by anna thillairajah
The Science National Honor Society has been gaining exposure to the scientific community by attending scientific talks in Washington, D.C. including lectures at the Carnegie Institute for Science.
Besides going to Carnegie lectures, the SNHS invites experts to speak at school. For instance, Peter Behr of E&E (Environment and Energy) News, spoke to SNHS members about the link between politics and science.
“Behr said he would give us a tour of the Capitol and of his agency in D.C., so we’re planning a trip there, “ SNHS senior officer Katya Gilbo said.
Outside of talks, SNHS has also developed its tutoring system, according to SNHS president and senior Lauren Sibley.
Gilbo also stressed the importance of the tutoring aspect of the society: “We make sure that the biology kids, physics kids and chemistry kids all have people they can ask for help.”
While working within the school, they are also “trying to engage with the scientific community outside of Marshall,” Sibley said.
“We’re currently working on reaching out to Shrevewood Elementary School and doing some physics demonstrations,” said junior officer Zoe Scopa. According to Scopa, the society hopes to develop, “a hands-on experience for the kids there to encourage an interest in science.”
This engagement involved both sides of the academic spectrum, from trying to set up elementary school visits to collaborating with college students.
Marshall alumna Loren Clark, now at Virginia Tech, is helping the SNHS connect with the VT lunar robotics team.
“He created this idea of a project that we would have a Google hangout with the VT lunar robotic team,” Gilbo said.