Unequal opportunities given within the STEM program

There are three different STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) pathways at San Marin High School: engineering, which focuses on the physical sciences, biotechnology (biotech), which focuses more on biological science, and STEAM, which focuses on how art works within science. When I first heard about these programs, everyone talked about the engineering pathway and how they get to do fun projects. In 2023, when I was applying for STEM, the STEAM pathway was not an option. All of the exciting things that get the majority of the attention, like the catapult and the Rube Goldberg project, happen freshman or senior year.

As a junior, the past two years in STEM have felt like a normal science class, because I do the same things in class as non-STEM students do. The one specialized class that I was supposed to take, Ecology, was removed, meaning I did not have two science classes for my sophomore year, which is one of the most emphasized focuses of any STEM pathway. I was not aware that biotech gets to go on field trips to places that correlate to their pathway until after I had picked the engineering pathway. Biotech has the opportunity to go to places like the Buck Institute, where you see what you are studying in the real world. Engineering and STEAM do not even get guest speakers in their classes. This makes me feel like what I am studying is pointless, because I have not seen how it can be turned into a career. It feels like engineering is always coming in second to biotechnology. 

Recently, I noticed that biotechnology gets stolen, which is a sash given to students during graduation for participating in a special program. Additionally, they receive a certificate for completing the biotechnology Career Technical Education program, which helps them stand out when applying for undergraduate internships and research. Along with the certification they also get four units of college credits through Solano Community College which can be used towards their desired degree. This made me feel even more insignificant compared to biotechnology, because the two other pathways only receive a cord for graduation. To me, a cord does not hold the same amount of weight as a stole and a certificate.

I realized that I missed out by not being in the biotech program. Now, after learning about all different types of science, I feel as though I have missed the opportunity to really boost my college application by being in a program that is more directed towards biology.