Aspinwall teen's passion for conservation earns him spot on Junior Achievement's 18 Under Eighteen list

Fox Chapel Area sophomore Theo Tedesco is a self-described steward of the Earth, passionate about bringing science and exploration to underserved children.

He has spent three summers volunteering at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, helping youngsters discover the 134-acre sanctuary that is Audubon Society’s headquarters in Fox Chapel.

The 16-year-old also is a conservation ambassador with the Wildlife Leadership Academy and volunteers for the Citizen Science Lab, which works to provide STEM pipelines to marginalized communities.

“I have always been passionate about sustainability issues,” said Tedesco of Aspinwall.

For his efforts, Tedesco was named to the Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania’s 18 Under Eighteen Class of 2024, a program that recognizes high school students’ talents.

“I was so blown away to learn that I was selected,” Tedesco said. “So many kids and teenagers are doing amazing things, and I just can’t believe I’m part of this group.”

Students were scheduled to be honored Feb. 6 at Acrisure Stadium.

Junior Achievment’s mission is to provide teens with skills for success in a global economy. Programs include work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

At Beechwood Farms, Tedesco served as an Audubon naturalist in training and spent 120 hours at day camps for students in kindergarten through ninth grade.

At the Lock Haven-based Wildlife Leadership Academy, Tedesco focused on learning wildlife and fisheries sustainability, along with community outreach.

He attended a field school in Madisonburg, Centre County, where he researched the habitat and anatomy of bears in Western Pennsylvania.

“It was specifically the American black bear, their diet and ways of protecting their habitats,” Tedesco said. “We were researching specific plants that bears need to live. We also worked with the PA Game Commission as they collected biological data from a bear that had to be euthanized.”

Tedesco’s love for animals and nature began in childhood. Working as a camp counselor gave him the chance to share his passion, he said.

Audubon spokeswoman Rachel Handel said the 18 Under Eighteen honor is a testament to Tedesco’s dedication.

“He has done a great job connecting kids to birds and nature,” Handel said. “He supported our summer camp and encouraged young people to explore and enjoy the natural world.”

At the Citizen Science Lab in Pittsburgh, Tedesco volunteers to fuel excitement in younger children through hands-on experiences.

He works with students to build microbial fuel cells from bacteria as a battery energy source.

“Microbes are in soil, sediment and mud,” he said. “You can use graphite discs to convert chemical energy to electrical energy so it’s pretty cool to build these fuel cells which could be an alternate energy source in the future.”

With dreams to become a scientist and engineer, Tedesco plans to focus on protecting birds in their natural environment. But his volunteerism isn’t limited to science labs.

During the pandemic, the teen started a pop-up pantry to help neighbors and has volunteered with Grow Living Stones, a group that serves meals at a Dormont church and delivers meals to the Jubilee Kitchen in Pittsburgh.

After racking up more than 200 volunteer hours, Tedesco was given the Congressional Silver Medal for Youth which recognizes service and initiative.

“It just really makes me happy to be able to share my story and be part of all of this,” he said.