The National Science Honor Society has taken a turn this year in regards to its membership. In the past, only seniors were qualified to join this organization. However, there are plenty of juniors this year that meet the criteria required to participate, primary because many of them registered to take AP-level science classes. By allowing juniors to join this network, they are predisposed to more opportunities in the future. Their experience this year will encourage them to grow and realize the significance of their service hours, giving them an immense advantage for their senior year. 

SMCS junior Sragvi Pattanaik describes her enthusiastic reaction to being accepted into the National Science Honor Society. 

“I was really excited about joining NSHS because it gives me an opportunity to show my interest in science academically and also to be apart of a community. I think that being in NSHS for more than one year is incredibly good for establishing connections with science teachers,” said Pattanaik. 

For any student to be eligible for the NSHS, they must have a minimum of three completed science credits, a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75, a science GPA of at least 3.8, and they must be enrolled in at least one honors or AP-level science course for each school year. Throughout the school year, students must obtain at least eight service hours, four per semester. There is an endless amount of ways that members can earn their hours, ranging from local community work to global service. Some students enjoy assisting science teachers during lunch or after school by setting up labs, preparing worksheets, grading papers, etc. Other opportunities involve cleaning up public spaces, collecting litter, inspiring younger students through science, and even participating in Robichaud’s Earth Day event. For the past three years now, Ms. Terese Robichaud has been hosting an event in April to acknowledge Earth Day. Robichaud, Biology and Anatomy teacher, is the National Science Honor Society sponsor. She organizes events, documents students’ hours, and makes sure that those expectations are continuously upheld by the students.

“We have had Global students showcase their senior projects, and other students create fun, silly games as attractions to give out free candy, to just bring green initiative awareness to that day,” Robichaud said.  

When asked about juniors’ involvement in the National Science Honor Society, Global senior Hallie Martin expressed positive feedback emphasizing the importance of more contribution within the community.