Shanza Sami Email & Phone Number

Iowa City, Ia

"STEM for Youth" is an organization aimed to deliver accessible, hands-on STEM education to elementary school students around the ICCSD District.• Conducted chemistry, earth science, engineering, and robotics programs. • 100+ high school students signed up for involvement in the organization. • Impacted 300+ elementary school students in the 2023-24 school year across schools in the Iowa City area.• Received $1K+ in funding and grants from local sponsors and the ICCSD STEM fund. • Partnered with other initiatives, including innovator Dasia Taylor's STEM Workshop Series.• Received support from local organizations, such as the Iowa Technology Institute, Iowa Space Grant Consortium, and Hills Bank.

Inducted to the Iowa Governor's Youth STEM Advisory Council as one of 21 youth advisers. Initiated and involved in committees aimed to connect youth with STEM opportunities and promote STEM education.

Iowa City, Ia

Reporter and Features Editor of West High's award-winning student publication, West Side Story (WSS).• Contributed in 6 released editions of WSS in the 2023-24 school year.• Received National 'Best of SNO' recognition for 4 articles. Recognized under 'Best of Best of SNO' for top tech article, "1-2-3, eyes on me".• Won 1st place under the Health and Sciences category across the state of Iowa.• Named one of Iowa's top 'Emerging Journalists' in 2024.

Selected as one of 15 student advisers in the State of Iowa's Science and Technology Fair, promoting STEM education and science researchers to elementary school students, engaging in community outreach, and brainstorming 2025 SSTFI ideas. Board under Iowa State University Extension & Outreach.

Selected as a Youth Ambassador for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to discuss global issues and address challenges around the community. • Networked with other ambassadors around the world and connected with program guests and changemakers.• Advocated for community initiatives aligned with the UN's SDGs. • Oversaw the organization of the Teen Action Fair held at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Innovation Center in Seattle, WA.

Oral presentations and Q&As delivered at science competitions, symposia, and public speaking events. • 3M Finalist Research Presentation, Saint Paul MN (2022) — Presented to panel of scientists at 3M Headquarters. • Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, Iowa City IA (2023-24) — Presented to panel of judges conducting research at the University of Iowa. Received 1st Place and $2K Scholarship in the state of Iowa in 2023.• National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, Virginia Beach VA (2023) — Selected to give an oral presentation to a panel of engineers for the NJSHS Symposium. • Jacobson Institute National Business Pitch, Iowa City IA (2023) — Selected as one among 10 other finalists for National Business pitch. Orally delivered pitch to judges. • Borlaug Elementary, Iowa City IA (2023) — Invited to give insights on my research journey to students at Borlaug Elementary. • NASA imaginAviation Conference (2024) — Youngest-ever student researcher invited to share findings and experience at NASA iA Event. Live conference streamed in 80+ countries with 8k+ viewers.• National STEM Festival, Washington D.C. (2024) — Presented research to numerous VIP members and sponsors, including representatives from the US Capitol. Also featured on TikTok Live to share experiences conducting precollegiate research with 7k+ viewers.

• Selected for NASA's iA Collegiate Mentorship as their youngest-ever mentee after presenting at the 2024 NASA imaginAviation Conference. • Received guidance from two assigned mentors regarding research and networked. • Connected with other NASA scientists.

Saint Paul, Mn

Selected under the 3M Young Scientist Challenge to work under a 3M scientist. Conducted research with guidance from Dr. Patrick Zimmerman.• Received guidance from Dr. Zimmerman for ~5 months.• Presented research to a panel of 3M judges at 3M Headquarters in Saint Paul, MN. • Received extensive media coverage, PR packages, all-expenses paid trip to MN, and $1K in prize money after placing as a runner-up in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.• Invited alongside Dr. Zimmerman and two other student innovators to ring Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange.