October 2024 

In collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations and ZeroWaste.org, Tanay hosted the Neighborhood Swap Day event on October 6th,  2024 in the Dhu Warren neighborhood. This initiative brought together community members to promote sustainability through item swapping, offering a unique way to reduce waste while helping those in need. 

Event Highlights:

Date: October 6th 2024

Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Item drop-off starts at 10 a.m.)

Location: Dhu Warren Neighborhood, Ann Arbor

Items donated: approx 400 items. 

What to Bring: Participants were encouraged to bring items they no longer need but are still in good condition. Accepted items included: 

Clothing, Accessories, and Footwear

Home Decor, Linens, and Kitchen Supplies

Sporting Goods. 

Books, Games, Puzzles, and Toys

Bags for taking items home

Importantly, there was no requirement to donate to bring items—organizers emphasize that both actions are equally vital. 

Giving Back: Any extra donated items were donated to ptso thrift store, ensuring that nothing goes to waste and that resources are shared with those who need them most.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this eco-friendly initiative and helped our environment and community! Stay tuned for more events in the future!

1. National Stem Champion Award for Environmental Stewardship 2024 www.koin.com/business/press-releases/cision/20240213PH34091/explr-announces-top-student-innovators-named-first-ever-national-stem-champions/ 

2. National Stem Champion Award for Environmental Stewardship 2025 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/explr-announces-top-student-innovators-named-national-stem-champions-302335311.html

3. Student Council Member of National Stem Festival 1 out of 12  https://www.nationalstemfestival.com/advisory-committee 

4. Congressional Innovation Award 2025 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/explr-announces-top-student-innovators-named-national-stem-champions-302335311.html

5. Certificate of achievement award from Michigan Governer for Stem Innovation: IoT-based AI-Aeriation for optimal MFC energy generation and wastewater treatment.

6. PVSA gold for more than 250+ hours of volunteering 

7. Certificate of Appreciation for being a Mentor and Coach for FirstInspires

8.  Lego League Robotics Competition: Building Robots for Ocean Conservation news.a2schools.org/king-elementary-students-shine-in-robotics-competition-at-first-lego-league-competition/ 

September 2024

E-Waste Drive: A Step Towards Sustainable Electronics Disposal : September 2024

On Saturday, September 21, 2024, E-Waste Drive was organized by STEAMfun4Kids at the Barclay Clubhouse, Ann Arbor. This initiative aimed to promote responsible electronics disposal and reduce the environmental impact of e-waste. 

Event Overview

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents were invited to bring their unwanted electronics, including old computers, smartphones, and small appliances. The event was successfully collected with active participation from older community members. Volunteers assisted attendees and provided information about the dangers of improper disposal.“The goal of the E-Waste Drive is to raise awareness about e-waste and its environmental impact,” said Tanay Panja. “We’re grateful to everyone in Ann Arbor, especially our older residents, who made this event a success.”

What Was Collected

The drive successfully collected a variety of items, including:

• Old computers and laptops

• Cell phones and tablets

• Monitors and TVs

• Printers and scanners

• Cables and chargers

All collected items were recycled at a local Staples store, ensuring safe and responsible disposal. 

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this initiative. Together, we can make a significant impact on our environment! Stay tuned for more sustainability events in the future.

(July-August 2024)

Tanay organized and hosted a series of robotics workshops and online coding workshops during the summer of 2023-2024, providing students with valuable hands-on learning experiences in the field of robotics and coding. These workshops were a great success, raising a total of $2,400.

The funds collected from these workshops were donated to the Ann Arbor PTO Council to support Title 1 schools in Michigan. The donation was used to enhance STEM education, provide essential supplies, and promote greater equity across the district, ensuring that all students have access to quality educational resources and opportunities.