A Sneak Peak into AERO

We’ve all felt that skeptical feeling of excitement scrolling through the clubs available for the 2023-24 school year. With the routine arrival of both new and returning clubs for our whole student body this year, it has been difficult for students to pick between fantastic options. One such club, AERO, appears to be a hit among students interested in STEM, and has lots to offer for the science geeks of SFHS.

AERO provides academic opportunities to students with both a wide range of STEM experience, to possibly no STEM experience at all. First established in 2012, AERO was the only science club available for students to join until 2021; this meant that the club had to provide an opportunity for students to learn about a range of subjects in STEM, not just the most well-known and popular areas of science. The club is divided into four sections; all of which are joyful and thrilling to say the least. These sections include ‘Activities’, where students are given the opportunity to conduct different science experiments throughout the year; ‘Eureka’, a section that highlights the well-known scientific knowledge of our student body; ‘Robotics’,where students can learn more about engineering; and ‘Outlook’, in which students promote the club’s activities with their creative marketing skills.

Eugenie Wang (9) a new and incoming member of AERO “heard about the club from several upperclassmen, but the club fair was the first time she encountered AERO to learn more about what they do”. As a middle school student, she wasn’t able to “pursue her interests during school time, but through the club she was able to learn more about her areas of interest”.

On the other hand, Sungjun Hwang (12), Co-President and previous ‘Eureka’ member decided to share his experience within AERO during both COVID, and COVID-free times. For Sungjun, he seeked out clubs similar to AERO not just because he was interested in the field, but he also found that “it allows people of similar interests in science to share their passion as a group”. It’s important to remember that AERO doesn’t always have to be exceptionally academic every meeting. Although he “can't exactly say that AERO is a club that teaches you how to solve IB Physics, Biology, or Chemistry questions” new members shouldn’t be “hesitant in approaching this club just because of the keyword "science", which can sometimes deter people. Join and see if you can have fun with science!”.

Although new members of the club have just started to adjust to the way the club works, it’s great to see both the new and experienced members of the club bond over common interests or hobbies through the club. The next time you pass by the science lab during club days, make sure to take a quick peek into the newest investigations that AERO explores!