Through the Next Generation Service Corps (NGSC) Science, Technology, and Innovation Mission Team, I engaged in service-learning focused on advancing STEM equity in Arizona. I contributed to research and outreach initiatives to increase K–12 STEM participation in underserved communities using the 4-3-2-1 framework (4 learning, 3 networking, 2 service, and 1 action). Grounded in ASU’s design aspiration of Principled Innovation, this experience combined leadership development, cross-sector collaboration, and service to address systemic educational disparities. 

Mission Teams are groups of NGSC students who work together to explore and address specific social issues that interest them. Mission Teams engage in student-led exploration and research and collaborate with community partners.

This service-learning experience directly supports the Joy of Living theme by promoting equitable access to education and empowering future generations through STEM opportunities.  The experience reinforced that engineering and technology must be leveraged not only for innovation but also for inclusion and societal advancement. 

In PAF 215: Community Impact Lab, I engaged in hands-on service learning through a human-centered design partnership with Dsquared Homes for the Homeless. I helped his team research, interview community stakeholders, and co-develop strategies to expand the nonprofit’s Plarn Program, which creates sleeping mats from recycled plastic bags. The team conducted secondary research, structured interviews, and stakeholder mapping to address challenges in networking, awareness, and long-term program sustainability. This process integrated empathy, systems thinking, and applied research to translate academic learning into actionable community solutions. 

This experience directly advances the Joy of Living theme by improving the quality of life for individuals experiencing homelessness through sustainable, community-driven innovation. By strengthening partnerships with schools, libraries, and local organizations, I helped expand access to essential resources and promote environmental responsibility through recycling initiatives.