Jayath and Jayathi Jaiganesh

Jayathi Jaiganesh (16) and Jayath Jaiganesh (14) are from New Zealand. Growing up in a multicultural family in Wellington, New Zealand, siblings Jayathi and Jayath noticed a gap between how complex issues like environmental science are taught and how children actually understand and engage with them. They believed every child has the right to learn in ways that feel meaningful and actionable, not just memorized from a textbook.

Together, they co-created Bella and the Bio-Bot, a children’s book turning environmental science into an engaging story that sparks inquiry-based thinking. They led interactive, student-led sessions in schools and communities, encouraging children to observe, question, and think critically about the environmental challenges shaping their future. Building on this, they developed a “think like an investigator” approach, shifting kids from passive learners to active explorers, and created inclusive spaces where every child felt confident enough to speak up and be heard.

Their impact has already spread beyond their own community: their sessions have reached over 200 students across multiple schools, while their YouTube video has drawn over 1,000 views and Instagram content over 2,200 plays. Through storytelling and curiosity, Jayathi and Jayath are showing that even complex problems become approachable when children are trusted to think for themselves.