By Mary Kate Lehman

At WHS, the WISE (Women In Science and Engineering) Club is working to “educate more kids about engineering and bring more kids into the engineering program while having fun,” according to sophomore Audrey Lord

The WISE Club is advised by Maria Homberg, a physics teacher at Algonquin Regional High School, and meets Fridays after school to code, plan and do projects, and always have delicious snacks. Lord says the club “helps girls become more comfortable with science and engineering, and focus on building skills that will help them in the workplace.”

The club is still looking for members, with only ten girls participating currently. Lord says that the current members have been working relentlessly to spread the word about their club, encouraging girls to join, even if they are timid about expressing an interest in STEM projects. She encourages people to come and try it, saying that it is a fun environment and a good place to work with other students to solve problems together.

Before joining the WISE Club, Lord says, “ I had never coded before so it was a great introduction. The club makes learning it fun.” She also emphasizes that since joining the club in late December of 2015, she has learned that, “girls in particular are less likely to pursue STEM careers and that getting involved in high school can really influence your idea of what your career path can be.”

Along with the other members, Lord hopes that in upcoming years, the WISE club can create a branch at Gibbons Middle School, where high school members would mentor younger girls to help them realize their potential for success in science and engineering. The WISE Club’s biggest event is the annual Women in Science Conference, where they have a booth to promote their club, Lord remarks, “In the past, middle schoolers have always said that our booth was one of their favorites.”