“Inspiring. Tight-knit. Motivational. Fun. Entertaining.”
These are the five words President Isabella Wu would describe the Junior Engineering Technical Society Club, abbreviated and commonly known as JETS.
JETS is a non-profit organization that strives to enhance understanding of STEM-related concepts ranging from biology and chemistry to engineering and mathematics through competitions. The two main competitions are Science Olympiad, in which students form teams to compete against other schools in over twenty science and technology related events, and Science Bowl (similar to Quiz Bowl,) in which a five member team competes against another team regarding various science-related topics using buzzers. Given the immense amount of commitment and studying that goes into preparing for competition events, Wu highlights the important and rewarding aspects of joining the JETS club. Students get a sense of how science concepts can be applied to the real world through the wide breadth of different competition events.
“I competed in forestry, which is identifying trees and specific facts about them,” Wu said. “Last year at nationals everything we examined were living specimens, as they imported leaves from California and two-feet long pinecones.”
JETS events like forestry allow students to explore science beyond the textbook, as they’re able to utilize the knowledge they’ve acquired, apply it, and work with peers in solving real-life problems. Competing in JETS is a big group-effort, and through the team’s supportive environment, each member was able to put in their best work for their events.
“The year right out of COVID we were scared that we weren’t going to qualify,” Wu said. “We held hands during the award ceremonies, and I remember making nationals was so inspiring because I saw how hard every single person worked and how everyone always motivated me. As a freshman, it was inspiring to look up to all the upperclassmen.”
However, knowing the competitive nature and time put in studying for JETS, underclassmen may hesitate to join.
“I started JETS my freshman year, and it took time to juggle both studying for Science Olympiad and schoolwork,” Wu said. “But I think having a study group with people inspiring you and sharing your burden helps because Science Olympiad is a partner event.”
Beyond the tight community and encouraging conversations, JETS also helps students study for their science classes.
“A lot of the time the event categories overlap with knowledge that you learn in AP Biology or AP Chemistry,” Wu said. “It can be a supplemental tool for those who are looking to do better in school.”
As one of the largest clubs in the school, JETS is a great opportunity in broadening students’ understandings of STEM-related concepts, applying school knowledge into the real world, and forming lifelong friends.
