Meet Zoe Xue

We recently connected with Zoe Xue and have shared our conversation below.

Zoe, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose by noticing the same gap again and again.

I’ve always enjoyed STEM, and along the way I saw how intimidating it was to many students around me. Friends who were curious and capable often chose not to pursue science fairs, advanced classes, or research opportunities because they didn’t feel like they belonged. I realized how much early exposure and encouragement had led to my own confidence, and how unfair it was that access to those experiences depended so heavily on resources or chance.

I helped create workshops, events, and outreach programs that made complex STEM topics feel approachable and welcoming. In Eureka Institute classes, I’ve seen students arrive hesitant and leave excited, asking questions they wouldn’t have asked at the start, proud of what they figured out.

I discovered that I’m most fulfilled when I’m creating pathways for others. My purpose is to reduce the barriers that make students doubt themselves and to help them see that they belong, and Eureka Institute is how I put that purpose into action.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am the co-founder of the Eureka Institute, a student-led nonprofit focused on making STEM education more accessible and welcoming for K-12 students. Eureka started from a simple observation that many students are curious about science and technology, but step away early because they feel intimidated or unsure if they belong. Our work is centered on changing that experience by meeting students where they are and giving them hands-on opportunities to explore without pressure.

What makes Eureka special is how much we emphasize early exposure and community. We run interactive classes, workshops, and events that introduce complex STEM ideas in an approachable way, whether that is coding, math, engineering, or research skills. These programs are taught by students and mentors who remember what it felt like to be new, which helps create an environment where questions feel encouraged.

Since March 2025, Eureka has grown far beyond its original scope. We have expanded to six global chapters and launched over a dozen local and international classes, reaching over 800 K-12 students. We organized Eurekathon, a global STEM hackathon that brought together 250 competitors from around the world and secured $40,000 in prize funding. This event allowed students to collaborate, build projects, and gain confidence.

Looking ahead, we are continuing to expand both locally and globally. We are launching new chapters, adding more classes across different STEM subjects, expanding our team, and planning additional events such as competitions and speaker series starting January 2026 to connect students with real role models in science and technology. At its core, Eureka builds pathways and shows students that STEM is a space they are allowed to grow into.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

One of the most important things for me has been learning how to notice gaps and take them seriously. Many people recognize problems, but don’t ask why they exist or whether they could be changed. Paying attention to what’s missing, confusing, or unfair helped shape everything I built later. For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to trust your observations. If something consistently bothers you, that is probably a signal worth following rather than ignoring.

Another skill that mattered deeply was learning by building, even before I felt ready. I didn’t wait until I had perfect plans, credentials, or certainty. I started small, experimented, adjusted, and improved in public. That process taught me far more than preparation alone ever could. If you are just starting out, give yourself permission to begin before you feel qualified. Momentum creates clarity, not the other way around.

Finally, learning how to work with people and build community made everything sustainable. None of my projects would exist without collaboration, trust, and shared ownership. Listening well, valuing different perspectives, and creating spaces where others feel comfortable contributing turned ideas into lasting programs. For anyone early on, invest time in relationships. Skills can be learned quickly, but strong teams are what allow meaningful work to grow.

Together, these habits shaped not just what I built, but how I think. They taught me that impact comes from paying attention, taking action, and bringing others along with you.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

We are always excited to collaborate with people who care about expanding access to STEM education and building learning environments that feel welcoming. At Eureka Institute, the most meaningful partnerships tend to come from people who share our values of education, community-building, and student leadership.

We are especially interested in connecting with educators, college students, industry professionals, and student leaders who want to mentor, teach, design curriculum, host workshops, or help launch new chapters. We also love collaborating with organizations that focus on youth development, equity in education, or hands-on learning, particularly when there is room to co-create programs.

For anyone interested in getting involved, the best way to connect is through our website or social channels, where we share updates about upcoming classes, events, and chapter launches.

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