A Movement Found at the Intersection of STEM and Service

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Adhya Garlapati. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

For Adhya Garlapati, service was never a box to check. It began in childhood, when she tagged along to community events and environmental projects and discovered that every act of helping came bundled with a lesson about leadership, teamwork, and what it means to get involved. Those early experiences shaped a conviction that would eventually take institutional form: that young people don’t just have to imagine a better community, they can build one. That belief became the foundation of the 4C STEM Club, a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit Adhya founded to help students turn ideas into action.

At the heart of the organization is a simple but ambitious premise: that STEM education and community service belong together. Adhya designed the club to integrate scientific learning with environmental sustainability and hands-on outreach, and she runs nearly every gear of the operation herself, from planning workshops to coordinating events, from mentoring student volunteers to developing curriculum, from fundraising to managing partnerships with schools and community organizations.

Over three years, that work has added up in striking ways. The club has reached more than 4,500 individuals, delivered over 630 STEM learning hours, facilitated 385-plus hours of leadership and engagement, hosted more than 200 events, and raised over $20,400 to fuel its programs. The club’s environmental flagship, Project EcoCatalyst 360, is where Adhya’s vision becomes especially tangible. Through it, she and her volunteers have repurposed more than 40,000 pill bottles for recycling and medical reuse, collected over 1,500 pairs of shoes, and distributed more than 2,000 native plant seed packets to encourage local ecological restoration. She also established a community library stocked with over 10,000 books, an enduring resource that will outlast any single event. Beyond her own organization, Adhya volunteers roughly 25 hours a month and lends her time to the Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team, the Buffalo Grove Prairie Guardians, the Park District, and the local Farmers Market, weaving herself into the fabric of the community she serves.

That combination of vision and follow-through has drawn recognition, including the Caring Community Award from the Village of Buffalo Grove and consecutive years of national volunteer service honors. But the numbers and accolades tell only part of the story. What distinguishes Adhya is the way she has turned personal passion into a scalable engine that mentors the next generation of volunteers even as it plants seeds, stocks shelves, and cleans up the environment. Her goal is to keep creating opportunities that empower young people to use STEM and service together, proving again and again that meaningful change is something students can lead, not just wait for.

Tell us about your volunteer role and organization.

I’m the founder of 4C STEM Club, a student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to making STEM education accessible while encouraging young people to use their knowledge to solve real-world problems through community service. As a part of our club’s executive board, me and my team organize STEM workshops, educational events, science fairs, environmental projects, and service initiatives that inspire students to become leaders in their communities.

Outside of the club, I lead several environmental service projects. Since 2022, I have organized the collection of more than 60,000 used prescription pill bottles for medical reuse programs and over 2,000 pairs of shoes that support people in need while also helping fund tree-planting efforts. I have also led native seed collection, distributed milkweed seeds to support monarch butterflies, participated in prairie restoration projects, and educated community members about environmental sustainability. Through every project, my goal is to combine leadership and service to create a meaningful and lasting impact.

Why is this issue so important to you?

Ever since I was young, I have enjoyed volunteering because it allows me to make a difference while learning from every experience. I believe that STEM should not only be about discovering new technologies; it should also be about improving our communities and protecting our environment.

Environmental sustainability is especially important to me because the choices we make today affect future generations. Whether it’s reducing waste, protecting wildlife, or encouraging recycling, I believe even small actions can create a lasting impact when people work together.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

My passion grew through both my love of STEM and my volunteer experiences. As I learned more about environmental challenges, I realized that many problems could be addressed through simple community actions. Instead of waiting for someone else to solve these issues, I wanted to help create solutions.

Starting the 4C STEM Club gave me an opportunity to combine STEM education with community service. I wanted to show other students that they don’t have to wait until they’re adults to make a difference. They can start today by using their ideas, creativity, and compassion.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

My long-term goal for the 4C STEM Club is to inspire and educate as many students as possible by making STEM learning accessible, engaging, and meaningful. I want to give more children in the community the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence. I hope to help students discover a passion for STEM, develop leadership skills, and realize that they can use their knowledge to make a positive impact in their communities.

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.

One partnership is our recent collaboration with the Buffalo Grove Park District on the Buffalo Grove STEM Expo. It was an incredible experience to see students, families, educators, and community members come together to celebrate STEM learning. The event was a tremendous success. Looking ahead, I’m excited to build on that momentum by collaborating with more park districts, villages, and nonprofit organizations to create additional STEM events, workshops, and community service opportunities.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Volunteering has taught me that leadership begins with service. I’ve learned how to communicate with people from different backgrounds, organize projects, solve unexpected challenges, and work as part of a team. Most importantly, I’ve learned that meaningful change doesn’t always require huge resources. It starts with one person willing to take the first step. Every volunteer, every project, and every small act of kindness can inspire others to get involved.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part of my work has been seeing students discover a passion for STEM that they never knew they had. It’s incredibly meaningful to watch them become more curious, build confidence through hands-on learning, and develop an interest in science and technology that could even lead to a future career they had never considered before. Seeing students grow, ask questions, and become excited about learning reminds me why this work is so important.

It’s also incredibly rewarding to see community members visit our booths and events, learn something new, and become more informed about STEM and the impact it can have on everyday life. Knowing that our programs inspire both students and families is something I’m truly proud of, and it motivates me to continue creating opportunities that make STEM accessible and exciting for everyone.

It’s also rewarding to see our environmental initiatives grow. Knowing that thousands of pill bottles and shoes have been diverted from landfills while helping people in need reminds me that even simple ideas can have a significant impact when a community comes together.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

When people volunteer for causes they genuinely care about, they’re more likely to stay committed and inspire others to join them. Communities become stronger when everyone contributes their unique skills and passions. No matter your age, your contribution matters. Whether you volunteer for one hour or hundreds of hours, your actions can positively impact someone else’s life and encourage others to do the same.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Start with something you’re passionate about. You don’t need to create a huge organization or lead a major project on day one. Begin with one small act of service, learn from the experience, and continue building from there.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, work with mentors, and collaborate with others. Some of the best opportunities come from simply saying “yes” to helping. Every volunteer starts somewhere, and every small effort has the potential to grow into something much bigger than you ever imagined.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Adhya? Find local volunteer opportunities.