Worldwide, engineering is commonly viewed as one of the hardest college majors and professions. Numerous online sources have ranked it among the top three most difficult college majors, according to average weekly study time and GPA averages. It involves complex mathematical equations, laborious labs, and hours and hours spent grasping abstract subjects, leading many to avoid the field entirely. However, a group of MHS students has set out this year to reduce the stigma surrounding engineering and popularize it as something vastly different: a hobby.
In the Spring of 2023, MHS alumna Alejandra Fernandez started the club alongside current seniors Megyn Ta and Sara Zhang. The club was created to foster relaxation, uncommonly associated with the stressful nature of engineering.
Ta, the club’s current President, aims to extend this goal during her final year and the foreseeable future. “Compared to engineering classes, I really want to make this space more casual for hobbyists and crafters like me.”
“Engineering branches out into a lot of different categories,” recalled Zhang, the current Vice President. Its variety broadens the scope of potential projects and helps attract members with interests and backgrounds that differ from the standard. Zhang emphasizes that the club is an opportunity for anyone to learn, saying, “I think people should join the Engineering Club since it’s a big learning experience for everyone. It could be a place to hang out and also learn some pretty cool concepts, make new friends, and learn together.”
The club meets on Thursday afternoons in Physics teacher Julie Grillon’s room. Club officers typically give a brief introduction to what members will be working on, which can range from engineering research to projects resembling arts and crafts.
Club members work together to glue their rockets. SOPHIE LEBLANC
Zhang explained her favorite project she worked on last year in the club: “We split into groups and researched a given problem in a local or global community that you want to solve, and then you would propose your own solution of creating a sustainable way of solving that problem.” She created a wooden bridge with her friends that is still presented in the classroom, a memory that highlights the creativity fostered within the club.
During their second meeting on October 3rd, club members constructed rockets made from plastic water bottles and cardboard before venturing to the courtyard to pour baking soda and vinegar into them and watch the explosive reaction unfold.
While the club has incentivized many members to return year after year, various students have found the club just this year. Newly intrigued by the field of engineering, freshman Derline Hyppolite discovered the club through the MHS involvement fair. She expressed that she hopes to “ gain a better understanding of the field of engineering” and learn about how to effectively apply the concepts.
Sophomore Shannon Pokharel joined the club to chart the path for future endeavors. “In the future, I want to be an astronaut, and though it’s not exactly similar to engineering, I wanted to experience creating rockets and other projects,” she stated.
Looking ahead, club officers aspire to elevate the club beyond its current simplicity and dive into the exciting realm of engineering competitions. “There’s a National Geographic one we’re interested in, and there’s also a NASA one someone is looking into,” recalled Ta. However, this endeavor has proved initially challenging, as Ta mentioned that, “it’s hard to figure out which ones work and which ones don’t, and as most of us are seniors, we’re busy all the time.” That said, club officers are hopeful about identifying suitable competitions for their group and are dedicated to supporting their members’ needs.
With so many incredible clubs, extracurriculars, and classes at Malden High, it can be difficult to know which ones are right for you. Many students have ruled out engineering entirely due to the widely accepted idea that it is only for professionals and geniuses born with a natural gift. However, the MHS Engineering Club wants to spread the word that it can be as simple or complex as you want, ranging from stacking legos to designing intricate robotic systems for competitions. Engineering is a spectrum, and all that lie on it are encouraged to join.
“The main idea of the engineering club is to foster a community,” said Ta. She continued, “It’s for people who are interested in science or people who just want to build stuff. Everyone and anyone can walk into the Engineering Club, pick up a project, and do something.”
Club members Susila Wong, Megyn Ta, and Sienna Hoang collaborating on their model rockets. SOPHIE LEBLANC
