SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) is a national organization and ETHS has a junior chapter that collaborates with the Northwestern collegiate chapter. Michelle Vazquez, the club’s sponsor, says their mission in a nutshell is to “increase STEM awareness to the Latino community.” Vazquez believes that “There’s such a need for more representation and more perspectives of Latino youth.”
“I joined SHPEjr because I was interested in STEM and I wanted to see the variety in that field,” said Alondra Lagunilla, a senior member of SHPEjr.
Recently, SHPEjr had a table at the Kits, Cats and Kids block party where they interacted with young kids and families in the community and “did stem trivia and gave out prizes.” They also participated in the STEM-fest at Robert Crown last year, where they had a similar table with activities. This November, they are invited to the SHPE Chicago ‘Dia de Sciencias’ at UIC.
In 2011, SHPEjr was just starting out, and the brand-new team had recently won first place in the Science Bowl. Despite their achievement, they didn’t have a sponsor to take them to Washington, DC. However, when two students from the team approached Vazquez, and asked her to be their sponsor, SHPEjr began.
“What we try to do with our club and with the help of Northwestern SHPE is to build confidence and show students that you belong here. We’re going to help you get to where you need to be based on what your goals are,” says Vasquez. Adding on, she says, “We’re really trying to break that mold, build the voices of our students to get in those spaces, take an AP class, try it out!” As Vazquez explains the details of SHPEjr, she says, “You don’t have to identify as Hispanic to be part of SHPE and we welcome anyone who wants this opportunity.” Vazquez welcomes anyone to come to a meeting, join the google classroom or come to any event that they might hear about.
“My favorite part about being in SHPEjr is meeting new people. It’s always fun talking to people who have the same interests as you,” Lagunilla remarked.
In the past, Vasquez and SHPEjr were invited to a SHPE Chicago event at the Instituto de Progreso de Latinos where she met José Hernández, a NASA astronaut. He is Vazquez’s personal role model and as they were leaving, Vasquez asked “‘Mr Hernández, did you see anything in space that you couldn’t explain?’ Then he looked at me, he smiled and he laughed. He didn’t say a word.”
Whether or not you are interested in a career in STEM, SHPEjr can be a way to connect culturally with others, build community and get outside of your comfort zone. SHPEjr meets most Wednesdays in W220J. Contact Michelle Vasquez if you are interested in joining.
