Gitanjali Rao

High School Graduation Year: 2023
Year First Awarded the Carson Scholarship: 2019
Sponsored by: Mr. & Mrs. Gerard & Maria Giordana

Gitanjali Rao, a 4-time Carson Scholar and TIME’s first-ever Kid of the Year, is an internationally recognized young scientist, inventor, and STEM advocate whose work has inspired students, educators, and innovators all around the world. She is known for applying scientific thinking to real-world challenges and for encouraging young people to approach problem-solving with creativity and confidence.

“The CSF has enabled me to be motivated and excel in my academics while contributing time to our community. Our generation is growing up in a time where we are seeing problems that never existed before. CSF is developing leaders of tomorrow who not only excel in education but give back their time and solve others’ problems ensuring there is a world where kindness prevails,” Gitanjali shared, just before receiving her recognition as the inaugural TIME Kid of the Year in 2020. Read the blog post here.

She rose to national prominence after winning the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, gaining recognition for her early work developing a tool to help detect lead in water. That breakthrough sparked a series of technology-driven projects aimed at addressing community-focused issues, and her efforts have since been featured across major media outlets including TIME, Forbes, and other leading broadcast networks. Her ability to translate complex ideas into accessible, meaningful solutions has made her one of the most prominent youth voices in modern STEM.

Alongside her innovations, she has also become a leading advocate for youth STEM education. Through workshops, speaking engagements, and partnerships with schools and organizations, she has introduced tens of thousands of students around the world to the process of inquiry, design, and invention. Her book, A Young Innovator’s Guide to STEM, expands this work even further, offering practical tools to help young people take their ideas from concept to impact.

Gitanjali’s continued work reflects a rare combination of technical insight, communication skills, and a genuine commitment to community impact. As she builds on her research and public engagement, she is contributing to a landscape where young people see technology not just as a field to study, but as a platform for meaningful action.