Peru High School Chapter of the
Science National Honor Society
Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas.
Fortunate is one who understands the causes of things. -Virgil
Welcome!
Established in 2009, the Peru (NY) Chapter of the Science National Honor Society is an organization of science teachers and junior/senior-level students designed to advance students’ knowledge of and interest in science through inquiry-based research. Membership into the SNHS is limited to Honors-level Juniors and Seniors that meet certain academic and behavioral criteria. Upon admission, students partake in a year-long research project that is designed, conducted, and analyzed by them based on what interests they have in the different fields of science. Faculty members from the Peru School District (high-, middle-, and primary-school) serve as mentors to help guide the students along their research project. Upon completion, results from the research projects are displayed and presented at the Champlain Valley Regional Science Fair in Plattsburgh, NY. Through these SNHS research projects, members go above-and-beyond what is required in their laboratory courses and get to experience the true nature of science… being able to take ownership of an idea that interests them and then apply the scientific method to answer the “what’s”, “why’s”, and “how’s” of the world around them.
Group Activities
Annual Microscope Day with 1st Graders
Began during the 2012-2013 school year, the Peru High School Science National Honor Society students put on a “Microscope Day” every year for a few 1st grade classrooms. During this day, SNHS students get an opportunity to show the 1st graders how to use stereomicroscopes while looking at a variety of specimens from the creepy crawly to a common piece of chalk. Students are encouraged to guess whether the specimens were once living or never living at all based on their powers of observation and the assistance of the microscopes. Laughter and excitement (and sometimes a little trepidation) fill the classrooms as both the juniors/seniors and 1st graders share in a fun time of exploratory learning through science.
SNHS Mini Science Fair
Every year sometime in April, the Peru High School Science National Honor Society members hold a mini-science fair where they display their research projects in the Library for the faculty and staff of Peru Central School District. Over the school year, these students work to devise, carry out, and analyze research topics of their own choosing. In past years, topics have ranged from assessing personality types of teachers in different subjects to analyzing the visual and auditory distractibility of students of different ages to the effects of cigarette and paper smoke on plant growth. In preparation for the Champlain Valley Regional Science Fair which is held towards the end of April at either SUNY Plattsburgh or Clinton Community College, this mini science fair allows the students to practice their presentations in front of science teachers who stand in as pseudo-judges.
Volunteering at the Peru Soup Kitchen
On February 11, 2015, seven members of the Peru High School Science National Honor Society volunteered at the local Peru Community Soup Kitchen. With co-advisor Mr. Hathaway’s attempts at coordinating all activities, students were involved in preparing drinks, serving salads and soups and meals, washing dishes, clearing plates, and tidying up afterwards. As has been custom in the past, community service is stressed in the SNHS and this activity allows members to give back to the members of our local Peru community.
On November 30, 2013, the Peru High School Science National Honor Society students volunteered at the local Peru Community Soup Kitchen. Eight SNHS students and both co-advisors were among a group of teenagers and adults that tied on aprons and set out to give those at the soup kitchen a hearty meal and good conversation. Whether it was washing dishes, telling a joke, clearing plates, or serving the hot meal, all of the students truly enjoyed the experience. In addition to their required research project, the Peru SNHS also wants to devote some time to serving the community. Volunteering at the soup kitchen is one of the ideas students have come up with as a way to give the community back some of the support that has been granted to the students throughout their academic career.
Chapter Goals
Goals of the Peru High School Chapter of the Science National Honor Society.
This chapter shall:
- Be affiliated with and fulfill the objectives of the Science National Honor Society, Inc.
- Encourage and recognize scientific and intellectual thought.
- Advance students’ knowledge of classical and modern science.
- Communicate with the scientific community.
- Aid the civic community with its comprehension of science.
- Establish science as a strength of the academic program of Peru High School.
- Improve public knowledge of Peru students’ science work, improve community connections, and incorporate local issues into our scientific study.
- Improve students’ college awareness through exposure to interesting, dynamic experiences that include college talents.
- Use inquiry-based projects to increase interest in upper-level science by utilizing high school science faculty members as research mentors.
Chapter Constitution
Click here to see the Peru SNHS Constitution. 
Research Project Timeline
Click here to see the Timeline Detailing Due Dates for the Research Project.
Application Process
Applying
To apply for acceptance into the Peru High School Chapter of the Science National Honor Society, you must meet the following criteria:
- be entering into 11th or 12 grade
- be enrolled in at least 1 honors-level science class during or prior to the 11th grade year and at least 2 honor-level science classes by the 12th grade year
- maintain an 85 average across all science course
If you meet all criteria above and are interested in applying, links to the required forms can be found below. Students must complete an SNHS Application Form that includes academic information and an essay detailing why you want to be a part of the SNHS and what you hope to bring to the group. In addition, applicants must obtain 2 Teacher Evaluation Forms – one from a science teacher and another from a teacher in any subject area. These evaluations will help us assess your academics, motivation, character, and areas of strength in science.
Acceptance into the SNHS will be based on the quality of your essay, grades in science classes, character, and teacher evaluations. In addition, the SNHS Acceptance Committee may interview you to further judge your fit into the SNHS.
All materials must be submitted to Mr. Hathaway. The due date can be found on the application.
SNHS National Site
SNHS is a prominent scientific organization that will engender a new group of young thinkers who will be the future of industry, research, and scientific exploration for America.
To learn more click here to visit the SNHS website.
Contact Us
Feel free to email us with any questions or comments:
| Name | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Hathaway | Living Environment Teacher | rhathaway@perucsd.org |
| Pat Cannamela | Chemistry Teacher | pcannamela@perucsd.org |