Imagiscience, a new student-run non-profit educational science organization, held its first event, “The College Experience: Inspiring Passion for Education in Our Youth,” at the Discovery Science Center on Monday, Dec. 19 from 4 to 8:30 p.m.
Founded by Homin Kwark and Aaron Na, juniors at Northwood High School, in September 2011, Imagiscience’s goal is to inspire widespread interest in science through events, competitions and programs, as participation in many science organizations and competition is limited to a small percentage of students.
“For our first event, we wanted something general, something that everyone could relate to—college,” said Kwark.
After a scavenger hunt around the Discovery Science Center, which allowed students to mingle with the speakers, the 10-minute presentations by the speakers began.
Six undergraduate and four graduate students from prestigious universities such as Harvard, Stanford and Rhode Island School of Design and one professional were invited to speak about their paths to their current positions.
The speakers emphasized that there was no “cookie-cutter” approach for getting into a high-ranking college; rather, it was an evident passion for something and the strong development of that passion that college admissions officers look for in candidates.
Kevin Mo, a senior undergraduate at Stanford University, spoke about his friend Terrance, who, like many others he has encountered in college, did not have perfect grades, contradicting the general assumption that an unblemished transcript was the key to being accepted into a top school.
“Terrance wanted to make an impact on his community, and worked to put a recycling bin in every single classroom in every single high school in San Francisco Chinatown, [where he grew up],” said Mo. “What he was great at was where his passion and ability lied, and he focused them on one point into doing something great.”
Andy Martens, a junior at Princeton University, encouraged the audience to “go outside your comfort zone—your passion might be something you have not found yet,” citing his enthusiasm for Arabic, which he “would not even have thought” he would be passionate about.
However, success is not an individual effort, but a team effort, said Alison Troung, a first year medical student at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
“When you go to college, don’t just go to lecture, be done with lecture, and go back to your dorm,” said Troung. “Go out and seek your professors. They’re the ones who are going to write your recommendations and guide you to where you want to go.”
Attendees said that they were further motivated by the fact that two speakers, Michael Britt, mathematics graduate student at Stanford School of Education, and Rick Cory, postdoctoral researcher at Walt Disney Imagineering, reached their positions despite their less-than-promising beginnings.
“At fourteen, when I looked in the mirror, I was staring at a high school dropout,” said Britt. “I had multiple learning disorders, many of which I still have. I was a special education student. I didn’t think I would become the mathematician I am now.”
Cory had a similar experience: “I barely graduated high school. I even failed a couple of electives like woodworking and graphic arts. [Then] I got kicked out of community college after one year and worked at Home Depot for four years.”
Attendees were also given exclusive 30-page packets consisting of the 11 speakers’ biographies, resumes and even some of their college application essays as they left the event.
“The event was very informative and really helped me to believe firmly that the most important factor in getting into a good college and developing my life is not something that people say is required and necessary to do but is my passion,” said Stella Sung, International Relations Director of Imagiscience.
Positive comments were also left on Imagiscience’s Facebook page, which currently has 667 followers.
“Hi Imagiscience, thanks for an unforgettable and inspirational event,” said Adella Guo, a sophomore at Northwood High School, on Imagiscience’s Facebook page. “Please continue your endeavor to inspire more students on [Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics (STEM)] education!”
Since its founding three months ago, Imagiscience has garnered much attention from both students and adults alike. More than 10 Imagiscience chapters have been established all over California within a few weeks of its founding, and executive team members have been invited to speak at various events such as the 2011 Youth Leadership Summit, California STEM Summit and TEDxYouth@kohlerSt.
More information about Imagiscience and its future events, as well as how to join the organization, can be found on imagiscience.org.
