This was previously published in our October 2024 issue.
Emmaus High School features a variety of academic offerings, particularly in the realm of science, where students can choose from a multitude of Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses in physics, biology, chemistry, and the environmental sciences. For the first time, students will have the opportunity to be recognized for their dedication and hard work through the newly-formed Science Honor Society.
According to Brent Ohl, the co-advisor leading the initiative along with Nicole Wack — both veteran science teachers at EHS — this has been a long time coming.
“We’ve always wanted to. It was one of those things we always wanted to do because our science courses are so extensive, and a lot of kids take the AP and the honors level courses,” Ohl said. “We want to make sure those kids are honored for all of the hard work that they’re putting into it.”
The Science Honor Society will celebrate students — mainly juniors and seniors — who have consistently gone above and beyond in their academic pursuits. The advisors are looking for well-rounded students who have taken at least one course in three out of the four science categories offered: physics, biology, chemistry, and environmental sciences, as well as maintaining a strong focus on honors-level performance.
“It’s an honor society, so obviously honors is part of the requirement. It doesn’t mean you have to take everything at an honors and AP level, but we want to make sure that those kids who are in the honor society are at that honor level,” Ohl said.
Beyond academics, members of the Science Honor Society will engage in enriching activities designed to fuel their passion for science. These activities include required hours of science inquiry, as well as a student-designed individual project to be completed by all seniors. From attending lectures by leading scientists to participating in community outreach, the society promises to provide unique opportunities.
“We hope that students gain a little bit more of a love for science — they’re gonna do some extra things, extra activities, talking with scientists, going to lectures, just getting different exposures,” Ohl said.
Science teachers at EHS discussed the addition of the Science Honor Society many times, hoping to allow students to expand their interest in the field.
“I know I’ve been talking about it for years. We just never did it. Then Dr. Wack put the fire under me again to say, ‘Hey, let’s do this.’ So, then I kind of talked to a couple of other schools in the area to see how they do it. We’re kind of emulating a couple of their things, and then we said, ‘Let’s just start it,’” Ohl said.
Students are already excited about what the society has to offer.
“I feel like it would give me a chance to meet a lot of new people and allow me to pursue my interests in other fields of science,” junior Ethan Amy said.
Many students also wish to explore a greater variety of careers in the sciences, hoping to get valuable experiences through interviewing and discussing with science professionals through the Science Honor Society.
“I’d like to talk to more real scientists and people working in the fields I’m interested in today. I think we can learn a lot from the adults who do the jobs we want to do,” junior Roman Herman said.
With the launch of the Science Honor Society, Emmaus High School is offering students a chance to be recognized and connect, collaborate, and cultivate their passion for science in ways that go beyond the classroom.
