Democratizing STEM Education for All!

Pay it Forward is an Illinois-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering K-8 students with equitable access to STEM education, breaking barriers and creating opportunities for all.

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Our Mission

Pay it Forward (PiF) is an Illinois-based nonprofit dedicated to democratizing STEM education and research. Our mission is to empower K–8 students through hands-on workshops, research-based curricula, and international partnerships that spark scientific curiosity and build a foundation for future innovation.


We break down barriers by developing innovative, accessible methodologies that create opportunities for every student—regardless of background or resources. Our programs are designed not only to educate but also to inspire, keeping pace with modern scientific and technological advancements.


A unique aspect of our approach is our team of passionate high school seniors. They combine their individual research advances to deliver a novel, research-based approach to teaching that makes STEM education accessible, engaging, and impactful for all students.


As our impact grows, we reinvest in communities—locally and globally—by channeling donations and funding back into programs that further enhance STEM learning. In this way, we truly "pay it forward."

Students engaged in STEM activities

Our Main Programs

STEM Workshops

Monthly STEM Workshops

We host engaging workshops on various STEM topics each month, designed to inspire curiosity and build confidence in young learners.

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Uganda Partnership

Uganda Partnership

Our partnership in Uganda helps children with limited access to education receive responsible and empowering STEM instruction.

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Research-Based Teaching

Research-Based Teaching

We apply our team's collective research advances to develop innovative teaching methods that make STEM accessible to all learners.

Learn More

Meet Our Co-Founders

Our team consists of seven passionate rising high school seniors, each bringing their unique expertise and research experience in STEM disciplines. Click on a team member to learn more about them.

Krishna Nair

Krishna

Co-Founder / President

Shriyans Gurijgala

Shriyans Gurijgala

Co-Founder / Vice-President

Manu Gadhiraju

Manu Gadhiraju

Co-Founder / Treasurer

Sohum Mehta

Sohum Mehta

Co-Founder / Research and Technology Lead

Vivaan Menon

Vivaan Menon

Co-Founder / Marketing Director

Aarush Nangunoori

Aarush Nangunoori

Co-Founder / Global Initiatives Lead

Dhruv Marlapaty

Dhruv Marlapaty

Co-Founder / Curriculum Director

Apply for Youth Board

Youth Board

Join Our Mission

Are you passionate about STEM education and want to make a difference in your community? Join our Youth Board and help us expand our impact!

As a Youth Board member, you'll have the opportunity to:

  • Develop and lead STEM workshops
  • Collaborate with our international partners
  • Contribute to our research-based teaching methodologies
  • Gain valuable leadership and organizational experience
  • Make a real difference in democratizing STEM education

We're looking for passionate, dedicated individuals who share our vision of making STEM education accessible to all.

Apply Now

Our Impact

Through our programs and partnerships, we're making a difference in the lives of young students across the globe.

4000+

Students Mentored

8

Monthly Workshops

4

Countries Impacted

$1,100

Charity Money Raised

Upcoming Workshops

Join our monthly STEM workshops designed for K-8 students. Registration is available through SignUpGenius.

STEM Workshop: The Wonders of Robotics (CLOSED)

Learn the basics of robotics and programming through fun, hands-on activities.

April 15, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Register

STEM Workshop: Exploring Chemistry (NOT YET OPEN)

Discover the exciting world of chemistry through safe, engaging experiments.

May 20, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Register

STEM Workshop: Space Exploration (NOT YET OPEN)

Journey through our solar system and beyond in this astronomy-focused workshop.

June 10, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Register

Connect With Us

Get in Touch

Contact Information

payitforwardinfocontact@gmail.com

Bloomington-Normal, Illinois

How to Support Us

Your donations help us expand our programs and reach more students. Every contribution makes a difference!

Donate Now

Send Us a Message

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Monthly STEM Workshops

Within the Bloomington-Normal area, we hold local hands-on workshops that serve as teaching initiatives employing hands-on curricula designed to inspire curiosity and build confidence in young learners.

Our workshops cover a wide range of STEM topics, making complex concepts accessible and engaging for K-8 students. Each workshop is carefully designed to promote active learning and scientific inquiry.

Notably, we've hosted Physics, Biology, Anatomy, and Engineering workshops, reaching over 1,000 people locally alone. Our dedicated team of high school seniors brings their research experience and passion to each event, creating memorable learning experiences.

Workshops are typically held monthly and are open to all students, regardless of background or prior experience in STEM. We provide all necessary materials and ensure that our activities are age-appropriate and engaging.

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Uganda Partnership

Our partnership in Uganda helps children with limited access to education receive responsible and empowering STEM instruction. We've been privileged enough to engage in this partnership through Sir Bamutiina Gregory, who runs an NGO and advocates for equity within Africa.

Through this collaboration, we provide educational resources, curriculum materials, and virtual mentoring to support STEM education in underserved communities. Our goal is to inspire scientific curiosity and build foundations for future innovation among students who might otherwise lack access to quality STEM education.

This partnership exemplifies our commitment to global impact and educational equity. By sharing resources and expertise across borders, we're helping to democratize STEM education on an international scale.

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Research-Based Teaching

We apply our team's collective research advances to develop innovative teaching methods that make STEM accessible to all learners. Our approach combines the latest educational research with practical classroom techniques to create engaging, effective learning experiences.

Each member of our team brings their unique research expertise, allowing us to develop a multidisciplinary approach to STEM education. By incorporating findings from cognitive science, educational psychology, and specific STEM disciplines, we create curricula that address diverse learning styles and needs.

Our teaching methodologies focus on hands-on exploration, critical thinking, and real-world applications. We believe that effective STEM education goes beyond memorization to foster genuine curiosity and problem-solving skills.

A full publication and metrics of our literature review will be publicly available soon! This comprehensive resource will provide educators and researchers with insights into our evidence-based approaches and their outcomes.