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Social Initiatives

Shivani
Arul Chandra

Student | Innovator | Storyteller | Environmental Advocate

This is me

I am a STEM aficionado with a special passion for sustainability. My love for problem-solving makes me an innovator who thrives outside their comfort zone. Deeply invested in social justice and mental health, I am storyteller of all sorts. As a student, I am a tenacious seeker of knowledge constantly looking for new ways to learn. I aspire to become an engineer who can craft to sustainable, social innovations.

—  Technical Skills  —

Java    Python    HTML    CSS    JavaScript

Research    Data Analysis    Scientific Writing

Design Thinking    Innovation

Photoshop    Canva 

Digital Marketing    Growth Strategy

Environmental Stewardship

—  Soft Skills  —

Leadership    Project Management
Critical Thinking    Problem-Solving
Public Speaking    Communication
Attention to Detail    Teamwork
Global Awareness    Storytelling
Relationship Building    Writing

Achievements

Obtained an All-India & Abroad merit position of 6 and rank of 561 placing me in the top 0.2% of the exam takers. Placed 1st in the district and 3rd in the state merit-wise with an aggregate of 98.80% in the ICSE Grade X Exams 2022.

1 of  the 25 select south-asian students to attend the prestigious PROMYS India 2023 at IISc Bangalore with full scholarship.

Won Bronze Honour at the International Youth Math Challenge 2022.

Awarded as the Best Speaker at the CISCE State Debate Competition 2021; represented Tamil Nadu in the National Edition.

Research & Summer Programs

PROMYS India, IISc Bangalore

PROMYS India was truly a transformative experience.

 

The daily lectures with Prof. Ila Varma, daily reflections and mini-courses from world-class counselors, and frequent guest lectures from globally-renowned mathematicians, all filled with me a sense of awe and excitement for the limitless possibilities that lie ahead!

The PROMYS community helped me find a great sense of belonging. Surrounded by peers who shared my love for numbers, I felt an instant connection and found myself engaged in passionate math discussions. The friendships we forged over late-night problem-solving sessions and midnight meals will forever hold a special place in my heart.


PROMYS challenged me to think critically, communicate effectively, and persevere in the face of complex problems — a set of skills that will undoubtedly be useful in my future. It went beyond academics, and made me a better human.

Here's to loving mathematics and making a positive impact in the world!

Self-Paced Summer Program, Girls Who Code

From learning how to use the data science pipeline and writing data stories to understanding how to design websites, I learnt a lot within the 6 weeks of the SPP and enjoyed every minute of it.

 

By introducing me to a vibrant community women technologists through forums, webinars, and the courses itself, the programme has left me inspired me the creativity and ingenuity of female technologists.

 

As I navigate the tech world as an aspiring engineer I found invaluable encouragement and camaraderie at the Girls Who Code community.

Independent Scholar's Programme, Milan Global

The ISP programme with Growing Young not only honed my research and analytical skills but also deepened my understanding of the complexities surrounding aging.

 

Building the research database strengthened my ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize data effectively.

 

Meanwhile, completing on an independent project on that studied health tracking systems and how their one-size-fits-all-approach can be humanised helped me practice innovative thinking and problem solving.

Thinking Ahead Programme, 
TEDI London: The Engineering & Design Institute London

Through Thinking Ahead, I got to learn foundational engineering theories and then apply them in practical settings, emphasizing empathy and innovation through a the hands-on project of designing The Snowflake, a sustainable floating community space for individuals with mental health issues.

The programme introduced me to the interdisciplinary aspects of materials sciences & engineering and sustainability, deepening my appreciation for the interconnectedness of these fields.

 

This, in fact, is one of the key experiences that has helped me understand how I can combine my passion for science and commitment to the environment to solve social problems and contribute to my community.

 

The exposure I gained through this programme combined with a few other experiences has fueled my aspiration to pursue a career in materials sciences.

​Summer School on Usefulness of Remote Sensing
& GIS in Environmental Studies,  
Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, ISRO Dehradun

After reading about remote sensing and GIS at school, I took up the summer school to further understand its role in addressing environmental challenges. Taught by some of the most renowned Indian scientists and professors, the programme helped me understand the fundamental principles of remote sensing and GIS and deepened my knowledge and passion for utilising technology for environmental conservation and sustainability.

One of the youngest people to assist a C-Level Executive (at age 16).

Obtained C1 Advanced English certification as early as seventh grade.

Honoured as the Outstanding Delegate at the SOUL MUN 2022.

​Animation Movie-Making & Storytelling, 
Theia International e.V. & Soulify

As I learnt animation techniques, I met several beautiful beings from around the world. I joined and walked into the animation masterclass with no expectations, not knowing anyone in the group. However, over the next few days of the masterclass, I formed a special bond of friendship with each person in the group and they have been some of the most rewarding creative relationships I've ever had.

Talking, playing games, telling stories, watching films, animating... we did it all. Each day, listening to fascinating ideas, new stories, and various experiences, we learned that the place we live doesn't matter and that no matter how far we live or how different we are, our feelings and hearts are connected together. 

​Nurture Nature Camp, Siruthuli, Coimbatore

The Nurture Nature camp helped me understand my city's local ecosystem and the need for its preservation through hands-on sessions covering thematic areas like water, forests, and waste management. As a part of the camp, I visited places like the Vellalore dumpyard and the Ukkadam wetlands, and these visits helped me realise the impact of unsustainable development in my city. The camp changed perception that environmental problems belonged to a faraway land and sparked my active commitment for climate advocacy.

Appreciated by the then Minister for Municipal Administration and City Corporation Commissioner for co-presenting research on "Sustainable Paper Composting Using Termites" at the Clean Coimbatore Conclave 2018.

Research Papers

Pick's Formula and Euler's Theorem

Co-authored during PROMYS India 2023, this paper explores the Pick’s formula and the Euler's theorem and the beautiful relationships between the number of fundamental units of any figure to the area and the number of triangles contained in it exhibited by them both. This paper presents the general overview on these formulae in 2-D and 3-D, describes their proofs in 2-D, and also proposes and proves an extended version of Euler's theorem.

In Their Element: A Deep Dive into Green Chemistry

This paper covers the concepts of design and the scientific philosophy of Green Chemistry with some of the finest works done in the field illustrated as examples. Green Chemistry has a framework of a cohesive set of Twelve Principles, which have been systematically surveyed in this review. The timeline of Green Chemistry from its origin to its present state and future trends has also been discussed in this project

Impact of Hormones on Women's Mental Health

The mental health of women is an intricate domain deeply intertwined with their hormonal physiology. By examining existing literature, conducting a survey, and analyzing data, this investigatory project seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how hormonal changes affect women's mental health. It aims to analyze the connections between hormone fluctuations and mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

School Extra-Curricular

Social Responsibility Club

MC Team

Senior Dance Team

Astronomy Club

Bond Beyond Boundaries

In both 2019 and 2020, I was co-responsible for organizing activities that allowed for them to connect with our local culture and it was astonishing to see how strong a bond we could build in the few days we were together. This is one of my early experiences that made me fall in love with getting to know people from diverse cultures.

Entrepreneurship Hub

Vice President, K'sirs Student Council

​Collecter & Curator, Herbarium Team

​In class 11, I teamed up with my classmates to co-establish the school herbarium under the guidance of my biology teacher. Surrounded by several species of endangered native plants, we started this project to both document and understand the plants around our school campus. Over the months, we collected and curated more than 200 flora samples.

From carefully picking the samples and drying them using newspapers to mounting the samples and cataloguing them, each stage of the project has taught me a valuable lessons on patience and consistency. Working on the herbarium team also helped me develop a significant appreciation for scientific protocols and study methodologies.

​Head Editor, Studio K'sirs

Internships

Volunteering

​​Leader, Singer & Guitarist, K'sirs Music Band

​Senior Blogger, K'sirs Press

​Passionate about storytelling and writing, I find immense happiness in narrating my daily environmental experiences at school and writing about topics that matter to me, like sustainability, STEM, social justice and mental health.

Read my blogs at K'sirs Press.

​Student Council Volunteer, K'sirs Student Council

​Youth Ambassador & Peer Mentor, Action 4 Happy Kids (A4HK)

Working to build A4HK community focused on children's happiness was on of the most rewarding opportunities I have been a part of. I got to meet a lot young people from around the world and have conversations about child rights and positive change. This journey strengthens not only taught me a lot of skills including community building, white paper writing, etc. but also reinforced my belief in collective action.

​Sprint Volunteer, CRY India

​Research & Design Intern, IMERXN

My journey alongside industry mentor Krish Srikant in developing affordable prosthetic hands for Indian amputees was truly enlightening. Exploring design thinking, biomechanics, and prosthetic design broadened my technical prowess and deepened my empathy for user needs.
 
Collaborating with medical professionals and prosthetic users provided invaluable insights, emphasizing the significance of user-centric design. This experience ignited a profound passion for materials sciences, particularly in design engineering. It propelled me towards the path of studying materials sciences, where I'm driven not only by academic pursuits but also by a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

​Key Accounts Assistant, Anja Carron,
G100 Global Chair for Circular Economy

In my role as Anja Carron's Key Accounts Assistant for the G100 Global Chair of Circular Economy, I've gained invaluable experience in cross-cultural communication, key account management, and event planning, while honing my understanding of sustainable leadership and enhancing my skills in communicating with C-suite executives worldwide.
 
Collaborating closely with Anja has offered unique insights into sustainable leadership practices and the intricacies of engaging with top-level executives. This experience has not helped me make strong high-level connections but has also provided a solid foundation for personal growth within the sustainability field, empowering me to make meaningful contributions to global initiatives.

Community Catalyst, Youth 4 Circular Future

Project Manager, Milan Global

My journey at Milan Global showcases a dynamic progression from storytelling apprentice to data entry intern, culminating in my current role as a project manager. Initially, I engaged in storytelling, amplifying narratives that make slow change happen faster.

As I delved deeper, I transitioned to become a project manager, leading the productisation and templatisation of The Growthosphere Simulations. Overseeing this project aimed at empowering youth and fostering positive change has helped me build leadership and adaptability skills, a growth mindset, and a commitment to driving meaningful impact within the organization and the community at large.

Math Anthology

This anthology comprises a collection of 6 research papers, each delving into different branches of mathematics, ranging from algebra and complex numbers to geometry, number theory:

  1. The Equability Factor

  2. The Marble Proposition

  3. Interpretation of i Using the Argand Plane

  4. Construction of Ellipses Using the Foci Method

  5. Addition and Multiplication in Integer Modulo Integer Number Systems

  6. Scalar and Vector Triple Products and their Geometrical Interpretation

Chemical Energetics

This paper provides an in-depth exploration of the principles and applications of chemical energetics governing chemical reactions. It discusses key concepts like enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, and Helmholtz free energy, highlighting their role in determining the spontaneity and feasibility of chemical processes. The thermodynamic laws governing these concepts are explained, laying the groundwork for a deeper understanding of chemical reactions. The paper also addresses applications in sustainability, chemical engineering, materials science, and biochemistry.

The ‘NeeeeeoowwM’ Effect

This project explores the concept of the Doppler Effect, its principles and mechanisms. It discusses the phenomenon's significance in various contexts, from sound waves produced by moving vehicles to light waves emitted by celestial objects. Additionally, the paper explores the applications of the Doppler Effect in understanding motion and advancing technology across a wide range of disciplines.

Volunteering

Verification and Analysis of Background Radiation Using a Diffusion Cloud Chamber

Everywhere around us, there's radiation bombarding everything, even as you read this! Pew! Pew! But don't worry, it's completely safe. We can't see, hear, or feel these particles, but they're always there. They're called background radiation and they might even travel through you without ever interacting with the molecules in your body. This project presents the verification and analysis of such background radiation. By using a diffusion cloud chamber, the project aims to visualize and quantify the radiation particles' trajectories and thus, study the nature and randomness of background radiation.

English Anthology

This anthology consists of 12 carefully crafted feature articles each reviewing the stories, poems, plays, movies, and television shows I have consumed in the past years or various themes or characters from them:

  1. Portia: A Renaissance Anomaly

  2. Frivolous Yet Precious: The Rings in The Merchant of Venice

  3. The Patriot: A Tale From An Overlooked Genre

  4. Jesse Owens: The Buckeye Bullet His-Story

  5. Zootopia: An Ambitious Bunny, a Witty Red Fox and a World Where Anyone Can Be Anything

  6. Unveiling Prospero: A Closer Look on the Magic, Morality, and Mortality of the Tempestuous Magus

  7. The Fishermen's Code: Steering Through the Character of Salvatore and His Lessons on Goodness

  8. Unpacking the Beautiful Complexity of Assunta: A Reflection on Love, Life, and Labels

  9. The Big Bang Theory Dissection

  10. Miranda: An Odyssey of Love, Power, and Forgiveness

  11. Dover Beach: Navigating the Ebb and Flow of Life

  12. Mrs. Louise Mallard: The Heart of the Matter

Storyteller, Milan Global

Social Media Manager, Become Peaceful

The Environment and Sustainability Anthology

This anthology presents seven research reports examining topics about the environment and sustainability, ranging from biodiversity and ecosystems to waste management and environmental policy:

  1. The Three Gorges Dam: The Dream of Every Chinese Leader

  2. Anna Hazare and Ralegan Siddhi: A Committed Community

  3. Hazardous Wastes: An Overview

  4. Wildlife Conservation in India

  5. Panthera tigris: An Endangered Species

  6. Extinction: The Great Auk and The Po’ouli

  7. Jim Corbett National Park: The Land of Roars, Trumpets and Songs

Understanding UNICEF

This is a detailed report on the contributions of one of the main agencies of the United Nations – UNICEF. It captures the UNICEF's timeline from its inception to impression and maps its programmes and contributions.

Dark Matter: Matter That Can’t Be Touched

Observations of galaxy clusters reveal behaviors inconsistent with current theories, prompting investigation into Dark Matter. Despite lacking direct evidence, strong indirect confirmations exist. This co-written paper explores Dark Matter's elusive nature and detection methods to predict galaxy properties.

The Kings of India

Tamil research report on the lives of two Indian kings: Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Maharana Pratap. Known for their valour, the reports chronicle the kings' fight for freedom and independence from invaders.

Founder and Principal Executive @ Vizhi

Vizhi, pronounced as /vih•lee/, means “eye”, "to wake up" or “wisdom” in Tamil, and embodies our unwavering commitment towards our shared vision for a sustainable world.

In grade 6, a visit to my city's garbage dump yard revealed to me the overlooked reality of unsustainable development around me. From heavy metal pollution in the once-vibrant Noyyal River and 30+ wetland ecosystems to birds’ changing migratory patterns, it was like uncovering a secret nexus of environmental issues.

 

Realizing the importance of sustainability, I started actively learning about and advocating for green practices one can adopt in  life only to realize it is very difficult to identify the different green solutions out there because they are fragmented and lack a centralized platform. 

 

Wondering about the impact these solutions could create if they were all available together in a single space, I founded Vizhi, a platform that can bridge this gap. Aiming to make sustainability a convenient lifestyle and household practice, Vizhi provides access to comprehensive information on sustainable living and empowers users to make informed sustainable consumer choices. 

Co-Conceptualiser 
@ ∫Vinaiyūkkikal

∫Vinaiyūkkikal, read as /integration of we•neigh•you•ghee•kuhl/, means “integration of the catalysts of tomorrow” in Tamil, and represents the culture of ownership, collaboration and community we want to build. 

∫Vinaiyūkkikal is a student leader collective that conducts one-day, interactive, activity-based leadership workshops designed for students

who can't access and/or afford other leadership skills development programmes. Recognising the vitality of leadership skills in the 21st, we conceptualised ∫Vinaiyūkkikal with the vision to empower all young minds with the opportunity to understand and master the art of leadership.


After months of research, we designed the most effective and interactive one-day workshop we could covering 5 core competencies of leadership: Self-awareness, Self-management, Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-making and Relationship Skills.
 

We conducted the first iteration of the workshop at the TKS Higher Secondary School in April, 2023.

Storyteller and Film-maker

@ The Sunny Solution

Reached 800+ individuals and raised awareness about mental health amongst them through "The Sunny Solution."

I wrote and filmed “The Sunny Solution,”  an animation short-film that follows a little cloud that is black unlike all the other clouds. Being an odd standout, he is always bullied and laughed upon. On this day, events escalate quickly when his parents fail to understand him, making him feel hopeless and meaningless. However, the unexpected entry of a little compassion and support, changes his life.

 

Inspired by my experience of seeing people being shamed for taking care of their mental health, this film is less about why and how mental health issues should be dealt with; instead, it explores a little cloud’s experience when he is suddenly and senselessly thrown into such peril. At its heart, the film is about the journey of a little being who is punished for his individuality.

​Mental health has always been important for me and "Sunny Solution" is my way of showing how a little care and support can change lives. 

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