Science Park High School's Class of 2020. PRESTIGE ...

Science Park High School 260 Norfolk Street, Newark, NJ 07103 Volume 11, Issue 3 May 2020

senior activities has changed, efforts continue being made to preserve such events, with Superintendent Leon guarantee-ing in his May 5th letter to the Newark community “the most incredible graduation ceremony

this city has ever experienced.” Adding that, “While graduation and other district events may look different than what we have become accustomed to, our goal will be to keep as much as pos-sible consistent with previously set expectations.” This is a trying time, but it

BRUNO COELHO, Class of 2020

As of Tuesday, May 5th, Go-vernor Phil Murphy has

ordered all New Jersey schools to continue at-home distance learning for the remainder of the school year. Though this does not come as a shock to many, it is the reality of the situation that we are living under. All students have been and will continue to be affected by this necessary precaution, and is an experience that is sure to change the idea of normality forever. The Class of 2020, however, is one that is being affected by these unfortunate circumstances the most. In being senior year, it is an important time in which students come together to celebrate themselves, each other, and their accomplish-ments before moving forward to another chapter in their lives. This pandemic that we are liv-ing under, has of course, taken control over this time, and made the idea that was had for senior year a differing one. While the original idea of the final days of high school with prom and other

Science Park High School's Class of 2020. / PRESTIGE PORTRAITS

At Home Learning Continues For the Rest of the School Year As We Say Goodbye to the Senior Class

is important to recognize that soon it will be over. For now, all we can do is: Stay Safe. Stop the Spread. Save Lives. n

“our goal will be to keep as

much as possible consistent with previously set expectations.”

THE Voltage Newark, NJ Page 2

SCIENCE PARK NEWS

D'ANDRA THOMAS, Class of 2020

The environment at Science Park High School is one of

immense academic competi-tion, and acquiring and maintai-ning a high GPA can often lead to stress. Amongst the student body, stress is a common factor and a recurring issue that nega-tively affects the mental health of every student. Seniors, es-pecially, experience a spike in stress levels due to college res-ponsibilities and the workload given throughout the school year can exacerbate those stress levels.

One of the most prominent stressors is the amount of school work given to students on avera-ge everyday. Many seniors sign up for and take advanced clas-ses such as honors, AP, and IB classes, which can cause stress due to the amount of work gi-ven. In addition to coursework, seniors also participate in ex-tracurricular activities that take up a great deal of their time.The amount of work they receive in comparison to the time that is allotted to complete it is very li-ttle when afterschool programs demand their time. When the level of a class is factored in, the work that a student is given can increase. For example, students taking IB classes receive a lot of work and yet, some students still partake in extracurriculars. That amount of work in addi-tion to other responsibilities the student has tends to take a toll on them mentally. Students taking other classes such as AP and Honors classes also tend to receive a lot of work in addition to other responsibilities.

Aside from their responsi-bilities to school and social life, college requirements as well as scholarship applications can

take up a lot of time. When fac-toring in the amount of time seniors are required to spend in extracurriculars, completing homework, and filling out scho-larship applications, it can beco-me overwhelming very quickly. Although current classes are im-portant, planning ahead for co-llege is just as important. Being flexible with assignments can give students an added amount of time to complete their assig-nments and, therefore, reduce stress.

Many seniors also have jobs that also take up a huge fraction of their time. Seniors who take multiple AP classes and have jobs are also stressed and do not have a lot of time to complete assignments and get a healthy amount of sleep. Therefore slee-piness is more likely and beco-ming overwhelmed is inevitable. Taking in account the amount of

work a student receives on ave-rage, stress is bound to become an issue and teachers should be more flexible with assignments. That alone can reduce stress and result in a major improvement in the mental health of students.

Every student at Science Park experiences a lot of stress during the school year. Howe-ver, there are many things they can do to reduce stress.

• For one, instead of waiting

until the day before to complete an assignment, students should manage their time and space out the amount of work they are required to complete. By doing that, they can complete an as-signment little by little without feeling overwhelmed.

• Reintroducing administra-tion policies such as no collec-tion Thursdays is another solu-tion to reduce stress among the general student body. Students are able to take comfort in the fact that no assignments will be collected on that specific day and are able to unwind.

• As a way to reduce stress and reinforce mental health, a study hall should be given to the students who have empty slots in their schedules. That will allow them a well needed break.

•In addition, over long school breaks, teachers should not as-sign homework. Holidays from school can provide students with a break from their usual in-tensive classes. They can enjoy their break without having to worry about completing assign-

ments for school. • The amount of AP classes

that a senior can take should be limited to 3. Most seniors tend to sign up for more AP classes than they can manage in the long run. Limiting the amount of AP classes can reduce the stresses experienced by many seniors. Therefore, they are able to maintain a healthy mental state.

• Although the school has in-corporated a space for students to unwind, it is saddening that it is now closing. This is a spa-ce that many students can relax and unwind from stress caused by their classes and closing it is detrimental to students.

• Although many things are not in the control of students, some problems are. For instan-ce, the choice to take multiple AP classes is something that students can control. In addi-tion to that, time management is also a huge factor in redu-cing stress. It is to the students’ discretion how well they utilize their time. Nevertheless, stress due to excess assignments is a major issue that needs to be ad-dressed. n

D'ANDRA THOMAS, Class of 2020

It’s senior year, and that means even more stress than nor-

mal. As a senior, I have had first hand experience in dealing with unwanted stress and avoiding too much stress is very much doable.

One of the things that make senior year so much more stress-ful are college applications. The key to reducing heightened stress is to start as early as your junior year on your personal sta-tement. This will allow you to think about what you are passio-nate about which will allow you to really write a great statement, and reduce the stress of rushing to finish it. In addition to that, writing supplements can also be demanding. However, doing as much as possible in your free time can be a huge help. The best method is to try and finish the questions as early as possible in one go so you do not have to worry about completing them after the writing portions. The app opens on the first of August every year, so getting a head start in the summer is also a good op-tion in reducing stress.

Another thing to avoid as much stress as possible is to limit the amount of AP classes in your senior year. I know, AP classes are a great way to boost your gpa, and who doesn’t want that, but it can also be a drag. Sure, taking 3 AP classes is fine, but signing up for more is just asking for stress. It may seem great initially, but as time goes on, it will only be-come even more stressful when other responsibilities---such as extracurricular activities or jobs or even your personal life---are factored in. Before rushing to sign up for a lot of AP classes, think about which classes you really want to take and how it will actually benefit you. As for students who take IB classes, choosing how many is not a lu-xury you might have. However, doing your work in a timely man-ner and not procrastinating is a way to reduce stress.

Waiting until the day before an assignment is due to actually do it is tempting, is it not? Pro-crastination is also one major cause of stress and can and will be the bane of your existence. Spacing out the amount of work you have, doing little by little un-til the due date is a really effecti-ve way to reduce stress and help you mentally.

Being in very stressful situa-tions in senior year is an issue that every senior experiences. Although feeling stressed is in-evitable, reducing the amount is possible. Following the guideli-nes above can hopefully help to reduce the stress levels so that senior year can be less stressful.

n

Avoiding Senior Stress: The Honest Advice

Clayton High School Hosts De-Stress Day //KMOX NEWS RADIO

Senior Stress: Its Causes and Possible Solutions

“Reintroducing administration policies such as

no collection Thursdays is

another solution to reduce stress

among the general student body.”

Protect your brain from stress. /Harvard Health Publishing

“The amount of AP classes that a senior can take

should be limited to 3.”


ASHLEY LOURENCO, Class of 2025

The Editor-in-Chief's Farewell Letter to the Newspaper


Before coming to High School, I had never thought

about joining the newspaper, and when I decided to, I had a lot to learn. I was in a room with students that were older than me, and I began to write some articles, as well as learning how to do the newspaper layout. This was something that took some time, but I got the hang of it. Sin-ce that time, following the gra-duation of those older than me, I took over the paper - a task that I had become ready to do. The newspaper allowed me to grow - both as a writer but also in its ability to develop a skill set that I had not known was available to me. One such new skill was the new approach I had taken on the layout. I wanted to leave my own mark on the paper, and when I became Editor-in-Chief I took steps to make the paper look as it does today.

I am forever thankful to the paper and Mr. Townsend for all that I have accomplished in

Executive Council

The Theater Club: 10-minute Play and BeyondCalling on all

SPHS students and staff to sup-port the Theatre

Club! Watch as your own student

body showcases their entertain-

ing talents, and if you're interested, you can partici-

pate in it too. The club conducted

a 10-minute play and they have more projects

planned for the future.

this role, and I want especially to thank the staff. There were ups and downs, as there always are, but I will forever appreciate all of the ideas that you gave me and all that you have contrib-uted to the paper. I am so glad that I was able to participate and work with you all who were in the paper with me - past and present. I know that you will continue after I have gone, and I hope that you will continue to carry the long history of the newspaper as one that cel-ebrates our school and informs the student body on all internal and external events.

The school newspaper is a perfect place to learn more about yourself and others, and anyone who wants to be part of it should join. It is an amazing opportunity and I know you will enjoy it. Again, to those I have crossed paths with, thank you. And to those who are yet to come - have fun and good luck.

n

THE Voltage Newark, NJ Page 4Beyond SCIENCE PARK

The Existential Threat of the Australia Fires


For months, there have been record-breaking droughts in

Australia that have led to massi-ve, devastating bushfires across the region. Currently, over 60 fires are in progress, with rain and temperature fluctuating - both mitigating and aggravating the issue. More than 30 people have been killed and 24.7 million acres of bush, parks, and other places have been burned. These destructive fires have been occu-rring since the beginning of No-vember 2019, and no clear end is in sight. The most affected parts of Australia that were hit include New South Wales and Victoria.

Thousands of homes have been lost, forcing many to seek shelter elsewhere during these dire times. Some 1,100 firefigh-ters are working towards sto-pping the fires, and tragically, about a dozen have died in the process. In addition to the sad loss of human life, the forestial ecosystem has also been gravely affected. An estimated 30,000 koalas have died in the fires so far, with tens of thousands of other plants and animals losing their lives. The Australian Koala Foundation estimates that there are less than 100,000 koalas left in the wild, possibly as few as 43,000. The presence of the fire is yet another event that poses a massive threat to their existen-ce. In total, 480 million animals have died. A large social media campaign has been created to

highlight this present and exis-tential threat, to promote efforts in providing care to animals that are currently trapped and those that have become injured and survived the fire.

With its collapsing industries like the Adelaide Hills wine in-dustry, the fires’ effects have not only harmed wildlife but the economy as well. The spread of smoke has polluted the air and reduced air quality across the country, going as far as New Zealand. Traveling more than 7,000 miles away, the black car-

bon is continuing to contribute to climate change, while also be-ing harmful to human life.

Dating back to as early as 1926, Australia has had a pattern of deadly fires, with the most casualties appearing in fires SE Victoria (1926, 60 deaths), Black Friday Victoria (1939, 71 deaths), Black Tuesday Tasma-nia (1967, 72 deaths), and Black Saturday Victoria (2009, 173 deaths). Fires spread faster than the average person can run - fo-rest fires spread at around a rate of 6.7mph, grass fire at 14mph,

while the average human runs at 6.12mph. This clearly explains the casualties and direct damage that they have had on the wild and plants, in addition to human life.

There are debates on whether the cause of this fire was hu-man-based or by natural events. Lightning, for example, could have struck dry vegetation, spar-king fires. This, however, leads to bush fires, which can actually drive thunderstorms and increa-se the risk of lightning strikes and additional fires. Bushfires

can create their own weather by developing pyrocumulonimbus clouds, which have led to massi-ve amounts of death in the past decade. Australia has warmed by a little more than 1 degree Cel-sius compared to data from 1910, with an all-time average tempe-rature of 41.9 degrees Celsius, certainly helping to perpetuate such tragic events. It is clear that this is yet another event that has been designated as an effect of global warming. n

Devastating Fire in Australia Forest on Jan 4, 2020. /Fairfax Media Getty Images

Australia Fires Map as of Jan 6, 2020. /Fox 4

COVID-19: What is True, What is False, and How To Keep Yourself Safe


With COVID-19 rapidly in-creasing in numbers, it

can be frightening. With this, misinformation can be easily spread. Here’s what you can keep in mind:

-You do not need medical equipment. People have been buying large amounts of N95 masks as an over precautionary measure in fighting this disease, however, it is having other im-plications. Surgeons and other doctors fighting the virus are currently going through a shor-tage of supplies that they despe-rately need. The risk of catching the virus in the US is low overall but will depend on community transmission, which is higher in some regions than in others. You do not need a mask unless you yourself are sick in public.

-The virus usually is not spread through objects. It spreads from one person to ano-ther, most likely through dro-plets of saliva or mucus carried in the air for up to six feet or when an infected person coughs or sneezes. However, it is impor-tant to keep cleaning your devi-ces often to lessen the risk, as it is easier to catch it from frequently touched objects if someone sick has been in contact with it.

-There is no reason to suspect that packages from China harbor COVID-19. As same as packages don’t harbor the flu, we don’t stop receiving packages from China during their flu season. This will not

affect sickness.-In most parts of the US,

it is far more likely to be the flu or another viral illness if you are concerned that you or someone else has co-ronavirus. Only people with symptoms of severe respiratory illness should seek medical care in the ER. Severe symptoms are rapid heart rate, low blood pres-

sure, high or very low tempera-tures, confusion, trouble brea-thing, and severe dehydration. Call ahead to tell the ER that you are coming so they can be prepa-red for your arrival.

-The World Health Or-ganization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency, but that is not a reason to be more concer-

ned. They have declared it as such so that more re-sources can be unlocked to combat it.

Here's what you can do to lower your

chances of catching the virus:

-Make sure you are cleaning your hands after be-ing in public with soap and wa-ter for around 20 seconds. For

convenience, you should keep hand sanitizer on you to be using in school, at work, or anywhere else.

-Clean your devices! If you can, clean it at least once a day or every other day. Phones can spread bacteria extremely easily, so make sure you are ta-king caution.

-Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mou-th.

-Make sure your face is clean.

n

Map of Coronavirus Cases Worldwide. /The New York Times

Ultrastructural morphology ex-hibited by coronaviruses. /Alissa Eckert/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / AFP - Getty Images

Coronavirus: Tips to Avoid It. /BBC

THE Voltage Newark, NJ Page 5Opinions

continued to slip from his per-formance in the 2016 primary against Hillary Clinton. Sand-ers does have stronger support from the Latinx community, but his lack of support among African Americans has proven to be a big blow to his cam-paign.

In recent weeks it became clear that Sanders had no way of winning the nomination, leading him to drop out and later endorse Joe Biden. Biden has also received key endorse-ments from Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, as well as a number of other Democratic leaders. Over the recent days, there has been speculation to-

wards his vice-presidential pick. Biden has said that he wants his VP pick to be an accurate rep-resentation of the diversity in the United States - highlighting that he wants to pick a woman to be his running mate. Specu-lation has been brewing on who this person might be - from former campaign rivals such as Senators Harris, Klobuchar, and Warren to the rising star Governor of Michigan, whose endorsement helped Joe Biden win big in the state’s primary (some pictured below). Now it is all a matter of seeing who he will choose. It can only be one - who will it be? n


We are about 6 months from the 2020 General Presi-dential Election - which of the two major party candidates for president will win?

Of over the 20 candidates that launched a bid for Presi-dent of the United States, only two remained in the race until a short time ago: Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.

Following the first Super Tuesday of the Democratic Pri-mary on March 3, 2020, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden came to be seen as the two most viable candidates in the race, leading to the suspension of the cam-paigns of Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Michael Bloom-berg, and Elizabeth Warren. Joe Biden received key endorse-ments from Buttigieg, Klobu-char, Bloomberg, O’Rourke, Harris, Booker, and Yang. These were certainly helpful to Joe Biden on this and the following Super Tuesday on March 10, widening his lead in the Demo-cratic Primary delegate count. Bernie Sanders did not receive any such key endorsements.

This large gap in the delegate count, along with key endorse-ments, has made it clear to many that it is becoming more difficult for Bernie Sanders to find a way, mathematically, to reach the

number of required delegates to become the nominee. It is his right to carry this fight to the Democratic National Con-vention in July, but if the pro-cess were to get that tight and complicated, it is fair to assume that many regular delegates and superdelegates will see Joe Biden as the safest choice to run against Donald Trump.

As Bernie Sanders makes clear, most of America agrees with his progressive ideas: Medicare For All, Canceling Stu-dent Loan Debt, Increasing Tax-es for the Wealthy… the problem is what many refer to as elect-ability. Regardless of favoring

the ideas of Sanders over Biden, most will still always pick Biden because since he is a moderate, he is seen as the person who will

attract more moderate Republi-cans and independents in an ef-fort to beat Trump. Sanders, on the other hand, is not a candi-date that has such a large band-width of support in comparison to Biden.

The two candidates have also different strengths. While Biden appeals more towards older, as well as college edu-cated suburban voters, Sanders appeals more towards younger, urban voters. Both are very large groups, but another key demographic that is critically analyzed in all democratic pri-maries - and especially in this one - is the black vote. In the Mississippi Primary, Biden re-ceived 84% of the black vote (NBC) and in the Texas Primary He also received 60% compared to Sanders’ 17% (NY Times). Biden outperforms Sanders on a large scale that Sanders has

Biden Wins!

Politics du Jour

Possible VP Candidates

The Hill

From Left to Right: Stacey Abrams, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Amy

Klobuchar, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Kamala Harris

BIDEN WINS


VICTORIA INAHUAZO, Class of 2020

In today’s world, self confi-dence is vital in almost every

aspect of our lives, yet so many people struggle to find it. Sadly, this can be a vicious circle - peo-ple who lack self-confidence can find it difficult to become suc-cessful. However, there are ways to boost your self-confidence. Your level of self-confidence can show in many ways: your beha-vior, your body language, how you speak, what you say, and so on. Take notice of common con-fident behavior with behavior as-sociated with low self-confiden-ce. Which thoughts or actions do you recognize in yourself and people around you?

One of the most important ways of becoming more confi-

dent is by monitoring your own progress. When you have this in mind it becomes easier to im-prove on what needs to be done. Another thing is to admit your mistakes, and learn from them. Looking after yourself helps gain confidence. Self-confidence depends on a combination of good physical health, emotional health and social health. It is hard to feel good about your-self if you hate your physique or constantly have low energy. Make time to cultivate great ex-ercise (when convenient), eating and sleep habits. In addition, dress the way you want to feel. You have heard the saying that “clothes make the man.” Build your self-confidence by making the effort to look after your own needs. By all means, choose in-

dependence, not dependence. Do things on your own if they make sense to you, even when no one else is willing to accom-pany you. Do that assignment that no one else wants to do- but you want to, take that trip to go alone, go watch a movie all by yourself, take that job that people warned you about. Stop asking others to get involved in every little thing you do, stop seeking their approval in your undertakings.

Even being independent in tiniest of things you never even considered, like making your own food, cleaning your room, washing your clothes, or track-ing your spendings, can pro-vide you with a strong sense of independence. As you begin to explore your world alone,

Simple Steps To Building Self - Confidence

you’ll see it with new eyes of confidence which can help you gain perspective. A strong self-esteem comes from a strong feeling of independence. Keep in mind though that it is always good to maintain a balance. If you are under-confident, you’ll avoid taking risks and stretching yourself; and you might not try at all.

On the other hand, if you’re over-confident, you may take on too much risk, stretch yourself beyond your capabilities, and crash badly. You may also find that you’re so optimistic that you don’t try hard enough to truly succeed. All of these factors rely on how you choose to think about yourself, because that is what you convey to the world.

The good news is that becom-

ing more confident is readily achievable, just as long as you have the focus and determina-tion to carry things through. The bad news is that gaining confi-dence is not something which occurs overnight. Taking the time to build it up will achieve better results. What’s even bet-ter is that the things you’ll do to build your self-confidence will also build success – after all, your confidence will come from real, solid achievement. No one can take this away from you! n

Facilitating Open Minds: The Importance of Inclusivity

Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Ethics. /IEEE Spectrum

CHRISTABEL OTOO, Class of 2020

Imagine constantly mingling with different types of people from di-

fferent cultural backgrounds, as well as exchanging new and interesting ideas. Diversity has multiple benefits to society, especially when it comes to cultural diversity consisting of the interactions with people from different cultures. This is important because cultural diversity is very prominent in schools, workplaces, and in most places in society. In order for people to learn from each other through this kind of cultural diversity, they must have a level of understanding of each other. Be-ing able to exchange ideas with one another helps us comprehend the di-fferent perspectives that individuals within our society hold. It can assist to decrease the stereotypical sayings, biases, and perceptions that people have towards different groups of people from different ethinic back-grounds or cultures.

Furthermore, cultural diversity also helps us to create a community of respect where we build on each other’s trust as we try to understand different cultures. As people from diverse cultures interact with each other, new ways of thinking and lan-guages are developed which helps society become an interesting place.

Diversity in EducationWhen it pertains to education,

studying in an international environ-ment provides an advantage to stu-dents because they would be expo-sed to different ideas, cultures, and beliefs. Studies have shown that di-versity in schools and universities in-crease a student’s performance as it enables them to focus and work har-der when they are cooperating with people of different backgrounds. Diversity extends beyond education, which is crucial in leadership as well. Having teachers and staff members from different backgrounds enhan-ces the education of the student and

ensures that they get an encom-passing view of a topic.

Diversity in WorkplaceDiversity in the workplace

leads to many benefits within the working environment of companies. When there are a large number of employed indi-viduals who are diverse people, it increases creativity in that en-vironment where distinct ideas are combined into greatness, which “opens the door” to in-novation. A study by Harvard Business Review revealed that

diverse teams solve problems faster than similar people as a result of bringing diverse solu-tions to the table.

People Should Embrace

DiversityWays to increase a level of

understanding with different cultures is by interacting with them.

People should preclude en-forcing values or beliefs on others that goes against or crea-te a certain conflict with their own cultures.

People should recognize that although some people from di-fferent backgrounds may not be proficient in English, their limi-tations or level of intellectual ability should not be pre-deter-mined, and we should still try to communicate with them in a respectful manner.

People should be welcoming and accepting of ideas that are different from their own as well as being good listeners.

The acceptance of diversity has a higher chance of making society's treatment of other in-

dividuals improve and be more pleasant due to the decrease of ignorance. Having a culturally diverse group of people in any community or society is impor-tant because a society that lacks this diversity has caused a lot of problems and misconceptions.n

Diversity. /IEEE Spectrum


The Newark Museum Explorers Program: More Than Just A Museum Internship

sky tours in my current intern-ship at the museum’s Dreyfuss Planetarium, I have learned so much about myself within a professional setting and ex-plored different interests. The bi-weekly workshops during the school year have also given me skills that I will be able to use within college and beyond. From learning how to budget to creating a professional resume, I definitely feel well prepared for my future endeavors. With the Explorers Program, I have visited many different muse-ums such as The Metropolitan

Museum of Art and The Phila-delphia Museum of Art, and The New Bedford Whaling Mu-seum! I have also visited many different institutions of higher education including Columbia University, Princeton Univer-sity, The Fashion Institute of Technology, and more.

During my senior year in the program, I have created a proposal for an audio tour app in hopes of bettering the teen visitor experience at The New-ark Museum of Art. My pro-posal and prototype will be on display in the senior exhibition

alongside the other projects created by the entire Explorer senior class. Needless to say, The Newark Museum Explorers Program is a robust and unique program that is unmatched. It is so much more than just a museum internship and has truly impacted my life in many different positive ways.

To all rising freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, the Newark Museum will NOT take any new applica-tions at this time due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

In the next few years, check with the program to become a part of it! n

Explorers Program 2019-2020.

GABRIELA MARTINEZ, Class of 2020

Have you ever visited The Newark Museum? You may

have visited on an elementary school trip or a teen night. You may have never visited at all. The Newark Mu-seum, which has recently evolved into its new name, The Newark Mu-seum of Art, has played a major role in my development and growth into a multifaceted young woman.

I was reaching the end of my freshman year and I was simply tired of going home directly at 2:40 p.m. I would always be the first one out of the door and never re-ally participated in many extracur-ricular activities. I remember see-ing that the application was open in the spring of 2017 and I took the chance and applied! I interviewed a couple of months later and the rest is history. I had officially joined the program in the summer of 2017 as a rising sophomore and at the time, the program catered to about 40 to-tal students from different schools within and around Newark. For my first summer, I volunteered in Camp Newark Museum, facilitating les-sons with young students and be-gan to navigate my way around the museum. I officially began my paid internship during the fall of 2017 as a sophomore in high school.

When the Explorers Program was created 25 years ago, it was strictly focused on the sciences. Today, the Explorers Program is a college, ca-reer and life readiness program that enables Newark-area high school students to build essential skills and self-confidence through a curricu-lum that draws upon the Museum’s unique collections, resources, and staff. Every year, 40+ students from diverse backgrounds learn about their passions and strengths and de-velop new skills as public speakers, teachers, researchers, and leaders. Students are also paid for their par-ticipation in the Program. Explorers rotate through internships in differ-ent areas of the Museum and lead student-designed projects to gain real-life experience in a variety of jobs and fields of study.

In addition, students attend workshops focused on leadership training, public speaking, team-building, and museum-based art and science projects that promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engi-neering, and Mathematics) learn-ing. Group trips to other institutions of culture and learning are another important part of the Explorers' ex-perience. Over their three to four-year tenure in the Program, partici-pants must commit to spending six after-school hours per week in the program during the school year, in addition to 30 hours of community service per year, and 25 hours per week each summer. Students are also given free SAT prep towards the end of each summer.

Since the program began 25 years ago, more than 300 students have graduated from the Explorers Program. Over the past 12 years, 100% of students graduating from the Program attended institutions of higher education.

I am truly grateful for every-thing I have experienced with the Explorers Program within the past three years. From interning in the education and accounting depart-ments, to writing and giving tours within the galleries, and to giving

THE VOLTAGEEditor-in-Chief: Bruno CoelhoStaff: Jahkai Coleman, Nilmo Contreras, Ian Etienne, Owen Flores, Mei Gazama, Victoria Inahuazo, Ashley Lourenco,Temidayo Ogundare, Sumaya Orphelia, Christabel Otoo, Jayleen Rolon, D’Andra Thomas, Tyler VagueiroFreelance: Gabriela MartinezAdvisor: Mr. Townsend

Mr. Townsend

The Executive Council

Tyler Vagueiro|Bruno Coelho|Owen Flores

THE Voltage Newark, NJ

Editor-in-Chief’s Quote Pick:

“The most important political office is that

of the private citizen.”

- Justice Louis Brandeis

JOIN US!THURSDAYS

2:50

MR.TOWNSEND’S

ROOM - 218

hkm

Across3. overcome with rage or anger5. a lover of words7. excessively concerned with minor details

or rules8. playfully quaint or fanciful10. excessive pride or self-confidence

Down1. kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit2. think deeply about something4. calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation6. so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring9. suppose that something is true without having evidence to

confirm it

Science Park High School's Class of 2020. PRESTIGE ...

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