This partnership introduces students to interdisciplinary STEAM learning—where science, technology, engineering, arts and math come together to tackle challenges that matter. From designing filtration systems for Mars to exploring climate solutions, our students work on the same problems MIT professors and researchers are addressing today. These experiences build critical thinking, collaboration and resilience—skills that prepare students for a fast-changing world.
Recently, one of our students, Ria Aggarwal, was selected from hundreds of applicants worldwide to attend the MIT Global Summit in Boston. This immersive program brought together bright minds from around the globe for a week of hands-on learning, workshops, and innovation.
To capture the excitement and depth of this experience, Ria recorded a personal journal throughout the trip. Here’s her story, in her own words:
The first day was all about introductions. We were given lanyards with an animal and color, then split into groups for a campus scavenger hunt. We solved puzzles and explored hidden corners of MIT—glass labs, art-filled tunnels and more. At the end, we learned about our big project: design something to be tested in zero gravity! One group would even have their idea flown on a real zero-gravity flight. I was blown away by the concept. After lunch at Maseeh Hall (where real MIT students eat), we toured the MIT Motorsports Club and saw their race car and massive machines. We ended the day with a duck boat tour of Boston—I even got to drive the boat!
We started with a talk from Fiona, a geology graduate student. Her analogy about Earth’s timeline stuck with me: if Earth’s history were one calendar year, humans have only been here for the last 82 seconds of December 31! Next, I attended a workshop at the Cancer Institute, learning about cutting-edge research. After lunch, we toured the Plasma Science and Fusion Center—seeing air plasma and a giant D magnet was surreal. Later, we brainstormed ideas for our zero-gravity project and ended the day with dinner at Cheesecake Factory and some shopping.
James, another graduate student, shared his inspiring journey from Australia to MIT, fueled by his passion for rockets. Then came the Climate Action Summit—an interactive challenge to keep global temperatures below 2°C. It taught me how interconnected everything is. My favorite workshop followed: ‘Catching Physics in the Act.’ Using 3D pens, we designed solutions for real-world problems. My group tackled water sliding off plant leaves and our design worked! We even made bubbles with it later. I loved using the 3D pen—it was so hands-on and creative.
Most of Thursday was spent developing our project. My group focused on muscle atrophy in astronauts. We proposed using hydrogel to improve electrical stimulation for muscles—a more efficient alternative to electrodes. I also got selected for an interview about the trip! The director said she could use all my answers for their promotional video, which made me so proud. We wrapped up the day at Boda Borg, an escape-room-style challenge that was insanely fun.
Friday was bittersweet. We presented our projects to judges (sadly, we didn’t win, but the experience was priceless). After lunch, we toured Harvard—its campus was stunning. Back at the hotel, we said goodbye to new friends from around the world.
- Written by Ria Aggarwal.
Experiences like this exemplify The Village School’s commitment to learning beyond the classroom. By connecting students with world-class institutions like MIT, we empower them to dream big, think boldly, and create solutions that shape the future.
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