Bihar-Born Aerospace Scientist Honoured at Texas State Capitol for Pioneering STEM Education

Texas/ Patna: As Bihar marks its 113th foundation day, a son of the soil is being celebrated on the other side of the world. Aerospace scientist and inventor Mirza Faizan, who hails from Patna, was honoured at the Texas State Capitol—the seat of the Texas legislature in Austin—for his outstanding contributions to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the United States.

The Texas House of Representatives passed House Resolution 403 in recognition of Faizan’s initiative, DiscoverSTEM, which has played a transformative role in mentoring and empowering young minds. STEM education—focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—has become a crucial global movement, equipping students with the skills needed to drive innovation in the modern world.

Recognising the growing influence of DiscoverSTEM, the Texas Legislature declared March 18, 2025, as DiscoverSTEM Innovation Day, honouring its contributions to scientific learning. “That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate DiscoverSTEM Innovation Day 2025 at the State Capitol and extend to all those in attendance sincere best wishes for a productive and enjoyable event,” the resolution stated.

Faizan, known for his groundbreaking work in aerospace technology, elaborated on the initiative: “DiscoverSTEM programs are designed to create the next generation of Einsteins and Newtons. There are two major parts of the course, namely the Foundation and the Implementation Course, where we train students to think like an innovator in the first, and then apply that thought process to innovate in the second.”

The impact of DiscoverSTEM has been profound. Among the many accolades its students have received, one of the most prestigious was securing first place in the NASA Ames Space Settlement Contest in 2018. Over 100 DiscoverSTEM students have been featured in various national and international media for their groundbreaking research and innovation. More than 90 students have won international innovation competitions, including 25 NASA Scholars. Each year, DiscoverSTEM students gain admission to top U.S. universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Caltech, Duke, and MIT. Collectively, DiscoverSTEM students have received approximately $2.7 million in scholarships.

Faizan himself has been widely recognised for his contributions to STEM education. He was granted US Permanent Residency leading to citizenship under the elite ‘Einstein Visa’, based on recommendations from scientists at NASA, the Pentagon, and the US Air Force. In 2022, he was also honoured with the George Washington Honor Medal, a prestigious national award in the US, for his revolutionary impact on education.