By Rhythm Sehgal
CAGIS Youth Member
Hi! My name is Rhythm Sehgal, and I’m 11 years old and in sixth grade. I absolutely love science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). I love it so much that I started a science club at school. Now, kids from grades 3 and 4 who are just as excited about science as I am, can hang out, do awesome experiments, and have a blast learning about the world of science.
My Inspiration
I got the idea to start a science club during one of the CAGIS sessions. I found out that many girls are told not to go into STEM careers, and I thought, “That’s not fair!” I wanted to change that. Girls should be able to follow their dreams just like anyone else. So, I started a science club to encourage younger girls (and boys too!) to explore science and chase their dreams. Even small efforts can make a big difference, and I want everyone to have the same chances in STEM.
How it All Began
I had this big dream in fifth grade. It was the end of the school year, and I was determined to make it happen. Ever since I was in grade 2, I wanted to start a club, but teachers always said I was “too little.” Finally, I was old enough to take charge, so I went for it. The process was pretty tough and took way longer than I thought. It needed a lot of perseverance and dedication. I had to fill out tons of applications for the principal and answer questions like “What is the objective of your club? Who is the audience? Do you need planning support? What are some examples of your topics and a conclusion?” I also had to convince a teacher to supervise the club, which wasn’t easy. But finally, I got the green light from the principal, and it was all worth it.
About my Club
Each session is super fun and has two parts. First, I introduce the topic and share what I’ve learned from CAGIS sessions. Then, we dive deep into the topic, sharing our knowledge and having awesome discussions. In the second part, we do hands-on experiments in small groups to test our hypotheses. At the end of the session, I collect everyone’s observations to pick a winner of the day. The winner is chosen based on attention during the session, participation, effort in the experiment, and the result. The club meets twice a week: on Tuesday (grade 4) and Thursday (grade 3). Before the school week starts, I think about past CAGIS events I have attended to get ideas for the next experiment.
What I have Learned
This was way harder than I thought it would be. At first, I thought I just needed to get permission and give the details to my teacher, and that would be it. But I soon realized there was a lot more to it. From presenting my vision of the science club to the principal to convincing my teacher to supervise every Tuesday and Thursday during recess, it was a long process. Keeping the younger students engaged and interested for three months was tiring but super rewarding.
The first thing I learned was that planning ahead is super important. This involved posting flyers, making announcements, facilitating sign-ups, and more. Also, I had to decide what we would do each week, on the weekend before the club.
I also learned how to work with other people and got better at explaining things. Teaching cool science topics to younger kids was tricky at first, but after practicing, I got really good at showing them what to do. We had a blast when things worked out, like when we made our own magnifying glasses.
My club is doing way better than I expected. Even though there were a few mistakes, everything has turned out great so far. I’m really excited for the upcoming sessions and for all the new things we will do.
My Favourite Experience
It’s so exciting to share my knowledge and skills with others, especially when they’re super enthusiastic and motivated to learn. I love how everyone in the club gets so excited to try new things together. We’re all learning and laughing, and it makes science even more fun. The best part is knowing that every week, there’s something new and cool to try, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll do next. Starting the club was definitely a great idea.
What I am Most Proud of
The thing I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come. At first, I wasn’t sure anyone would be interested, but when the sign-ups happened, I was amazed to see over 65 students show up. I was so happy to see that my efforts had drawn so many people in. Since this is my final year at St. Cecilia, I’ve been thinking about passing on the leadership role to someone who is just as passionate about making a difference. It would be awesome to hand over the club to someone eager to continue what I’ve started, and I hope they’ll carry it forward with the same energy and dedication. I want the club to thrive even after I’ve graduated and leaving it in capable hands feels like the right step.
About the Author
Rhythm is an active member of CAGIS who has participated in chapter events and CAGIS Virtual events for the past five years. She is passionate about STEM and inspiring future generations to get involved!
