“It’s just 7:00 in the morning,” I murmured as a sharp sound echoed through the crisp winter air. The biting cold engulfed me, but the day demanded my attention. I had to wake up and get dressed quickly, as I had been selected as a Data Scientist intern at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. After a grueling round of interviews and a thorough evaluation, Dr. Manmeet Singh selected me as his list’s sole high school student. I decided to make the most of my opportunity by demonstrating my abilities even as I absorbed all the information from this experience. I realized the experience required more than skill display because it demanded me to explore new weeds along with continuous personal development through each stride. I understood that this experience would provide meaningful learning opportunities beyond the assignments to the interpersonal interactions and day-to-day process dynamics. The experience taught me practical programming language applications for the first time.
When I entered the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology on my first day, I experienced a blend of feelings, including fear and enthusiasm. Of course, traversing through the crowded Delhi metro was just the first step I had to take! The early morning December chills couldn’t match the weight of what lay ahead—I was stepping into a space filled with experienced scientists, the only high schooler among them. It was a scary yet proud moment for me at the same time. I had spent weeks preparing for this, going through interviews and evaluations, but nothing compared to being there. As I met my mentor, Dr. Manmeet Singh, Scientist Rank-D, and the rest of the team, I realized this wasn’t just about working on a project. The work demanded intense dedication, and I couldn’t risk not meeting their expectations, which made me the individual I am today.
My time at the institute was more than mere technical tasks; it was a deep dive into collaboration. Working with scientists with years of expertise was both humbling and invigorating. I worked on a project that predicted India’s weather patterns using the VOLMIP CMIP-6 model. This research could significantly benefit farmers by forecasting the optimal crop types to sow, particularly under the influence of the El-Niño Southern Oscillation. As the team debated approaches, I suggested reorganizing the dataset into seasonal clusters, focusing on pre-monsoon variability. Dr. Manmeet, though polite, believed it was redundant, but I spent the next few hours running a comparative analysis between the standard method and my proposed categorization. The results revealed a sharper correlation and an improved predictive accuracy. Dr. Manmeet adopted my approach and acknowledged the value of fresh perspectives—even from someone without a degree.
I am smitten by the caliber of the brilliant scientists at IITM—this being my first internship, their intellect and finesse have left me in awe. The team of scientists I worked with inspired me on what I want my future to behold! Every dataset I analyzed, every discussion I had, and every challenge I faced has shaped a new lens through which I now see science—with more depth and an appreciation for the sheer brilliance of discovery and research. Have a chance to view my experiences and tour the state-of-the-art laboratory I worked in!
“It’s just 7:00 in the morning,” I murmured as a sharp sound echoed through the crisp winter air. The biting cold engulfed me, but the day demanded my attention. I had to wake up and get dressed quickly, as I had been selected as a Data Scientist intern at the
When I return from boarding school in Delhi, I initiate clothing donation drives because helping the community means everything. My first-hand experience shows that making small efforts leads to significant changes as I walk through my local community to gather items people no longer use, but others can benefit from.
Thank you to Mukalbari Model TE School and Principal Ms. Aparupa Phukan for enthusiastically welcoming STEMspire! Having interactive discussions with bright, curious minds from Grades 9 and 10, I could see the excitement in their eyes—the eagerness to explore the world of STEM education and its endless possibilities—something that I,
