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Fans of both MythBusters and White Rabbit Project host Grant Imahara were heartbroken by his sudden passing in July 2020 at 49, caused by a brain aneurysm. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Imahara shared his passion for science and engineering with audiences through television. His dedication to education continues to live on through the foundation established in his honor.
The Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation was officially revealed on Thursday, October 23, 2020, by Imahara’s loved ones, coinciding with what would have been his 50th birthday. This organization aims to offer mentorships, grants, and scholarships to students from all walks of life, providing them with access to STEAM education, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (with the addition of 'A' for art to the former STEM curriculum).
Grant Imahara had a long history of helping students. In the early 2000s, while working at Industrial Light and Magic, he mentored the robotics team at Richmond High School as they prepared for the international FIRST Robotics Competition. Whether on television or behind the scenes working on films like the Star Wars prequels and The Matrix sequels, Imahara was always passionate about fostering young talent in engineering.
The founding members of The Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation’s board include Carolyn Imahara, Grant's mother, along with close friends Don Bies, Anna Bies, Edward Chin, Fon H. Davis, Coya Elliott, and Ioanna Stergiades.
Carolyn Imahara expressed in a statement, “Many students, like my son Grant, need a balance between the technical and creative aspects, and that’s exactly what STEAM embodies. I’m incredibly proud of my son’s achievements, but equally proud of the mentoring work he did. He would be overjoyed to know that we plan to continue his legacy through The Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation, and so much more.”
Wade Bick, a close friend of Imahara, is working alongside the USC Viterbi School of Engineering to establish a study lounge named after Grant Imahara. Donations for this initiative can be made here.
To learn more about the foundation or make a donation, visit its website.
