Amol Punjabi is a Finalist for the Prudential Spirit Awards

AMSA Junior Amol Punjabi of Northborough was recently named a Distinguished Finalist for the Prudential Spirit of the Community Awards. For this award, Amol received a letter signed by the president, a citation from a senator, a certificate, and a bronze medallion. Any high school or middle school student can apply for this award, and it is given to students who have created a unique and successful community service project. Amol co-founded Science for Shooting STARS (Science, Technology, Applied Research) with his brother Rahi for children at the local Boys & Girls Club. The mission of the program is to bring STEM learning to younger students across Massachusetts through after school programs. For example, they are currently working towards a science fair program on May 20th that enables students to pursue an independent research project. Amol has expanded Science for Shooting STARS and pulled together a team of high school students to now reach 14 locations and 300 students weekly. Science for Shooting Stars was encouraged by Amol’s and his brother’s own love of science: “It started when we were much younger: we liked to do fun science activities at home with friends and family. With that inspiration, we took our lessons to students at the Marlboro Boys and Girls Club.” Amol would like to thank both the AMSA Science department, especially Dr. Joray, for their assistance with supplies, and his dedicated team of AMSA students who help run the program in Marlboro and Framingham- Rahi Punjabi, Anton Zverev, Tim Morrissey, Prakayla Chandrasekar, Shrunothra Ambati, Hanna Seariac, and Hope Clairmont. Any high school student interested in helping out with the program is welcome and Amol would love to have more people join his team.

AMSA is not waiting for the world to change. We are changing the world one student at a time…every day. www.amsacs.org