This Teen Is Powering a Citywide STEM Revolution in San Diego

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Siddharth Yelisetty. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Siddharth Yelisetty is not just building robots—he’s building bridges to opportunity. As a standout student, AI researcher at UCSD and captain of a FIRST Robotics team, Siddharth has long recognized robotics as more than a competition. For him, it’s a powerful tool to inspire future innovators, especially those who might not otherwise have access to STEM education. With this vision, he launched a groundbreaking citywide initiative in partnership with the San Diego Mayor’s Office, transforming libraries and schools into vibrant STEM hubs. His workshops—free and hands-on—have now reached over 3,000 students across diverse neighborhoods.

Through his Keep It Simple II initiative, Siddharth teaches coding, engineering and robotics with a real-world twist. He designs the curriculum himself and leads sessions that emphasize creativity and problem-solving. But his reach goes well beyond teaching. Siddharth recruits and trains teen volunteers, organizes logistics and repurposes retired robotics gear and laptops to ensure that no student is left behind due to resource limitations. His innovative use of underutilized technology has bridged a critical digital divide in communities that need it most.

Recognizing the power of sustainability, Siddharth has also expanded his efforts beyond libraries. By partnering with organizations like the Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs and local elementary schools, he has created replicable models that can continue to run even without his presence. His dedication consistently exceeds 20 hours a month.

For his efforts, Siddharth has been honored as one of San Diego County’s “25 Most Remarkable Teens” and awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award. But these accolades are merely a reflection of his deeper mission: to make STEM education universally accessible and equitable. With each session he leads, each laptop he repurposes and each student he inspires, Siddharth is doing more than teaching STEM—he’s building a more inclusive future for innovation.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

As the founding member and captain of Keep It Simple II, a community-based FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team, I lead both technical and outreach activities. My volunteer role involves mentoring team members, teaching robotics and programming skills, coordinating logistics, developing engaging curriculum and organizing regular STEM workshops for youth.

Beyond competitions, I’ve dedicated myself to expanding community outreach by collaborating with local libraries, schools, Girl Scout troops and Boys & Girls Clubs, ensuring STEM education reaches underserved communities. My responsibilities include managing a large group of teen volunteers recruited citywide, overseeing the repurposing of retired robotics equipment and laptops to bridge resource gaps and continuously working toward creating sustainable, lasting impacts in our community. My Eagle Scout journey has deeply shaped my approach to service and leadership, instilling strong ethics and morals that guide every aspect of my volunteer work.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

My journey with Keep It Simple II began when I co-founded it as a small community robotics team, driven by a shared passion for robotics and technology among peers in my neighborhood. Initially focused on competitions, our vision quickly expanded when I recognized an opportunity to leverage our skills to address educational disparities in STEM.

I initiated partnerships with San Diego’s public libraries and schools to host community workshops. By recruiting and training volunteers from across San Diego, we built a citywide outreach initiative. This transformation from a competition-focused team into an impactful community STEM resource is a pivotal and meaningful aspect of my volunteer journey, reinforced by the leadership skills and ethical foundation gained from my Eagle Scout experiences.

Why is it important for the community to have access to resources like the library and STEM workshops?

Access to community resources like libraries and STEM workshops is essential because they provide equitable opportunities for young people to discover their passions and talents. Libraries offer safe, inclusive and familiar environments where anyone, regardless of socioeconomic background, can engage in hands-on learning. Our STEM workshops remove barriers to STEM education, making robotics and coding accessible to everyone. I have witnessed firsthand how these resources can significantly boost students’ self-confidence and inspire lifelong interest in science and technology, ultimately fostering a diverse, innovative and empowered future workforce.

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

My overarching goal is to create equitable and sustainable STEM learning experiences that ignite curiosity, build skills and inspire confidence in youth from all backgrounds. Specifically, I aim to expand the reach of our workshops to more communities across San Diego and beyond, develop a robust volunteer network to sustain these efforts long-term and integrate STEM programs into educational institutions permanently.

Another critical objective is to bridge technology resource gaps by repurposing retired equipment, ensuring every participant has the tools to succeed. Ultimately, I hope our workshops encourage young learners to pursue STEM careers and empower them to see themselves as capable innovators and creators.

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

One particularly memorable moment happened during a robotics workshop when a young participant initially struggled, hesitant and unsure of her abilities. Through encouragement, patience and guidance, she not only completed her robot but confidently explained its functions to the entire group, even demonstrating her creation in our final challenge. Witnessing her transformation—from self-doubt to proud accomplishment—reinforced my belief in the transformative power of STEM education and mentorship. Moments like these constantly remind me of the importance and profound impact of our volunteer work.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Volunteering has taught me invaluable lessons in empathy, leadership, perseverance and collaboration. I’ve learned that true leadership involves empowering others, creating opportunities for their growth and encouraging collective success. Volunteering also demands adaptability, especially when faced with unexpected challenges.

Additionally, volunteering has shown me how seemingly small actions can have significant impacts, inspiring me to continuously seek new and innovative ways to contribute positively. Most importantly, volunteering has deepened my understanding of diverse communities and reinforced my commitment to equity and inclusivity in education, all grounded in the ethical foundation instilled through my Eagle Scout journey.

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

Getting involved strengthens our communities by creating cycles of empathy, support and growth. When individuals share their time, talents or resources, they contribute to a culture of compassion and collective advancement. Volunteerism also enriches personal growth, fostering valuable life skills, new perspectives and meaningful relationships. I believe everyone has the potential to make a difference, regardless of scale. Encouraging others to give back ensures that communities continually thrive, creating pathways for future generations to achieve even more.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I hope people see from my story that meaningful impact doesn’t require abundant resources—just dedication, creativity and a willingness to act. My journey, from starting in robotics to securing internships with prestigious institutions such as Hyperplanar, UCSD and Northrop Grumman, illustrates a path available to anyone driven by curiosity and commitment. My experiences show that young people can identify community needs and proactively develop solutions. I want others to realize they have the power to ignite change, inspire others and cultivate inclusive opportunities through consistent effort and collaboration. Ultimately, I hope my journey motivates more people, especially youth, to step forward, pursue their passions and positively shape their communities.

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