For the summer of 2025, Gloria Yu—the founder and president of STEM Illustrated—received The Lawrenceville School’s Welles Award Grant to pursue an independent project titled “Empowering Environmental Activism through Art.” The award was established in the memory of William Bouton Welles ’71, honoring students “whose proposals stand out for their innovation, excellence, and potential” (Lawrenceville 2025 Welles Award Recipients).

 

For Yu’s project, she organized five workshops for local and international youth. She also hosted various informal art sessions for children in her town.  In three in-person workshops, Yu engaged children from K-6th grade in hands-on crafting activities with the overarching theme of environmental stewardship. The sessions ranged from plastic cup decorations and wooden cross section painting to sand art and rock art. 

 

In addition to in-person workshops, Yu also hosted international presentations via online platforms, collaborating with the Middle School Department of Hangzhou Shanghai World Foreign Language School. During the sessions, Yu shared excerpts from the graphic books that STEM Illustrated created, spreading awareness on global climate change and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) through fun and engaging graphics. 

 

The most meaningful moments for Yu came from interacting with other people and building connections with them. Working with younger students and spreading the importance of environmental protection have filled Yu with immense joy. Yu hopes that her project has allowed her to foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world among the global youth, inspiring the next generation’s passion for environmental science and conservation. Overall, Yu is grateful and honored for the opportunity to increase environmental awareness with her Welles Award Project, and she wants to thank the STEM Illustrated members for their incredible efforts in making her vision come true.