Students at Center Grove High School interested in engineering, science and technology now have a new outlet for their hobby.
A new STEM club has started at the school. Two students approached teachers and asked them about starting a club that celebrates the sciences.
Adviser Amy Wingler, with help from students Michelle Moon and Sarah Chan, tells you what you need to know:
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryWhy did you want to sponsor the club?
Wingler: Michelle Moon and Sarah Chan are two unbelievable students and individuals. I had them both in honors geometry their freshman year. When they asked me to sponsor the club, I was excited to work with them and to be able to inform Center Grove High School students about the many opportunities that are out there related to the STEM curriculum.
How does this club help STEM curriculum?
Wingler: It raises awareness to the four categories of STEM and how they are not just separate entities but can be combined in some careers.
Who can join the club?
Wingler: Any student who attends Center Grove High School.
Who plans club activities?
Wingler: Sarah Chan and Michelle Moon planned the activities and events on the itinerary, then met with me for discussion, suggestions and approval. They are setting up all speakers to come in during STAR also.
What is the biggest project you are planning this semester?
Wingler: This is the first year for the club and it is just starting second semester, so we don’t have any big projects planned for this year. Hopefully we can brainstorm ideas for next year and get a project planned.
How is the club funded?
Wingler: We are not funded by anyone or anything. Matt Ehresman, our STEM instructional coach for the district, has been great at helping us set up the club. He allows us to use his knowledge and resources for our club meetings.
How did you get the idea for the club?
Moon: When Sarah and I collaborated to create a club, we found that we both had interests and enjoyment in the areas of math and science. Although we came across many ideas, we came to a conclusion that this club would be appealing to a large group of students.
Chan: Michelle and I have always shared a mutual appreciation for the fields of study within STEM. Based off this similarity, we decided to pursue a club focused on science, technology, engineering and math, while also engaging with fellow students.
What do you want to get from the club?
Chan: I want all students to see what they are capable of in the fields of STEM and convey the concept that anyone can be involved. I want to show them that the club isn’t just about solving boring math problems, but also positively interacting with one another while working together harmoniously over a common interest.
Moon: We would like for students to gain interests in the fields of STEM and have an opportunity to meet leading professionals in these areas of interests. Also, allowing students, especially females, to meet and collaborate with peers that have similar view of what major they would like to pursue in college.
How involved are you in planning projects?
Moon: Sarah and I have collaborated with two other teachers, Wingler (Math Teacher) and Ehresman (STEM Instructional Coach), to gain support and new ideas for projects we could complete over the course of our club for the current and future years. Once we came to conclude that STEM would be the best club to create for our school, we created an outline of activities and speakers that would be presented in each meeting.
Chan: Michelle and I decide every activity that the members in the club will participate in. Mr. Ehresman is a large contributor to our club, as he allows us to utilize problem solving activities he has from the technology center.
How many students do you hope to get?
Chan: I want to engage as many students as possible. I hope to evolve the question students are asking themselves from “Why should I join?” to “Why shouldn’t I join?”
Moon: Seeing as though the club just began, our current attendance of 25 students at our callout meeting is a good start. However, we hope to expand our club and increase the number of members to around 50 by next year. Rather than having students ask why they should join STEM club, we would like for them to ask themselves why shouldn’t we join this club.
Why did you want this club in Center Grove?
Chan: STEM is becoming an increasingly essential part of most modern careers. Enveloping Center Grove students in the massive world of STEM is important.
Moon: I wanted to start this club due to the lack of clubs revolving around science, technology, engineering or math. Since these fields are developing as a major part of careers, we hope to merge Center Grove into this community.
