Anika: My mom heard about the Children's Science Center through her friends and told me about its volunteering opportunity.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Where are you from, occupation, homelife, etc.
Anika: My family is from India, but I was born in Herndon, Virginia and have lived in this area my whole life. I moved to Chantilly last year and am currently a sophomore at Chantilly High School.
Narendra: I was born in India, migrated to the US in 1998 and have lived in Virginia since 2000. I have a bachelors degree in engineering, work in the IT industry and am the proud father of two beautiful girls.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with the Center?
Anika: I like how the staff is always very friendly and welcoming every time we come in to volunteer. I also enjoy performing the experiments myself.
Narendra: I like seeing kids having fun as well as learning science concepts at a very early age. As Anika mentioned, I like how the staff is always friendly, welcoming, as well as energetic.
What scientist do you admire most and why?
Anika: I admire Thomas Edison because before he found the right material for his most famous invention (the lightbulb), he failed 1,000 times, but he still persevered.
Narendra: I believe Galileo has contributed a great deal of knowledge for today's scientific advancement. He is considered as the father of modern science and his scientific methods are even used in today's scientific endeavors. Because of him we know where Earth stands in this incredible universe and how tiny our Earth is in this enormous universe.
How can we inspire young people to become interested in science?
Anika: Everything in the world is in some way related to science, so by helping children explore a variety of science genres, they are bound to find a field that they are interested in.
Narendra: When kids are exposed to science in their early age and understand how everything in this universe is made up of the same basic elements, it is very easy for them to understand we are all part of one living/breathing universe and we are all one and the same.
What is one scientific question you would like to see answered in your lifetime?
Anika: Is there life on any other planets except Earth?
Narendra: I would like to see vehicles running on antimatter. Scientists are very close (maybe a decade away) in using this technology to power the rockets for exploration beyond our solar system.
Anika and her dad, Narendra have been voluteering since 2016 and can be found mostly at the Lab restocking experiment supplies. Thanks to both for their time and dedication!
