A Scientist’s Journey into Classrooms

Hi, I’m Shallu, a final-year PhD student at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand and someone who believes that science should never stay locked inside labs and research papers. At my core, I’m passionate about sharing knowledge — whether it’s through scientific outreach, mentoring future scholars, or creating educational content. This passion inspired me to co-found Grab a PhD (GAP), where I mentor students in bridging the gap between ambition and action: helping them master the art of reaching out to potential supervisors with confidence and clarity. I also share snippets of my journey and lessons learned through my YouTube channel, @say_hi_to_serotonin — a creative space where I blend science, learning, and positivity. But when I first joined Galactic Polymath’s Pacific H₂O project, I had no idea how deeply it would shape my journey — not just as a scientist, but as an educator and communicator.

Building Learning Materials: A Hands-On Adventure

Pacific H₂O isn’t just a high school lab activity — it’s an immersive experience designed to make STEM both accessible and meaningful for students. At its heart, it focuses on water testing and treatment through a hands-on, four-lesson unit, complete with a "choose your own path" digital game where students face real-world challenges. Celebrating Pacific Island cultures through artwork, proverbs, and resources, it weaves science and storytelling together beautifully.

When I first learned about it, I immediately felt a spark — the kind you feel when you just know something aligns with your purpose.I joined the development team where my primary role was to create, refine, and film the laboratory experiments that would eventually be used by teachers and students. From preparing chemical solutions (sometimes spending long afternoons tweaking methods) to filming and editing educational videos, I was involved at every stage, ensuring the activities would be smooth, safe, and inspiring for young learners. 

It wasn’t always easy — there were moments the videos didn’t turn out right, or experiments needed multiple trials — but the vision of inspiring students kept me moving forward.

Bringing Science to Classrooms

Once the labs were ready, we moved into outreach — and that’s where the real magic happened. I had the privilege of conducting outreach across Christchurch schools, demonstrating the labs at a University of Canterbury teacher training day, and delivering engaging sessions at three Indian schools and one Tongan school.

Each visit was a completely new adventure! In Christchurch, students excitedly explored water contamination challenges. In India, I saw firsthand how relatable, hands-on activities could spark curiosity even in classrooms with minimal resources. In Tonga, cultural storytelling blended beautifully with science experiments, deepening students’ connection to their environment.

Along the way, I captured these precious moments through photos and videos — laughter over experiments, thoughtful faces solving problems, and the pure joy of discovery. Watching students recognize how science ties directly to their communities and cultures was the most powerful reward.📸

Overcoming Challenges and Becoming a Better Scientist

Of course, this journey wasn’t without challenges. Each school and classroom were different — different equipment, different space constraints, and different learning needs. Some experiments had to be adapted on the fly; sometimes technology didn’t cooperate; sometimes explaining scientific concepts needed extra creativity to match students’ perspectives. However, being flexible, patient, and ready with backup plans made these challenges manageable. In fact, they became opportunities to grow — forcing me to become a better communicator, a quicker problem-solver, and a more empathetic mentor. 

Despite the hurdles, the success stories far outweighed the struggles.

One vivid memory is of a student who exclaimed, "This is the first time I actually felt like a science student!"

after successfully treating contaminated water during one of our labs. Teachers shared how the hands-on nature of the activities reignited students’ enthusiasm for science, especially among those who usually found it intimidating. These moments — captured in the photos and videos — showed the real-world impact of Pacific H₂O, not just as a lesson plan, but as a catalyst for confidence and inspiration. 

This outreach experience was also transformational for me personally. It stretched my ability to explain complex ideas in ways that young students could grasp without losing the depth of the science. It deepened my respect for teachers who foster this magic every day. Most importantly, it reminded me that as scientists, we have a responsibility not just to generate knowledge, but to share it in ways that empower the next generation to imagine and build a better future. 

Working with Galactic Polymath

A big part of why this journey was so rewarding was working with Galactic Polymath. Their ready-to-go, carefully crafted resources made it easy to walk into any classroom with confidence. They put accessibility, cultural relevance, and innovation at the heart of their work — and that spirit elevated my contributions too.

Because of how meaningful the Pacific H₂O experience was, I was thrilled to collaborate again on another incredible unit: "Mā te rauhiringa tātou e ora: Powerful Solutions," the Energy Unit! ⚡ This unit teaches students about energy systems through a hands-on power-generating lab, a web app exploring resilient energy mixes, and inspiring stories of Māui’s legendary innovations. It’s a celebration of Māori leadership in sustainability, and a call to imagine a better energy future.

In Powerful Solutions, we introduced students to hydro energy, geothermal energy, and fossil fuels — highlighting not just the technologies, but the values that can guide sustainable engineering choices. 🌊🌋⛽

Final Reflections

Reflecting on my experiences with Pacific H₂O and Powerful Solutions, I’m more convinced than ever that K–12 outreach isn’t just an “extra” — it’s an essential part of being a scientist today.

When we share our passion and expertise with young learners, we’re not just teaching facts; we’re planting seeds of curiosity, resilience, and possibility.

We’re helping students see that science isn’t just for labs and textbooks — it’s for them, their communities, and their futures. 

If you’re a scientist wondering whether outreach is worth your time, I can tell you: it absolutely is. It will challenge you, humble you, and in the end, transform you in ways you can’t even imagine. And who knows — it might just become the most rewarding part of your scientific journey. 🚀