STEM Strong: Spark Science Club

SIMONE SAGAY ’22 USES HER LOVE OF SCIENCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD

I’ve always been enthralled by science since middle school, but it wasn’t until sophomore year that I aspired to become a chemist. Since I was enamored with chemistry so much, I came up with the idea to initiate a science club at my high school in junior year. My science club intended to work with Saint John’s Program For Real Change, Mustard Seed, and Women’s Empowerment. However, COVID intervened and caused me to only be able to work with Saint John’s. I started Spark Science in July with Saint John’s.

Saint John’s is a homeless shelter accommodating women and children. I decided to work with Saint John’s because I’ve volunteered there ever since fifth grade, so I’m quite accustomed to the place. My science club, Spark Science, is meant to enhance the lives of homeless third-fifth graders by helping them to conduct science experiments which I hope will spark their curiosity and discovery. By starting Spark Science, I hope to pass my interest in science on to third-fifth graders. I believe that homeless children are part of our forgotten youth. If my Spark Science Club can interest homeless youth in science, that could potentially be an avenue out of poverty for these children.

I’m surprised to see the enthusiastic and intrigued reactions of the children because I was not sure if they would be interested in hearing all the science behind the experiments. I was equally surprised that most of the children participate and are engaged. Whenever I teach the children cool science experiments, I see a glow on their faces which reassures me that I’m making a difference in their lives. I believe this has been a mutually rewarding experience and I hope to find a worthy successor before I graduate.

I aspire to be a research chemist for precisely the reason why I started this club, to be able to make a difference in the world and solve problems in science. The pandemic has made me starkly aware that yesterday’s research in science can be instrumental in solving tomorrow’s science problems.