Conference (ISEC) at a section event. O'Connell, a life senior member of IEEE and founder of FXO, mentored her for two years. At last year's ISEC, Ruchira met Harini Frederickson, an AIMC intern recruiter for New Jersey. Frederickson invited Ruchira and nine other students to volunteer at the AIMC camp in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Ruchira eagerly took on the opportunity, and she continues to make a difference at the camp.
The AIMC was inspired by the Navajo Nation Math Circles, which aims to overcome barriers to STEM education in the Navajo Nation. The program has run two camps annually since 2017, typically held at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, New Mexico. During the camp, students and interns engage in math circles, a cooperative problem-solving method, and learn from Indigenous STEM professionals.
Ruchira's internship allows her to assist with camp activities, answer questions, and observe students working through math circle problems.
The AIMC's approach combines STEM activities with cultural elements, which helps Native American students see the relevance of mathematics in their ancestors' lives. This connection paves the way for students to envision themselves in STEM careers. Ruchira's role in the AIMC not only supports Native American students but also helps build lasting relationships among students, interns, and mentors.
Written by urgent.news from IEEE Spectrum's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
