The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC)   is the state’s hub for cybersecurity, operating under the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness . Every summer, NJCCIC runs high school internship programs — one for beginners, and one for students with prior cybersecurity experience. I participated in the Advanced Cybersecurity Internship Program , which ran from July through October. Over those months, I got to work on real-world c

Welcome to the second blog in my NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Award series! In my first post, I introduced NCWIT and its flagship program, the AiC Award , and discussed why its mission matters and how it empowers women to work in computational fields. In this post, I’ll discuss the application process, analyze what worked for me, and share tips and tricks to help you craft a standout submission! Whether you’re just getting started or looking for ways to make your app

Image Source: National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Welcome to the first post in my NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award series! In this blog, I’ll introduce the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and its flagship program, the Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Award . As a recipient of the National Honorable Mention AiC Award , I’ve had the chance to experience firsthand how this program celebrates achievements, creates mentorship,

Me Presenting at AJAS Poster Session After months of preparation, an intense few days of scientific immersion, and a 4.5-hour drive back home, I finally had the chance to sit down and process everything. AJAS wasn’t just another research event.  It wasn’t like ISEF, where you’re in competition mode, nor was it like a school science fair where people glance at your poster and move on. AJAS felt like stepping into the scientific world—not as a student, but as a researcher.  For

After months of anticipation and preparation, the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) 2025 conference  had officially begun. This wasn’t just another science fair—this was an event that brought together 162 of the top high school researchers   from across the country, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the professional world of science. For four days, we attended AAAS sessions, toured some of the top research institutions in Boston (MIT, Harvard, Northeastern, BU, and

For high school students passionate about scientific research, the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS)  offers one of the most prestigious opportunities to present their work and connect with top researchers, professionals, and like-minded peers. Every year, selected high school students from across the United States gather for the AJAS annual conference , held in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)  meeting—the world’s large

HackFRee 2025 Leadership Team (Source: FRHSD Media) As HackFRee 2025 wrapped up, it was clear that the event had a huge impact on both the participants and the organizing team. There were moments of brilliance, incredible projects, and lessons learned along the way. In this post, I’ll reflect on the event’s successes, share some feedback from participants, discuss areas for improvement, and offer advice for anyone looking to organize a hackathon in the future. Event Successes

Opening Ceremony (Source: Edmund Lee, Manalapan High School) After all the planning and preparation, the big day finally arrived: HackFRee 2025  was ready to go! From the early morning meet-and-greet with the 501st Legion   to the late-night judging and celebrations, the event was packed with energy, learning, and plenty of fun moments. In this post, I’ll walk you through the event structure, how participants engaged with the activities, and my personal role in making everyth

Past HackFRee Opening Ceremony Hackathons are intense , fast-paced events that bring together people to solve problems and showcase their creativity. Organizing one is no easy feat. As part of the leadership team for HackFRee 2025 , I had the opportunity to help plan, organize, and execute one. In this post, I’ll take you behind the scenes of how we made HackFRee 2025 a reality, focusing on the planning and organization process , my role , and the challenges we had to overc

In this third and final post of my CURIE Academy series, I’m diving into the bigger picture—what the program taught me, the pros and cons of attending, and whether it’s the right fit for you. From personal growth and hands-on learning to the realities of the program’s one-week structure, I’ll share my honest reflections to help future scholars make the most informed decision. If you’re curious about how CURIE Academy could shape your STEM journey or looking for advice, this

In this second post of my CURIE Academy series , I’m excited to take you beyond the application process and onto Cornell’s beautiful campus. From the nervous excitement of meeting my fellow scholars to participating in hands-on workshops and field sessions, this week was packed with unforgettable moments that brought engineering to life. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to spend a week immersed in engineering at one of the nation’s top universities, join me as I

CURIE '24 at Cornell Orchards (Source: Matt Hayes/CROPPS) In this first post of my CURIE Academy series , I'm excited to introduce you to Cornell University’s CURIE Academy—a program that provides high school students like me with an intensive, immersive experience in STEM. From hands-on engineering projects to insightful field sessions led by Cornell’s top faculty, CURIE Academy is designed to inspire and support the next generation of STEM innovators, especially those from