The Chemical Engineering Club is one of many new additions to the numerous clubs found in Aliso Niguel High School.
This club was founded by Carolyn O’brien (11), Sienna Stand (11) and Donna Najafi (12) for students to take interest in the fascinating insights of Chemical Engineering.
The club was founded with the intention to make science and STEM based learning fun, with the help of experiments that also educate students on the hidden gems of Chemical Engineering.
Sienna Stand said, “This club is meant to make science less intimidating and inspire students to not shy away from what seems to be difficult topics. In chemistry we do experiments, but it is strict and can be stressful. However, this club is meant to be a safe space to learn with no pressure involved.”
In the lunch meetings that take place once at the start of every month, the club prepares a small presentation on a certain topic; then, students do a hands-on experiment to implement what they have learned.
Carolyn O’brien said, “So far, our club has explored polymer development and plastic science through making slime, and spherification that can potentially reduce pollution through Japanese candy kits.”
The club will cover topics such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and water treatment.
It is difficult to grasp the idea that chemical ideas are used in the engineering field, but many everyday occurrences are the effects of chemical engineering and will be talked about in the club.
“We are not developing groundbreaking materials, instead we explore ideas behind what chemical engineers use,” Donna Najafi said.
Members of the Chemical Engineering Club not only get the beneficial aspect of learning new concepts through exciting experiments, but they also benefit from the club by being involved in a group that is willing to learn.
“Members of our club are featured in our club website and are able to post about their experiences there. If a student were interested in Chemical Engineering and wanted to major in it, then colleges are able to see that they made an effort in being part of something they were passionate about,” O’brien said.
Since this club is new to Aliso Niguell, students have been very intrigued and enjoy the most recent experiment they did.
Molly Davis (10), a member of the club, said, “My friend told me to join the club and I really enjoy it. At the first meeting we got to make slime and learn how the ingredients bond together to make a non-liquid but also non-solid substance”.
Maddi Almy (10) said, “This club is really interesting, I get to spend time with my friends while also learning efficiently.”
Chemical Engineering Club is a great group of individuals that have an eye for learning in an enjoyable way. The club is young and new, but will thrive and impact the students at ANHS that have been looking for a way to be involved in STEM.
