STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), whether in the form of marine biology, building cars, robotics, or any of the other unique careers, has become an integral part of several students’ future plans.
Many high schools have adapted to these interests by introducing a variety of courses such as forensics, psychology, coding, and more. Local colleges have even opened opportunities for teenagers to experience higher level classes.
San Juan Hills high school is teeming with dedicated students, one such being Katie Babel (10). She has already accomplished a significant feat, developing a method of testing coronary arteries with a group of other ambitious teenagers.
“We had to not only create a solution but then we had to figure out how to market it, finance it, everything that entails actually creating a product,” said Babel.
The program was done through Saddleback College, a local campus that has opened their courses for high school students to participate in more rigorous lessons. Babel commutes to the school in order to take one of her four STEM courses.
For this particular project, the community college partnered with UCI and provided the students with certain medical issues from CHOC. The students were tasked to form groups and innovate a brand new or significantly improved solution.
Students take part in these programs to jumpstart their future careers, a prevalent one being biomedical engineering or biomedicine.
Senior Melissa Warner intends to carry her enjoyment of the sciences through college and into a position somewhere within that field. To do so, she is currently engaged in AP Biology as well as AP Chemistry.
said Melissa Warner. Her hope is to use this connection to create tools that will improve medicine.
Despite the intense workload that accompanies these subjects, evident in the six hours of weekly homework that Babel has for her STEM classes alone, the passion these students have outweighs the extreme tasks.
“Typically engineering was like building bridges and stuff and not interacting with people or creating a tangible difference so I just like how engineering [actually does] that,” said Warner.
Every path looks different for each student, making the various new opportunities a beneficial factor. While some already have a specific niche they enjoy, Swalih Malakath (12) packed his schedule based off of a general interest in biology.
“There is no specific job [I want] which is part of why I am majoring in general biology, but right now I am thinking some sort of research position somewhere whether that is a university or a private institution,” said Malakath.
Although his schedule has decreased during his senior year, Malakath completed AP Physics, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry the previous year to get a head start.
It is a common theme for STEM oriented students to be ambitious and determined, two amazing qualities that are only strengthened by high schools and their fresh class choices proving that there is no start date when it comes to pursuing dreams.
