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Featured Image: Fellow Moravian Academy student Okezue Bell (left) with host Rayna Malhotra (right) during Rayna’s first episode of Teen Scientist in 2020.
(Lehigh Valley, PA) – The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) has announced that WDIY’s Teen Scientist has won the 2021 Excellence in Broadcasting Award for Outstanding Public Affairs Program/Series.
The announcement came in late February as the PAB named winners in several different categories for radio and television stations in the Commonwealth.
Teen Scientist airs quarterly on WDIY and is hosted by Moravian Academy student Rayna Malhotra (’24). The program focuses on groundbreaking innovation in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines– entirely from a teenage perspective.
Recent episodes of Teen Scientist have featured Rayna speaking with OraSure Technologies CEO and President Dr. Stephen Tang discussing his company’s COVID-19 oral tests and fellow Moravian Academy student Okezue Bell discussing his technology companies.
Teen Scientist began in 2019 hosted by Rayna’s sister, Rhea Malhotra. Rayna took over hosting duties in 2020 when her sister graduated from Moravian Academy.
“I’m extremely humbled and grateful to have been considered for this award after inheriting the opportunity to work with WDIY on the program Teen Scientist from my sister,” Rayna said upon hearing the news. “After she left for college, I knew I wanted to continue the show and use it as a platform to reach out to as many young innovators as possible, and showcase the science, technology, engineering and math here in the Lehigh Valley.”
Reflecting on her future with the program, Rayna said, “I’m excited to take up this journey with WDIY and Teen Scientist, and I’m so glad to be a part of this wonderful radio community.”
The PAB’s award ceremony will be held virtually this year. The date for the ceremony has not been announced.
A full list of the 2021 radio and television winners is available at the PAB website.
About WDIY:
In 2021, WDIY is celebrating its 26th anniversary of broadcasting as an NPR station and public radio station based in the Lehigh Valley. WDIY airs award-winning NPR programs such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered along with locally- produced news reporting, public affairs programs and an eclectic mix of music programs hosted by over 90 volunteers from the community.
WDIY broadcasts on 88.1 FM with translators on 93.9 FM serving Easton- Phillipsburg and 93.7 FM serving Fogelsville-Trexlertown. WDIY streams on the web at wdiy.org, on its app for smartphones and tablets and through smart speakers.
Information provided to TVL by:
Shamus McGroggan
WDIY 88.1 FM
Development Director
