Eastlake SNHS launches STEM Saturdays Program to ignite passion for science in younger students
Eastlake High School’s Science National Honor Society (SNHS) launched its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Saturdays program on Saturday, Sept. 13. It is a community outreach program in collaboration with the King County Library System (KCLS).
The program kicked-off with an event called STEM in Motion–Build Balloon-Powered Cars at the Sammamish KCLS branch. The initiative aims to ignite a passion for science in elementary and middle school students by reframing it as a hands-on, creative subject.
This approach is designed to counter a common perception that science is limited to homework or tests. It encourages students to explore science outside of school through interactive activities such as balloon-powered car construction and slime-making.
STEM Saturdays is led by SNHS co-presidents Aavid Mathrawala and Yogitha Satish Kumar, both seniors at Eastlake High School. They explained that partnering with KCLS was essential for program outreach.
“KCLS already serves as a hub for families and kids, with the infrastructure to promote and host community programs. The smart boards, open spaces, and even logistical support from advisors such as Jessica DeWitz meant we could focus on the content and experience, while the library provided the platform and visibility,” Mathrawala and Kumar said in an email response to the Sammamish Independent.
Workshop topics include DNA visualization, introduction to galaxies and exploration of star formation. These were intentionally chosen to balance fun with academic foundations.
“We avoided overly advanced or niche areas, such as neuroscience or immunology, because our goal was to create excitement about the basics that serve as the starting ground for all future science learning,” Mathrawala and Kumar said.
Parents of young participants felt it exposed youth to science in an engaging way.
“The session was very interactive, which really spikes the curiosity of a child,” said Shravanthi Kallem, 40.
Uday Shankar, also 40, noted the benefits of a more hands-on approach the students get through the new program.
“[A] practical, hands-on way of learning is more reinforcing and a better way to make sure information is retained longer,” he said.
SNHS advisor Gabby Simmons noted the reciprocal benefit the high school volunteers gain from the experience. This part of the program is intended to keep them engaged in science.
“Hopefully, just seeing the curiosity of kids will get high schoolers a little bit more excited about science because by the time you get to high school, people get a little dazed in terms of grades and college admissions,” Simmons said.
Some SNHS members report that running these events helps strengthen their leadership skills.
“Running STEM Saturdays means learning how to plan large events, coordinate with institutions like KCLS, and take responsibility for younger students and peers alike,” Mathrawala and Kumar said.
SNHS’s ultimate goal is to create a shift in the perspective of younger students about STEM subjects.
“Our hope is that kids walk away with the feeling that science is something they can explore outside of school,” Mathrawala and Kumar said.
