THE MELODIES OF MATERIALS

The initiative in action

This winter, I traveled to southern Telangana to lead introductory Artificial Intelligence (AI) workshops at Nachiketa Vidya Mandir on behalf of my nonprofit, The Future Innovators. Before the sessions even started, I sensed that this experience would be as meaningful for me as for the students.

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A Welcome I’ll Never Forget

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Before the workshops even started, I was welcomed by the school community with a level of warmth and generosity that immediately set the tone for my visit. I remember being greeted with flowers and a traditional bindi, followed by a delicious spread of homemade Indian cuisine that truly captured the region's hospitality and graciousness. What stood out to me, though, was how the youngest students took it upon themselves to guide me through the campus to the classroom. Their excitement and sense of responsibility, even before I had shown a single slide, spoke a lot about the culture and spirit of the school.

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Nachiketa Vidya Mandir serves students from Nursery to 10th grade, all from nearby rural villages in the Kodagal-Jadcherla region. By December 2025, the school had grown to 365 students, showing the community’s trust and the school’s commitment to quality education, where opportunities are often limited.

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Teaching AI

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During Winter 2025, we kicked off an India-focused initiative that brought together about 50 students from grades 8, 9, and 10. All of them saw themselves as beginners in AI, but once the sessions began, you wouldn’t have known it by how curious the students were. They asked and answered thoughtful questions and stayed engaged even with abstract or complex concepts, such as how machines learn from data or how AI models are trained. Together, we explored the basics of AI, how it works, and where it shows up in everyday life, especially in materials science, other engineering fields, healthcare, transportation, education, and science research.

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What I enjoyed most was their eagerness to think about the future. Many students wanted to discuss not only what AI does now, but also how it could shape their lives. We talked about why learning AI early is essential, especially as India adds AI-focused courses to school curricula, and how these skills could affect students' studies and careers.

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Curiosity, Confidence, and Growth

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Although they started as beginners, the students quickly became more confident discussing AI concepts. Their enthusiasm stayed strong, with hands always raised and questions coming in. Our conversation also continued after the sessions ended. 

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For me, this was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. It reminded me why expanding access to advanced technology education in rural areas matters so much. The talent and potential are definitely there. What’s missing is exposure.

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Why This Partnership Matters

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This initiative and our ongoing partnership with Nachiketa Vidya Mandir showed me how much direct engagement can matter. With the Future Innovators, I worked with students from the villages, brought meaningful STEM experiences to their classrooms, and, hopefully, contributed, even in a small way, to their long-term learning.

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Although the workshops have concluded for now, the partnership continues. Experiences like this remind me that education, when paired with curiosity, can genuinely change lives. I am deeply grateful to Nachiketa Vidya Mandir for their hospitality and to the students for their enthusiasm and dedication. 

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2025 was a joyride through materials science. It was full of challenges, discoveries, and moments that confirmed to me why I love this field. Each experience and interview pushed me forward, and I can’t wait to see what the next year has in store. But until dhin . . . stay upbeat, and stay tuned.

Presenting at the Georgia Institute of Technology