On Friday, February 20th, members of Science National Honors Society (SNHS) hosted their annual Science Night, welcoming over 250 RSVP’d elementary students and their families for an evening of hands-on scientific exploration. From chemical reactions to fun engineering challenges, the C-Wing was transformed into an interactive space where curiosity took center stage.
With months of planning behind the scenes, the event offered young students the opportunity to rotate through various rooms filled with engaging experiments and activities. This year’s expanded turnout demonstrated just how much the event has grown within the community.
Senior and SNHS President Daniel Alekseyev described Science Night as “one of the most rewarding experiences of the year.” After helping lead months of preparation, he said, “Seeing months of planning come together and watching over 150 students walk through our doors excited to learn made all the work worth it.”
As president, Daniel’s role was largely organizational and supervisory. He coordinated room assignments, oversaw logistics, communicated with advisors and volunteers, and moved between rooms throughout the night to ensure everything ran smoothly. One of his biggest contributions this year was scripting a live room-status display for parents. “Last year the parents were confused and didn’t know which room to attend,” he explained. “The status page was a definite help this year.” The display allowed families to see which rooms were open, helping them plan their evening more efficiently.
For Daniel, however, the most meaningful moment was personal. “My favorite part of the night was actually seeing my younger sister attend the event,” he shared. “I caught a moment where she was smiling and fully engaged in one of the activities. That moment meant a lot to me. It reminded me that this event isn’t just something we organize, it directly impacts families in our own community.” Seeing his own family benefit from the event reinforced the impact Science Night has beyond the school walls.
Junior SNHS Secretary Dhivyasree Manimaran also reflected on her first year planning the event. “The experience was amazing,” she said. “This was my first year attending Science Night, let alone planning it, so it was amazing to see all the work and planning we put in to make the event possible.”
As secretary, Dhivyasree managed a portion of the rooms, helped resolve issues as they arose, documented the night through photographs, and created a detailed C-Wing map to guide families. “My favorite thing I made was definitely a map of the C-Wing that allowed attendees to find their way around,” she explained. Her efforts, along with Daniel’s status display, contributed to a more structured and organized experience compared to previous years.
Dhivyasree noted that one of her favorite parts of the evening was interacting with parents. “A lot of parents want to provide their kids with these fun and educative activities but don’t have the time, resources, etc. So parents were thrilled to see their kids nurturing their science knowledge and interest — and maybe to let their kid make slime and not have to worry about their house getting glue everywhere,” she added.
Advisor of SNHS, Dr. Mrotek, once again oversaw the event’s execution while allowing students to take the lead. She previously shared that the program is “mostly student led,” with officers organizing volunteers and managing the logistics. Reflecting on improvements from past years, she recalled how a parent who once complained about long lines later returned to praise the event, saying that “everything was great.” The continued refinement and expansion of Science Night this year further demonstrates the students’ ability to build on feedback and strengthen the program.
This year’s Science Night not only grew in size, but also in structure and leadership. From improved navigation tools to expanded turnout, SNHS members demonstrated organization, adaptability, and dedication to community service. As Daniel put it, “Science Night represents what SNHS is all about: leadership, service, and fostering a love for science.” With each year, the event continues to evolve, leaving elementary students inspired and SNHS members proud of the impact they are making.
