Puneeth Nunna is a high school student from Massachusetts with interests in aerospace engineering, computer science, and environmental sustainability. His passion for STEM grew from a natural curiosity about how things work, eventually leading him to join his school’s FRC team, where he enjoys designing and manufacturing robot parts. He now pays it forward by teaching younger students in the club and helping organize his school’s FRC events. Puneeth has also woven his love of STEM education into his community service projects, including leading hands-on robotics lessons for local elementary school students.
During the Summit STEM Fellowship, Puneeth was encouraged to take initiative and co-founded a nonprofit organization with his peers to provide tutoring and STEM lessons to students. Inspired by one of the mentors, Isabella, he has also been channeling his creativity into a new project: writing a book called The Eighth Continent, which explores water pollution and the importance of clean water awareness. Read on to learn more about Puneeth, his exciting new projects, and his goals for the future!
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Meet Puneeth!
How did you initially become interested in STEM?
I first became interested in STEM through my curiosity about how things work and my love for problem-solving. I've always enjoyed looking at the world around me and asking questions like "why" and "how do they work," especially when it comes to space, technology, and the environment. Over time, that curiosity grew into a passion for exploring how science and engineering could be used to solve real-world challenges!
What specific areas of STEM are you most interested in?
My strongest interests in STEM fields are in aerospace engineering, computer science (particularly artificial intelligence and machine learning), and environmental sustainability. I'm especially fascinated by how these fields overlap, whether that's using AI to address challenges or creating innovative solutions for sustainability here on Earth.
What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
My main extracurricular activity is being an active member of my school's FRC team. I contribute to designing and manufacturing, which are my main passions. Currently, I'm teaching younger students in the club. I’m also involved in community engagement and outreach, including organizing the events we run and representing us in award submissions, like the Impact Award. One of the events we run involves bringing a robot to the schools in our town and presenting the engineering design process to younger children as part of their curriculum. I find this really interesting because being part of a school's curriculum means we're making a significant impact. It’s really cool to see that our team has established this as a long-standing tradition!
Fellowship Experience
What was your favorite part of the Summit STEM Fellowship?
My favorite part of the Summit STEM Fellowship was being surrounded by peers who are equally passionate about STEM, change-making, and becoming future leaders. It created an inspiring and innovative environment that motivated me to pursue my passions. A unique aspect of the program was the chance to interact with mentors who were in our shoes not too long ago. That closeness made the conversations feel more like peer-to-peer guidance, which helped me learn even better, especially in an online setting.
Which event or speaker stood out to you this summer?
I found the office hours and coffee chats to be incredibly helpful. They allowed for real conversations about everything from college applications to STEM programs. I utilized those opportunities a lot on weekends. The peer connections were also beneficial because I was able to connect with individuals interested in the same subjects. Overall, it was a really cool experience.
The most inspiring talk for me was Isabella Delbakhsh’s Fireside Chat on making your dreams a reality. Her story helped me understand not just the technical aspects, but also how she created her own opportunities as a high school student. This inspiration led me to initiate projects like my book project and a non-profit organization called Next Frontiers, which I started with some fellow Summit STEM members.
What specific skills or takeaways did you learn from the fellowship?
One major takeaway was the importance of combining technical expertise with leadership and communication. The fellowship taught me how to articulate my vision clearly and collaborate with peers on meaningful projects. Another key lesson was to always take that first step, because nothing is possible without actually trying!
Future Aspirations
What are your goals over the next five to ten years?
Over the next decade, I hope to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and AI research. The sessions and backgrounds of the mentors really strengthened my passion for these fields. I want to contribute to projects that make space exploration safer and more responsible, focusing on fuel and climate change. I also want to continue leading initiatives that make STEM more accessible to the next generation of students!
How has the Summit STEM Fellowship influenced your interests in STEM?
The fellowship really helped me see my interest in these fields, and now I can actually take action because I'm aware of the different opportunities that exist. I just want to say that the Summit STEM Fellowship has been one of the most formative experiences of my life. It provided me with tools, knowledge, and the confidence to act on my passions. All my projects have been inspired by the talks and mentors I encountered during the fellowship. I’m deeply grateful to the mentors, speakers, and especially the fellows who made this journey so impactful!
What exciting projects are you currently working on?
Currently, I'm writing a book titled The Eighth Continent, which focuses on water pollution and the scarcity of clean water, emphasizing the science and research behind why we should raise awareness about ocean pollution. I also co-founded Next Frontiers, where I collaborated with my peers from the Summit STEM Fellowship to run a nonprofit that offers tutoring and extensive lessons in STEM topics. We're finalizing our curriculum to start our first enrollment, and I’m so excited to launch this project!
