Making Strides In STEM, Kiara Nirghin
Tell us about yourself and how your love for science, climate change, and education began.
Ever since I was young, I have always been curious about the world around me! I never stopped asking questions and always wanted to dig deeper into understanding why things were developed and executed in certain ways, which culminated into simply asking a ton of questions all the time. Specifically, my focus on climate change started in 2016, when South Africa was struck with its worst drought ever.
Congratulations on winning Google's Community Impact Award! Can you tell us about your invention and your inspiration behind it?
I developed a unique super-absorbent polymer that holds hundreds of times its weight in water when stored in soil. It is biodegradable, inexpensive, and free of harmful chemicals, unlike the manmade materials currently used. The polymer - made entirely from waste products - improves the environment, increases the chance for plants to sustain growth (by 84%) during a drought, and can increase food security (by 73%) in disaster-struck areas. The inspiration behind the product built off of existing research. As a young inventor, I think that leveraging existing work from scientists who are much more experienced than yourself can incredibly helpful, as it allows you to learn and experiment in the field you are passionate about.
You are a student at Stanford University. What excites you most about school?
Getting to dig deeper into passions that I may not have realized yet! A lot of my work prior to university was lab-based. However, at school, I have been able to learn and appreciate the power of technology and entrepreneurship in so many different facets... and that is incredibly exciting!
What would you like to see change within the STEM field? How would you go about changing it?
I have thought and written about this question extensively. The specific change I would like to see in the STEM field would be to see young women not only participating in STEM but actively leading STEM projects. The nuance is very important; I think now more so than ever before. With the rapid development of technology, this distinction becomes so vital to the development of equitable and sustainable long-term innovations. I think that the most important driving factor to make this change would be to communicate to as many young women as possible that they need to stay curious. To ask questions and pursue answers with resilience. Spread the message that, "it might not always feel like it, but the world needs you and your brain."
What is your advice for young girls who want to change the world in STEM?
To those interested in pursuing a career in STEM, I am delighted with your decision. If you are just getting started, I have a few pieces of advice for you:
Keep up to date with environmental, social and technological issues in your community, country, and the world. Current affairs are the starting point for many scientific projects.
Once you identify an issue that you are passionate about (do not be intimidated by large global issues), break it down. Understand how it affects your immediate community and the people around you. After approaching the issue from this perspective, I suggest you then think big. Think applications, machine learning, or artificial intelligence.
Now comes the simple part: use your resources. Make use of your teachers, mentors, libraries or school laboratories to build upon your idea.
Finally, it is important to note that the hours you put into a project may not generate an immediate solution, but keep at it. I constantly remind myself that, if I do not find a solution to this issue, no one will! □
Article Credits:
Instagram: @kiara_nirghin
