STEM Clubs—Old and New

At the fall Clubs and Pubs Fair, clubs of all interests advertised themselves to Stuyvesant’s student body—including Stuyvesant’s various STEM-related clubs. Many of these new and underrepresented clubs offer students interested in STEM a plethora of opportunities. 

StuyBio

StuyBio focuses on preparing members for the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) exam;any member who wishes to participate can take the USABO exam. Last year, StuyBio proudly produced two USABO finalists. In addition to USABO preparation, StuyBio teaches members a wide variety of topics in biology. “[Topics include] cell biology, biochemistry, animal and human physiology, plant physiology, biosystematics and taxonomy, genetics, ecology, ethology (animal behavior) [and more],” junior and Vice President Kanchanok “Ting Ting” Zhang described.  

StuyBio covers these topics and promotes interest in biology through events like biology quiz bowls and the creation of a phylogenetic tree poster during StuyBio’s weekly Wednesday meetings. This year, StuyBio plans on facilitating dissections in a seventh floor lab under the faculty supervision of biology teacher Jessica Quenzer. Members will vote for the organism for dissection through a poll. Such lab work allows students to pursue biology on a deeper level.

Although there are no attendance requirements, members who strive to succeed in the USABO must be highly committed to StuyBio. The club’s rigor and enthusiasm are sufficient to help students ace the USABO exam, as well as kindle students’ passion for biology. “Because of our vast coverage and specificity of knowledge, paired with the board’s commitment to studying biology on our own every day to prepare for USABO, our club has a very rigorous curriculum and favors those who dedicate themselves to mastering biology,” Zhang explained. 

Stuyvesant Brain Bee

Stuyvesant Brain Bee prepares students for a neuroscience competition called Brain Bee, which tests students on emotions, intelligence, brain conditions, and medical technology. By joining the club, students can participate in the regional competition—although it is limited to only three members per team. Fortunately, junior and President Rexana Chen plans on hosting a school-wide Brain Bee. “This way, everyone who wants to challenge themselves and have fun learning about neuroscience has a chance to participate,” Chen explained.

Meetings will occur every week or two and become more frequent as the Regional Brain Bee competition approaches. They will involve lessons, trivia, Jeopardy competitions, and other educational games. Each member can decide their own commitment level. Stuyvesant Brain Bee also strives to create educational social media content to spread information about neuroscience. After selecting a neuroscience topic, members can collaborate on Canva to draft informative, engaging, and visually appealing social media posts. 

Stuyvesant Brain Bee is special because it not only focuses on neuroscience, but it integrates fun and learning in games like Jeopardy, thereby creating an engaging environment. “Personally, I’ve always found that these kinds of games create an exciting energy where everyone is encouraging one another, making it a team effort rather than just competition,” Chen reflected. “It’s a great way to break the ice and help us get to know one another.”

The Stuyvesant Guild

The Stuyvesant Guild is an interdisciplinary club that merges science with other subjects—including literature, history, and the arts—through hands-on exploration, meaningful discussions, and unique projects involving art and interactive video games. 

The club’s biweekly meetings alternate between virtual and in-person, and members can determine their commitment, with higher commitment expected for major events like the Maker Faire. The in-person meetings will typically involve more hands-on activities whereas virtual meetings will be discussion-based.

These discussions will range from debunking science myths, such as “Why can’t one blow one’s own sail?” and the plausibility of science fiction novels, to lesser known topics, like the causes behind fading pigments, and much more. “The discussions are meant to encourage exploration into a diverse range of topics that are not typically taught in school and to act as a springboard for more ideas,” junior and Co-President Katherine Chang stated in an email interview. “We want people to walk away with something that they found utterly fascinating or knowledge about a new field of study that they never heard about before. Discussions can also focus on brainstorming and developing solutions for current issues, such as fast fashion waste or renewable energy.”

To further expand their content, The Stuyvesant Guild plans on hosting panelists specializing in unconventional fields like bioacoustics and environmental policy. These panelists will discuss multidisciplinary science careers like “cute studies,” which explore the psychological, biological, and philosophical roots behind “cuteness.” 

Furthermore, the club aspires to organize a school-wide Maker Faire where students can showcase their creative projects. While the logistics for this event are under development, the club plans on hosting the Maker Faire in the school cafeteria towards the end of spring semester. A few months prior to the Faire, a form will be released for individuals, teams, and clubs to sign up to showcase their projects. The Maker Faire will also display creations made in elective classes like woodworking, ceramics, and interior design. This event enhances the intersection of art and science. “Imagine an exhibit with astronomy or fungi-themed origami along with snippets of information about the pieces,” Chang described. 

Although the club focuses on STEM topics and careers, joining the Stuyvesant Guild connects various members of the school community to a thriving network of innovators and thinkers, creating intersections with many fields besides science such as philosophy, law, psychology, and art.

NeuroSTUYence

As a team with a vision, the NeuroSTUYence co-founders are working to revive the neuroscience community at Stuyvesant. “We wanted to bring back neuroscience,” junior and co-founder Annie Chen stated. While clubs similar to NeuroSTUYance have existed in the past, they have not been rechartered in the past few years. Founded just this year, NeuroSTUYence is looking to change that. 

The club is dedicated to helping Stuyvesant students learn about neurobiology. Members will have the opportunity to hear from guest lecturers in various fields of neuroscience, participate in neuroscience related games and trivia, and even work hands-on in a lab. “We are going to work with school administration,” Chen said of the club’s plan to offer lab activities, such as brain dissections, to club members.

In the future, the club is also looking to apply as a chapter of the International Youth Neuroscience Association (IYNA), a global, youth-led nonprofit that provides associated schools with teaching resources and lab materials. NeuroSTUYence plans to utilize their connection to the school administration and IYNA to strengthen the foundation of the club and rebuild the neuroscience community at Stuyvesant.

NeuroSTUYence meetings will be held once a week on either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday and are open to students of all interest and experience levels. “Pretty much anyone can join. Even if you just kind of like the brain; even if you think it’s just a little cool,” Chen explained. 

StuyPediatrics

While there is a plethora of pre-professional medical and biology clubs, the leaders of StuyPediatrics are looking to promote the often overlooked sub-field of pediatrics. The club covers everything from field experience in medical spaces to clinical research opportunities, with an overarching focus on working in professional settings. “Going out into the field is definitely what differentiates us,” junior and leader-in-training Tajree Tabassum said. Specifically, for the past two years, the club has offered members the opportunity to shadow doctors in pediatric clinics and hospitals.

In addition to hands-on experience, the club hosts guest lecturers from all medical fields to speak  with club members about their professional and personal journeys. “These professionals generally have a lot of insight and build a personal connection with you,” Tabassum explained. “It’s really helpful if you have questions about how to get into the medical field.”

Despite the numerous activities and opportunities the club offers, StuyPediatrics is a relatively low commitment club with meetings twice a month on Tuesdays and Thursdays, making it the perfect opportunity for students interested in medicine and biology to explore a sub-domain of the medical field.

The Stuyvesant Research Club

A club with international reach, the Stuyvesant Research Club is one of Stuyvesant’s leading clubs focused on scientific research. Most notably, the club publishes an annual research magazine, Sigma, that is fully written, edited, and designed by students. Sigma is distributed nationally and internationally, focusing on areas with less research opportunities. “A lot of places suffer from information inequity,” explained senior and President Willaim Shiu. “So what we have done is establish ourselves in over ten countries. Now we have authors from all over the world contributing to our magazine.” Students in areas with limited access to research information and opportunities can also participate in a scientist pal network, where they can receive research guidance from real scientists. 

In addition, the Research Club helps Stuyvesant students earn volunteer and independent research opportunities at prestigious institutions such as Weill Cornell, Columbia, and Mount Sinai. To this end, the club has developed a network of over 30 professors at these institutions that interested students can match with. The Research Club also offers training programs in common lab techniques, resume editing services, and interview training. “We teach basic skills like PCR, Eliza, and micropipetting hands-on. We’re one of the only STEM clubs to host weekly labs,” Shiu elaborated. 

The Research Club is a resource for all Stuyvesant students interested in research, whether they wish to publish work, design the Sigma magazine, or simply gain technical experience in a lab. 

StuySky

StuySky is a club that focuses on highlighting the underrepresented fields of astronomy and meteorology in an uncompetitive environment. The club aims to inform the student body about the stars and the sky, fostering passion and curiosity concerning the universe around us.

During meetings, club members will learn about past and future astronomical events and discuss physics. In addition, StuySky will prepare presentations regarding member inquiries about the field. Furthermore, meetings involve guest speakers, who share their research in astronomy and meteorology to club members. A highlight of these meetings is the ability to use special astronomy equipment. “Members can even go outside to see planets with our new telescope,” junior and Co-President Nusrath Jahan Silvi described. As the only hands-on astronomy club with authentic equipment, StuySky offers exposure to those who look to go into a similar field.

Future projects include using the club’s astronomy telescope to observe the moon and planets and, although one of the bolder projects, the creation of a weather station to develop weather forecasts at Stuyvesant. This would have members set up radio equipment to collect data and create weather forecasts similar to those shown from news stations. Through such innovative projects and equipment, StuySky hopes to spread passion for the fields of astronomy and meteorology.

The Biology Society

The Biology Society is a club that focuses on creating a holistic learning environment that encompasses learning, leadership, and community work in the field of biology. They focus on city-wide outreach to middle schools, as well as leading engaging presentations on biology and possible careers and opportunities within the field. For the future, The Biology Society is planning on incorporating an interactive website where students can publish their own passion projects.

Unlike other biology clubs at Stuy, The Biology Society focuses on educating those outside of Stuyvesant. “We go beyond FRAP & ARISTA because we’re reaching out to other middle schools to present resources and exploration into biology: different possible careers, research/lab opportunities, and a ticket to innovation in biological fields,” junior and founder Aruna Vaithilingam explained. “Our focus is conducting city-wide outreach [...] Through our events, volunteering, and website, we aim to create a love for learning in kids across NYC.”

The Biology Society’s goal in mentoring middle schoolers is to encourage children to take an active role in their community. Members will prepare and lead hands-on activities, simulations, and collaborative projects in middle schools. Initiating a collaboration with middle schools often involves cold emailing, a skill that can prepare students for future opportunities. 

With the future creation of a unique website to demonstrate member talents, The Biology Society hopes to allow students to express their creativity. They believe the field of biology has no limits, and it is not entirely confined to mechanical research. 

Stuy Cancer Kids First

Stuy Cancer Kids First strives to support pediatric cancer patients by fundraising and raising awareness. This year, the club will facilitate volunteer events including creating cards, making care packages, and donating money to hospitals. The club has set up a page on Charity Miles, an app that allows club members to raise money by walking. The further members walk, the more money is raised. These funds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House in New York. 

“By joining this club, members will actively contribute to an important cause, learn about childhood cancer, and be part of a supportive environment committed to making a lasting impact,” junior and President Becky Lin said. The club is also in the process of contacting other hospitals to partner with. Once the hospitals’ responses are received, the club will be able to make further donations. 

Stuy Cancer Kids First will also host guest speakers such as cancer survivors and oncologists and watch interviews with doctors about cancer treatment and on cancer facts and statistics to educate students about the science behind childhood cancer. Thus, members will become more aware of the causes and effects of childhood cancer and be part of a more supportive environment to make a lasting impact. Stuy Cancer Kids First is a low-commitment club—although high commitment is needed for members who aspire to become the club’s events coordinator, graphics designer, or treasurer. 

Lin distinguishes Stuy Cancer Kids First from other philanthropic clubs due to its multifaceted approach to supporting child cancer patients. “Stuy Cancer Kids [econmpasses] multiple aspects,” Lin explained. “There is both a [philanthropic] aspect through making donations and an educational aspect through learning from guest speakers and videos.” Hence, the club’s combination of these two approaches allows for empathy and knowledge to translate into tangible action. 

As Stuyvesant High School is home to many different STEM-related clubs, the ones mentioned in this article are not the only ones to explore. Every club has its own unique approach to fostering students’ passion for STEM, making it important for students to explore different types of clubs and gain a complete sense of all the opportunities Stuyvesant High School has to offer.