This Teen Scientist Is TIME's First-Ever 'Kid Of The Year'

Short Wave

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🗓️ 11 January 2021

⏱️ 11 minutes

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Summary

Fifteen-year-old Gitanjali Rao is a scientist, inventor, and TIME Magazine's first-ever 'Kid Of The Year.' She shares why she didn't initially think science was for her, what motivates her now, and a bit of advice for other budding innovators.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to Shortwave from NPR.
0:05.0	Hey nerds, Maddie Sify here and today I'd like to introduce you to someone very special.
0:11.6	My name is Gatangely Rao, I'm 15 years old and I'm a sophomore in high school.
0:15.8	A few important things to know about Gatangely.
0:19.1	Her Taco Bell order is one Crunch Wrap Supreme, one toasted cheddar Chalupa and depending
0:24.8	on the day, some cinnamon twists too.
0:27.6	Also, she's taking flying lessons.
0:31.0	Oh, and one other thing.
0:33.4	You are kid of the year!
0:36.2	Gatangely is Time Magazine's first ever kid of the year.
0:40.2	This is all you!
0:41.3	She was selected from a pool of 5,000 kids and in large part because of her scientific
0:48.2	accomplishments and inventions.
0:50.1	Your limitless ability to innovate, you did the one thing that nobody thought was possible.
0:54.0	You made 2020 an amazing year.
0:56.0	Thank you.
0:57.2	You know, I'm wondering what it was like when you found out that Time had selected you
1:01.8	as the first ever kid of the year.
1:03.8	Like what was going through your head when that happened?
1:06.5	It was definitely such an exciting experience and nothing that I would have ever expected.
1:11.7	But I think beyond that, it was so honoring and humbling to be featured on the cover
1:16.8	of Time among so many other beyond fantastic people.
	...

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