Highline STEM students who want to learn more about physics are invited to get PHATT.
PHATT is an acronym for Physicists of Highline – Association of Thinkers & Tinkerers. Advised by Dr. Aleya Dhanji, the club aims to help students actively engage in the study of science in general and physics in particular.
Dr. Dhanji is a physics professor at Highline and teaches a variety of courses from conceptual physics for non-STEM majors to calculus-based engineering physics.
“My role is to support students, help facilitate the creation of plans that support students’ personal enrichment and learning, advise students on college success and generally be someone to listen and connect students to resources as needed,” she said.
“At the PHATT club, we are dedicated to bringing physics into the community. This is a space for those who have even a sliver of interest in physics, no experience or specific major required,” she said.
“When I first came to Highline, I noticed that the college used to have a chapter of the Society of Physics Students. This is a national organization under the umbrella of the professional society of physicists. I decided to resurrect it as I hoped that it would be a source of community, learning, and some fun for all STEM students,” Dr. Dhanji said.
The club has been running for more than three years, she said.
The club is run by students who lead the group and help facilitate collaborative decision-making. Students decide on what projects they want to work on each quarter, which can range anywhere from a model bridge contest to coding in Python to 3D printing, Dr. Dhanji said.
“This is interspersed with social events and study sessions. The club meets once a week. We currently interchange between on-campus and virtual events,” she said.
The COVID-19 Face Shield Project was one of the major achievements of the club a few years back, Dr. Dhanji said
“Classes in the health care degree programs would not have been possible without the face shields. These are the same face shields that are being used on campus right now to allow for safe in-person classes,” she said.
“I would also say that the club provides a space where students can meet other students with similar interests, build confidence in themselves and their ability to lead, and share their challenges with each other during their academic journey so that they feel part of a supportive community,” Dr. Danji said.
It is also a great space for students to develop communication, teamwork, and creative skills as students design workshops, events, and contests which they then market to campus, she said.
“I hope the club continues to grow and expand and attract more students. Once it is safe, we look forward to taking some field trips to see colleges, research labs at places like Boeing and NASA, and astronomical observatories,” Dr. Dhanji said.
“We would also love to offer fun workshops for all students on skills like 3D printing, physics of detecting earthquakes, liquid nitrogen ice cream, and more,” she said.
“Come join us on our journey to see how impactful physics can be, and you might learn something new,” Dr. Dhanji said.
To find out more about the club, contact Dr. Aleya Dhanji at adhanji@highline.edu.