(November 6, 2009) -- Senior Fahad Nathani has been a dedicated member of Engineering Club for the past three years. As a freshman, his curiosity enticed him to join the club to explore engineering techniques and concepts. “At first I was skeptical and hesitant to join because I was afraid it would take away from my social time,” Nathani said. “But when I started attending the meetings those thoughts soon became ephemeral.”

Gerald Gruss, ninth grade Engineering Club advisor, believes that Engineering Club is a great way for students to try out some engineering projects and see if they want to pursue engineering in the future. In his freshman year, Nathani put all his efforts into building an electric automobile and learning how to wire up a circuit board. Nathani and his teammates were able to build fast automobile which could climb hills easily.

We almost won the car race, but unfortunately did not get first place,” he said.  Nathani joined the club again his sophomore year to achieve his ultimate goal to win first place. “My teammates and I had not planned out our strategy well enough,” he said. “So we didn’t win.”

This year as an experienced member of the club, Nathani plans to mentor and help new members. “I will give pointers and tips to tenth and eleventh graders on how to design and construct their projects,” Nathani said. Throughout his years in the club he learned how to be a good competitor while honing his science skills. “What is impressive about this club is that students apply their knowledge of physics and engineering to real life,” Loussik Kassakhian, tenth to twelfth grade engineering club advisor, said.

Nathani’s experience sparked his interest in engineering as a career. “I am interested in engineering because it is a field that brings mankind many benefits with its science and technologies,” Nathani said.

He believes that this experience was worthwhile because he has learned how to cooperate with others to achieve a common goal. “This is my last year in the club, and I want to win the competition, since I’ve never won first place before,” Nathani said.