Piscataway High School SNHS: Sparking Curiosity at Family Science Night

By Saanvi Patel

SNHS members, officers, and advisor gathered shortly before the event.

Piscataway High School’s chapter of the Science National Honor Society hosted its third annual Family Science Night, welcoming over 280 elementary students from the Piscataway community.

The event, held on February 20, 2026, featured thirteen engaging rooms with activities covering a wide range of scientific topics. Experiments such as Elephant Toothpaste and Model Volcanoes introduced children in Grades K-3 from Piscataway Township Schools to chemical reactions, enzymatic activity, and environmental phenomena. Meanwhile, the Paper Airplanes and Play-Doh-and-Toothpick Towers activities taught basic physics principles that any future engineer will need. The Medical Exploration room dug into human anatomy, teaching children about the skeletal system, spinal cord, and other body parts. Other activities included slime-making, a Play-Doh marble run, Lego Towers, Dinosaur Forensics, a Game Room, and science cartoons, which met the interests of every attendee. Children won gifts and candy for participating, motivating them to engage with their curiosity actively. Families had the opportunity to visit each of these rooms, providing insight into science’s vast applications in fields ranging from healthcare and forensics to materials science and architecture.

Feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive. In a post-event feedback form, 100% of parents reported that the event sparked a greater interest in science. Many commented that the event was well-organized, informative, and also fun and engaging. Families especially enjoyed taking photos at the astronomy- and ecology-related backdrops, which added a memorable touch to the event.

Behind Family Science Night’s success was the 95 high school volunteers who brought it to life, most of whom were SNHS members. Parents pointed out that their “teamwork and coordination,” “clear directions,” and “patience” elevated the experience for attendees. Each activity had a designated captain, who guided their room members and welcomed guests, ensuring that each room ran smoothly. By breaking down complex concepts to elementary school children, volunteers gained communication skills essential for any future STEM career. Vidushi Jain, 12th-grade SNHS member and captain of Dinosaur Forensics, “enjoyed helping kids discover how fun science can be” and “hopes the kids learn to love the wonders of biology and evolution,” which her room focused on. Her experience reflects the enthusiasm shared by many other volunteers to inspire younger students.

The chapter would also like to extend its gratitude to Piscataway High School’s SNHS Chapter Advisor, Dr. Janet Mrotek, and the Science Department Chair, Ms. Jessica Pritchard, for helping make this event the best it can be. Piscataway’s SNHS looks forward to expanding and enhancing Family Science Night, empowering even more young students to explore science in the coming years.

Members Ruhi Patel (11), Samantha Venturi (11), and Jalina Raro (12) presenting slime to their audience.

Children begin constructing towers using toothpick and PlayDoh following an informational presentation from volunteers.