Star Power: Anirudh Rao

Meet Service Star Anirudh Rao, 14. Anirudh organizes educational workshops for kids. These workshops combine STEM and history, and emphasize the importance of kindness. TFK reader Shrinika Kalbhavi spoke with Anirudh about how he encourages kids to stay curious and make a difference.

What inspired you to start organizing educational workshops for kids?

A few years ago, a tornado destroyed a friend’s home in Nashville, Tennessee. That experience inspired me to use science to solve real-world problems. I also realized that ideas from history can inspire inventions. I love sharing what I learn with younger students because I believe I learn from them, too.

Why do you think it’s important for kids to learn about science, history, and kindness together?

Those three subjects help build future leaders. History teaches us how people solved problems in the past. Science helps us create new solutions. Kindness gives us the empathy to use those solutions to help others. Together, they prepare students to make a positive impact.

What challenges have you faced while leading workshops and community projects?

When I first started teaching, I was only 6 or 7 years old, so many people thought I was too young. I also had to learn how to make STEM topics engaging.

What does kindness mean to you?

To me, kindness means the future. If we teach values like honesty, respect, responsibility, and empathy early, we can build a generation that cares for people, animals, and the planet.

If a kid wanted to make a difference in their community, what advice would you give them?

Just start. If you begin something, commit to finishing it. My dad always says, “If you have more, you give more.” If you already have the passion to help others, trust yourself and take that first step.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.