CAPP’S CRAFT SECME club adores science

| REPORTER

The SECME club is a longrunning but relatively unknown club between elementary, middle, and high schools. SECME, which stands for Science, Engineering, Communication, Mathematics, and Enrichment, inspires students in STEM and allows them to fuel their love for science into creative projects and competitions.

The club’s sponsor, Chris Capp, is a proud and beloved physics teacher in Oviedo High School’s science department.

“I like watching the students suffer and struggle, because the beauty of it comes when the projects come together,” Capp said.

He has been the sponsor for all 11 years of his teaching and enjoys inspiring and challenging his students to create. With his love for his students and science, SECME is the perfect outlet for his passions.

Sonny Maiorino, 11, is the club’s vice president and a third-year member.

“I feel like he’s the only one that could do it, he’s chaotic but he definitely brings the right energy,” Maiorino said. “The best thing has been seeing the club grow over three years.”

It’s that energy exactly that won two teams the top three in the competition this past February at UCF. Along with the math competition, members of the club participated in many of the events, like the egg drop, bottle rocket, bridge, and hanglider. These projects were meticulously crafted starting in September, and the members’ hard work paid off.

But, as much as the club is for science, a lot of students use it to make friends. Finding other people with the same interests and ambitions is extremely important for those who wish to continue them after high school. Capp’s environment allows students to branch outside of their comfort zones areas, they all agree on one thing: Capp makes them feel comfortable to be in his classroom around others like them.

“I usually just, you know, trust everybody and I give them open space to speak their mind and I don’t judge,” Capp said.

One of the clubs, GSA, is an invitation for anyone to get involved in to be with friends or peers around them. Capp’s been involved with the club for many years and doesn’t plan on letting go of sponsoring the club. He loves being a part of the club’s atmosphere and so do the students.

“The atmosphere of the club is very comforting. Capp helps make the atmosphere [in the club] with his personality,” said future GSA president Lupé Ayala. “He has a happy personality that can brighten someone’s day.”

As much as the students enjoy the clubs as much as they can with friends and the activities that occur during them, Capp also finds joy in being there for his students.

“I like giving them a place where they can be themselves and they can kind of do what they like to do best,” Capp said. “You know, sometimes kids just need an outlet, and I like picking the clubs where there’s not really somebody who has that outlet for them.” and learn more well rounded skills.

Out of clubs, he also gained new experience from his physics class. Last year, the previous AP Physics teacher, Dr. Soos, retired. Capp has had to work from the ground up to create everything from the labs to tests to make the class smooth sailing.

“I am honored that they trusted me with the class, it has been extremely challenging putting together the class,” he said.

Capp continues to be the notorious great teacher that he is through his determination to make sure his students know how much potential that is in them.

“I like being able to work with friends and being able to use that experience in the real world,” Timothy Doucet, 12, said. The goal is never to learn how to do one science subject perfectly, but instead how to integrate what you learn in school to your everyday life.

SECME is so much more than meets the eye; for those who choose to join will find a world of new interests and people. But, in addition to it, is Capp’s infinite love for all things science that brings the club’s energy and environment to a level not typically seen in a school environment every day.