SECME is a club where high school students engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities. Founded in 1975, SECME provides “opportunities to engage in authentic engineering experiences.” Originally, the acronym stood for Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering but was changed in 1997 to signify science, engineering, communication, mathematics, and enrichment. This club helps those who are interested in STEM fields to become more involved in math and science activities. 

Senior Thiago Perez, President of SECME, has been involved with this club since his sophomore year. Perez and other club members work tirelessly the entire year, attend meetings every month, and display the final product of the build and their accomplishments at competitions. “It’s really great seeing all your work go towards competing,” Perez said. 

Zaiden Patel, Vice President, is currently in his second year in SECME. Throughout his time, he has learned how to use what he’s been taught in class and apply it to real engineering problems. “I have witnessed my ideals slowly come to life throughout the year,” Patel shared. This club has taught him how to organize and manage tasks while thinking creatively to create the best projects possible.

Centered upon research-based strategies, SECME’s focus is to encourage students to enter science and math careers upon graduation.  One key area of involvement emphasizes hands-on learning; participants build the following projects: Mousetrap car, bridge, banner, water generator, and bottle rocket. 

For a mousetrap car, participants build a car using a mousetrap and other materials. The scoring is based on appearance, distance the car travels, the rubric being included, and the wheels and mousetrap being implemented. 

The bridge build is where students create a bridge with specific restraints (size, materials and weight). The bridge is made of balsa wood, and the process and sketches must be recorded using a notebook. The team creates a bridge using the designs they make and will ensure the bridge withstands pressure put onto it until it collapses. Scoring is based on the amount of weight it can withstand and if the bridge meets the criteria and restraints made.

For the banner component, competitors create a banner that includes the different builds that are in SECME.  It is displayed at competitions where it will be graded. The banner is 72 inches wide and 36 inches high and is evaluated on content, originality, creativity, and appearance. The banner must have all the required info – the word SECME and all the builds. It must exhibit original thought using new ideas and new ways to enhance the presentation.

The water generator competition creates a generator and measures the voltage output. The competition is scored on voltage output (higher is better), team communication skills, and a team interview as well as the designs drawing. The generator has to be 30cmx30cmx30cm, must run for 30 seconds, and cannot use batteries or external voltage sources.

Bottle rocket consists of the competitors’ brainstorming ideas made inside their “engineering notebook” and using these ideas to make multiple prototypes to test for the best average height travelled from trial runs (measured in meters). After deciding on the best bottle rocket design, that rocket is ignited at competitions where participants are graded on their notebook and how far the bottle rocket travels.

If you attend Olympic Heights and want to study anything stem-related, or if you’re in the engineering academy, this is a club that will really help you understand what you’ve been learning and how to put some of these skills to use. Stop by Ms. Cheva’s room in 6114 for additional information.