Discovering Illuminate Edu: An Introduction to our Mission

By Briana Ahmad

Edited by Isabella Phillips

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What Defines Illuminate Edu 

Illuminate Edu, founded in 2024, is a youth-led 501(c)3 organization aimed to create an interactive and engaging educational experience for all students. 

In addition to pursuing our mission focused on strengthening critical thinking skills, we also foster a love of learning. Children are challenged to participate in hands-on workshops on areas such as, STEM, reading, math, and more. At its core, accessibility has always been the root of our mission which breaks the barriers that hinder a student’s fundamental right to learn. By providing the instruction and tools necessary to students of all ages, we are contributing to the empowerment of leaders and innovators of tomorrow. 

We target all families of all backgrounds, prioritizing diversity and inclusivity. Through the offering of accessible and enriching  programs, children are pushed to their highest potential. Recognizing achievement and personal growth has tremendously increased the yields of engagement and creativity by celebrating the success of students and encouraging them to take initiative. Through this program, high school and college students are also driving change through the variety of mentorship and volunteer opportunities we provide. Our highly skilled mentors play a critical role in providing expertise in a wide range of subjects and strive to empower young voices. Volunteers serve as the backbone to our organization that helps it reach its full capabilities by facilitating the smooth running of events and publication of educational content. 

Through the collaboration of our team, we hope this organization will extend to the lengths of impoverished communities and create accessible opportunities for all. 

Milestones & Memories 

Illuminate Edu prides itself on hosting notable programs and events that inspire students to explore their interests and passions. From science to art, we offer numerous workshops that incite curiosity and cultivate innovation. While we do provide structured lessons, students are encouraged to freely use their creativity to create something impactful for their community. Such events could not have come to fruition without the help of fundraisers and donations, which allowed us to expand our reach to help more children flourish. 

Santa’s Biology Workshop 

In the perfect mix of holiday cheer and science, elementary students explored different labs centered around biology that emphasized real-world applications of knowledge. The examination of microorganisms through gingerbread houses, dissection of various aspects of a plant, construction of DNA models to explain the functions of the genetic instructions of life, and observation of capillary action firsthand, were all activities that allowed students to think critically and question the world around them. 

Gwen Mackey (left) and Rora Li (right) demonstrating DNA structure at Santa's Biology Workshop

Race into Engineering 

Speeding into the fields of engineering, students applied the three branches of the field and explored the design process through meaningful labs. Students practiced mechanical engineering by constructing catapults, an activity that encouraged trial and error. By hosting a friendly competition to measure the success of each catapult, students took on the mindset of an engineer, while partaking in fun with fellow learners! The exploration of circuits, conductors, insulators, and the behavior of electricity pushed students to think outside the box. Lastly, chemical engineering was studied through the process of creating simple chemical reactions to fuel a car. During this activity, students learned how the use of chemical reactions can create useful products such as food and fuel. 

Jiya Dhondale (front left) and Apaar Bajaj (back left) mentoring at Race Into Engineering

Edu Summer Quest 

In the summer of 2025, we proudly hosted a three-weekend educational program with an astounding turnout of fifty-two students ranging from grades three through six. The daily schedule consisted of an engaging warm-up which transitioned into team-building exercises and brainstorming activities. They were tasked with working on projects they eventually shared with their peers, promoting teamwork and problem-solving. 

The first week of the program was centered around STEM and sustainability. We illustrated the harmful effects of environmentally destructive practices and allotted time for students to brainstorm solutions on issues they valued the most. With the collaboration of the students, they were able to design prototypes to solve real-world problems, developing an awareness of ecological issues and beneficial presentation skills. 

Additionally, our second week of the camp focused on art and literacy, unveiling the writer within our students. Participants learned how to structure personal narratives, using their creativity and literary skills to create outstanding pieces! 

Lastly, a day was dedicated for students to grasp the significance of the growing fields of AI and computer science. Students learned basic functions of code and demonstrated their knowledge through creations made with outlets such as code.org and Scratch. The end result was the formation of coding projects in the form of music, websites, and games.

Day one of Edu Summer Quest

Funding a Future of Connectivity 

In order to plan and execute elaborate events, we held two successful fundraisers that generated an ample amount of funds and connected families in the Triangle. 

First, we organized a bake sale where volunteers baked treats and goodies to sell  to families in local neighborhoods. Next, we partnered with Krispy Kreme to fund Edu Summer Quest by selling donut dozens . In only ten days, we were able to sell forty-eight dozen donuts to families across the area.

As a result of these fundraisers, we were able to raise over $1000, an amount that exceeded our expectations! Due to the high demands from eager parents and the extra funds we raised, Illuminate Edu is introducing a tutoring program, offering an accessible price of $15 per hour. Our volunteers will be esteemed members of school organizations such as Key Club, making them well-suited to provide an enriching experience for students. Hosting fundraisers throughout the year has allowed our organization to flourish, allowing us to connect with the community and introduce new programs that will help us provide more support to students in the Triangle. 

Behind the Vision: A Talk With the Founder 

From its creation to where it is  today, Illuminate has stood on its mission of quality education and accessibility for all students, regardless of background. Jahnvi Bansal, the founder and president of Illuminate, has always strived to ensure that education is attainable for all. She believes that, “education breaks the cycle of poverty.” Through her work with graduate and PhD students, she has been able to observe the impact teachers and mentors had on developing minds. Bansal explains how they “created a mindset that fostered curiosity and looked at all angles.” Although figuring out how to start making a difference proved to be an overwhelming and daunting task, she has found strength and viable connections through community. She noted that to be able to form such relationships, “people need to see the impact you are creating in order to expand your mission.” 

Illuminate Edu has upheld its lasting influence on quality educational opportunities to elementary school students, hosting summer quests and workshops that give them the space to think outside the box. However, the organization has since expanded to reach older students as well. She said, “I noticed how high school students also want to make the best out of their education. I wanted to expand in a way that [allowed them to] collaborate with the foundation and establish a platform in which they could demonstrate their leadership skills.” 

High school students are able to impact their community by joining our tutoring program or writing educational articles for our community allowing for the development of leadership skills while making a difference.

While the foundation holds pride in our accomplishments, we recognize there is work to be fulfilled. The current focus is shifted towards building the community of learners while also maintaining the values of accessibility within every corner of our community. With a wider and tighter-knit community, children are able to collaborate with others and work through problems in their projects. As Bansal reiterated, “the most touching thing, however, was seeing the students have FUN while learning.” 

Discover Programs

A Glimpse into the Future 

Our mission is far from done. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and expand their enthusiasm in learning, which requires us to continue to expand our reach. Through consistent fundraising and tutoring programs, we hope which would allow learners to deepen their knowledge through a hands-on activity. Behind the scenes, we are cultivating invigorating activities that will expand to other students and building a vibrant environment

Our website will feature educational blogs, articles, and opportunities published by writers who are dedicated to informing others of our cause. 

We are beyond ecstatic to continue our work with families throughout the Triangle, especially with the launch of our tutoring program. We look forward to seeing what comes next, but in the meantime, welcome to our community — where we make learning a lifelong adventure for all.