HELIOS
12 RISING INEQUITY DISPROPORTIONATE SEA LEVEL IMPACT ON BIPOC COMMUNITIES VOLUME V,
6 MUSEUM ETHICS
PROS AND CONS OF COLONIAL ARTIFACT ACQUISITION
Cover graphic by Sarah Xie
IN THIS ISSUE:
Dear reader,
Welcome to the first Helios Magazine issue of the school year! After many hours of meticulous planning and late production nights, of poring over pages and polishing articles, our efforts culminate in this vibrant series of stories. Please know that it was absolutely worth the wait.
As you dive into this issue, you’ll discover the social and personal impacts of art across various mediums ranging from photography to doodling, as well as its intersection with education, all in our Arts section. In our Culture section, you can stay current on issues and events circulating in both the Palo Alto community and on a national scale. Or, in our STEM section, read about inequality rooted in environmental issues, plus promoting diversity in STEM fields.
Publishing this issue would not have been possible without our dedicated staff. Thank you for writing articles, attentively editing, drawing graphics, interviewing sources, designing layouts and putting your best effort into everything you do. We would like to give a special thanks to our visual arts editor, Sarah Xie, who designed the stunning front-page graphic.
We truly hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed making it. Now, without further ado, enjoy!
Your Editors-in-Chief, Sarah Grupenhoff and Sylvie Nguyen
Helios, Gunn’s arts, culture, and STEM magazine, publishes one color issue each semester. Join as a writer, designer or artist Tuesdays at lunch in N-106. All are welcome!
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Sarah Grupenhoff
Sylvie Nguyen
HEAD EDITOR
Violet Tivol
LAYOUT DESIGNERS
Ella Nguyen Ya-An Xue
VISUAL ARTS EDITOR
Sarah Xie
WRITERS
Donovan Carlson
Ellie Chang
Athena Gao
Sarah Grupenhoff
Evelyn Luong
Shrishti Sinha
Jaanvi Tadipatri
Ella Tal
Luna Wang
Kayla Xu Ya-An Xue
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Donovan Carlson
Owen Chang
Athena Gao
Nadita Jiju
Malika Oberoi
GRAPHIC ARTISTS
Ellie Chang
Sylvie Nguyen
Sarah Xie
This project has been supported by Think Fund. For more information about grants for teens, visit mitchellparkteenservices.org/ThinkFund.
Peninsula
Neurodevelopment standpoint on sketching during lectures Influence of murals, cartoons, music and more on voters
Colonial-era artifacts spark debate on rightful ownership and cultural preservation Is modern, high-paced culture pushing unrealistic standards? Students streamline productivity through new technological tools Flood risks exacerbate existing local socioeconomic disparities State housing crisis leads to dense, low-income communities in high wildfire risk
Analyzing historical buildings and residential pushback Gendered pricing perpetuates financial inequality
SENIOR MARGOT ZELKHA CAPTURES PASSIONS THROUGH A UNIQUE LENS
Emerging from a pitch-black room, senior Margot Zelkha excitedly flips through strips of black and white film in her hand, each having a frame with a small printed image. Every photo is unique — some featuring trees and others filled with smiling faces — but they all help Zelkha convey memories and stories.
Zelkha has always had an affinity for the arts. However, after quitting piano and taking a break from ballet during her sophomore year, she turned to Gunn’s Photography 1 class to fulfill graduation requirements and express her creativity.
“I was like, ‘I can’t draw at all, so I might as well try photography,’” she said. “My whole family is very musical and artistic, so I was looking for a (similar) outlet to fill that gap when I took a year off ballet.
Photography became more than just a required course for Zelkha. Turning into a passion, Zelkha experimented with film photography during the spring break of her sophomore year. The hands-on aspect of the craft and the film’s unique, slightly grainy texture of photos provided the perfect medium for the stories she wanted to portray.
main themes. For example, for AP Photography, she has been working on a project focused on trees and branches, using them as a metaphor for generational trauma.
“The project is about how trees hold a lot of trauma and memories because they’re older and wiser,” she said. “But, if I’m going into a forest and I see how the snow is melting on a leaf, I’m going to photograph that too. I like to have some direction in it, but I don’t limit myself.”
The student photographer also uses creative writing and poetry to help strengthen the voice of each piece.
“Usually the photo speaks for itself, but when there’s something that I want the viewer to think about — a concept that’s different from what’s literally in the picture, I’ll also have some writing.”
—Senior Margot Zelkha
Although she has been exploring film photography for over a year, Zelkha is still navigating its technical challenge: the process from taking photos to obtaining a physical, clear product. Film must be soaked in a chemical solution before being enlarged into polaroid-sized photos with a projector. Popular up to the 1990s, film cameras and the dark rooms necessary to develop photos are now inaccessible. A split-second action, such as turning on the lights or opening the back of the camera, could damage an entire roll of film.
“I develop and enlarge my photos at school in the darkroom, which we’re very lucky to have, but it’s hard because it’s a shared space,” she said. “There might be some less experienced kids touching things or sometimes I mess it up because I’m not paying attention. It’s not like with digital photos where you can usually retrieve them again or in Photoshop where if you make a mistake you can just command Z.”
Zelkha usually dedicates a whole day to just taking photos and visiting different locations to capture a couple of
“I’m really interested in accessibility for women’s bodies, so I like to write a little blurb about it when a related photo truly captivates the message,” she said. “Usually the photo speaks for itself, but when there’s something that I want the viewer to think about — a concept that’s different from what’s literally in the picture, I’ll also have some writing.”
During her second year of photography, students were assigned to submit their work to photography competitions.
Courtesy of Margot Zelkha
Zelkha found the Peninsula Photo Contest, a local contest hosted by “The Six Fifty,” “The Palo Alto Weekly” and the Palo Alto Art Center. In June 2024, her submission called “Untitled” was selected as a winning image and featured in the Palo Alto Art Center. The piece depicts pomegranate juice running down the legs of her sister, “Bernadette.”
Through photography, Zelkha has grappled with frustrating situations, in which she learned to embrace patience and appreciate the unpredictability of film.
“You can’t use your phone in the darkroom because it’s going to expose all the paper, so it’s just you and your thoughts,” she said. “It’s really calming and has taught me a lot of zen and (how) to accept the failures.”
Continuing her momentum, Zelkha is seizing photography’s creative control, expanding her portfolio, pursuing themes of her interest and finding ways to continue photography in higher education.
“I’m definitely applying to art schools, but I’m also applying to others that have a photo department,” she said. “Photography is definitely something that I want to continue. I definitely want to be in that world for a long time.”
—Written by Ya-An Xue, a layout designer.
HELIOS 5
MIND TO PENCIL AND PAPER: DOODLING ENHANCES MEMORY, ATTENTION SPAN
Doodling, often seen as a harmless distraction or mindless fidgeting, can actually serve as a powerful tool for enhancing focus, particularly for students with a visual or artistic learning style. While flipping through the pages of a typical math notebook, it’s not uncommon to find intricate doodles — eyes, flowers, and abstract shapes sketched across the margins. For many students, the act of drawing these images during class is subconscious, a way to keep their hands busy while their minds remain engaged with the lesson. Despite the negative connotations attached to this practice, the act of doodling can actually contribute to increased focus and retention during a lecture.
Contrary to popular belief, doodling does not necessarily indicate a lack of attention. For some, it is a form of fidgeting that allows them to stay engaged and attentive, especially during long or monotonous lessons. When students begin to feel their attention waning, their hands may instinctively reach for a pencil, starting to doodle on the page. The act of scribbling can help curb their boredom without distracting from the primary task at hand — listening to the lecture. It’s not simply mindless drawing; rather, doodling serves as a form of active engagement that helps the student process and make sense of the material being presented.
In fact, research has shown that doodling can activate the brain’s memory systems, making it easier to recall the information learned during class. For students who are more visually oriented, the act of doodling may help them process information in a way that complements their primary learning style. It’s as if their minds are connecting the dots between the abstract concepts being taught and the visual representations created through doodles. As a result, they can better retain the material and remain focused on the subject matter.
Senior Esme Zeineh incorporates doodling into her daily class routines: for her, doodling helps her maintain focus during long lessons. By drawing small images or shapes, she engages with her creative side while still processing the information being taught.
“(Doodling) helps my focus and relax, and it’s also just something that’s not distracting or destructive to do when I’m bored,” she said. “It can be helpful in understanding new content, but mostly
Some view it as a useful tool for students who benefit from it, while others consider it a distraction that undermines attention and focus.
“There were a few times when teachers told me not to do it, but it was mainly in middle school,” Zeineh said. “But once that happened, I ended up just drawing all over my hands so it didn’t really stop anything.”
When approached mindfully, doodling can be for visual learners. Teachers who are aware of the diverse learning styles in their classrooms may choose to allow or even encourage doodling as a means of engagement. For example, in Living Skills, students are encouraged to doodle as an outlet for relieving stress. According to Living Skills teacher Joshua Little, each month includes a daily practice that allows the class to explore coping activities such as coloring and doodling.
Senior Esme Zeineh draws portraits using colored pencils on a workbook during Living Skills.
“So you’re disconnecting from everyone — music, your tech, your teacher, your peers — and you’re just coloring for five minutes,” he said. “Doodling is going to be another one, where you can just doodle whatever and disconnect.”
Little also carries over this practice into his biology classes, where students decide for themselves whether doodling hinders or improves learning.
“If a student can listen to a conversation and doodle at the same time, I think that works, but if you’re trying to tune out a person, that might not be a good thing to do during class,” he said. “We have found that doodling related to the content is really important. It can improve memory and help with connecting content.”
Understanding the role of doodling in the classroom is essential for fostering an inclusive learning environment. By recognizing that students have different ways of processing and retaining information, teachers can create classrooms that cater to the needs of all learners. For some students, this might mean allowing time for doodles to help engage with a lecture, ensuring that each student can learn in the way that works best for them. By rethinking the negative connotations associated with doodling and embracing it as a tool for engagement, educators can create spaces where all students, regardless of their learning style, can thrive.
—Written by Kayla Xu, a writer and Ya-An Xue, a layout designer. Additional reporting by Sylvie Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief. Courtesy of Esme Zeineh
6 EVOLUTION AND IMPACT
Today, in a time of political and communal unrest, “political art” and all that it ensues is extremely prevalent among artists, activists and publishers. Of course, a lot of politically established propaganda has always been a facet in many historical societies, and we can categorize the connections between art and politics using a few
Art can express a material need for resistance and can be a great “manifestation” for injustice in a community. Art can be used as a peaceful way to make a change politically. And finally, there are numerous examples throughout history of art being used as a form of governmentally created propaganda.
INTERVIEW WITH HISTORY
TEACHER CHRIS JOHNSON WHAT DEFINES POLITICAL ART?
What subject do you teach?
I teach AP United States History as well (as) World History. This involves digging deep into not just the content of U.S. History, (but) also the concepts and themes behind it — who we are now and where we came from.
What are some stages of political art’s evolution?
As far as political art, (for) a defining time frame in which it emerged you would go back to the 16th or 17th century. It had really taken off after more widespread print media in the 18th century, after the enlightenment. U.S. history wise, (there’s) the American revolution, with cartoons going back to Benjamin Franklin and the Join or Die woodcut. Definitely during the world wars, you have to look at the rise of communism and the Soviet Union, fascists and Nazis in Italy and Germany — all groups who used art for “political use.” The homefront posters of World War I and World War II were everywhere, but especially in the U.S.
In this modern era, a lot of political art is going to be online, and some specifically Al generated. Could this influence people, especially young minds?
If art is generated by Al, what you have then is a mash of a bunch of ideas that have all come out at one time. It’s (unknown) whether Al generative political art is going to fit in that framework, because Al generated art is based on the information/ data it already has, (so) it may not carry the same message (as it would if) it came from an individual. A lot of local art has come from the viewpoint of an individual (who) has created it and might be a widespread message or it might be coming from a minority. Overall, I believe Al is not going to produce genuine political local art.
Malika Oberoi
James Ng
IMPACT OF POLITICAL ART
As it has been established before, art has the power to transform the world. When we look at the 2024 election — while there were obviously many, many other factors that brought about the election results, one can argue that political art and graffiti played a major role in advocating for significant ideas and issues.
As most of the art could be considered propaganda, it was available for the public to see and was able to influence the general opinion.
USING ART AS ADVOCACY KAMALA HARRIS’ COCONUT TREE
“You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.”
—Former Vice President Kamala Harris
—Written by Shrishti Sinha, a writer and graphic artist.
ARTS
CULTURAL PRESERVATION AND ETHICAL RECKONING
Do museums’ benefits outweigh the ethical cost of acquiring and displaying the art exhibited?
filling renowned museums more than notable to Without diverse arrays of the content needed to where travel to other people need to be educated global citizens and injustice.
of many artifacts can be connected to the colonialism and imperialism hundreds of cultures to whom the art originally belonged modernized along with the rest of the world no strong ties to these pieces. Compared to museum-goers can learn and discover from to its home nation falls short. Furthermore, the economy by attracting many tourists and reflected in data from the non-profit American reveals that museums support over 726,000 contribute $50 billion to the U.S. economy each
lives of many endangered species by helping breeding, habitat preservation, public education, supportive research. More data from the Museums shows that in 2022, museums with living aquariums spent over $252 million on field 119 countries.
museums bring communities together. An article
practice that should not be encouraged for generations. Centuries ago, imperial powers position of privilege, raiding possessions and countries whom they degraded out of racial looted artifacts in esteemed institutions simply injustices, sending the message that stealing certainly is not.
Withholding objects from their native people the cultural identity of those who are already discrimination. The nonprofit organization Center the imperialist thieves often removed the original then displayed it in museums with negative and marginalization, which “not only distorted object’s historical denotation but also compromised cultural traditions, robbing future generations
And while having access to a rich, diverse it is certainly not as enriching as being able
But what will these places be if people strip them barren?
Perhaps if colonialists applied the simple but to themselves too, then international relations Stolen artworks belong back to their rightful the initiative to return them.
—Written by Sarah Grupenhoff, Editor-in-Chief.
HELIOS
DOES THE PURSUIT OF ‘LIFE MAXING’ PUSH YOUTH TOWARD GROWTH OR BURNOUT?
According to The Life Maxing Show, the popular Gen Z trend of “life maxing” means to practice “the art of squeezing life for all it has to offer in order to live to your fullest potential.” However, in the chase for self-improvement, unrealistic standards and consequential psychological impacts may be pushed, making it essential to find a balance in your pursuits.
For many teens, life maxing has become synonymous with overloading their schedules to build an impressive college application at a young age. This often involves taking every available AP class, playing varsity sports, holding leadership roles, starting clubs or businesses and volunteering extensively.
While these pursuits may seem impressive, the sacrifice is significant: a loss of free time to relax and pursue personal passions. The very foundation of life maxing — “squeezing life for all it has to offer” — can harm physical and mental well-being. According to the Canadian Red Cross, chronic stress from chasing efficiency can lead to serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, and muscle pain.
Mentally, the consequences are equally severe: stress can trigger anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, and burnout. These struggles often result in unhealthy coping mechanisms such as over-reliance on caffeine or pain medication.
Teens experiencing these effects may wonder: are they truly living life to the max, or are they losing themselves in the process? Spending time on activities that promote personal growth — whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or socially — is essential to finding balance. True fulfillment comes not from checking every box but from prioritizing what genuinely brings joy and meaning.
To address this cultural shift, society must normalize unique and fulfilling paths for young people, rather than perpetuating onesize-fits-all definitions of success. By encouraging balance and individuality, we can help teens achieve their full potential — without sacrificing their well-being in the process.
Written by Ella Tal, a writer.
NOTION APP REVIEW: STUDENTS STREAMLINE LIVES
ecognized for creating anything from note-taking documents, yearly calendars, original websites, collaborative workplaces, daily planners and more, Notion has continued to gain popularity since its release. Over the past three years, the number of users has grown from 1,000,000 to 3,000,000, and the original creator team of four has expanded to around 500 employees.
Notion 2.45, released on September 25, 2024, contains upgrades allowing students to use AI to gather information from platforms such as Google Docs and Slack, get ideas for upcoming projects, ask for technical advice on how to operate Notion and reform and rebuild their writing.
Notion’s Declassified School Survival Guide released August 2023 contains useful tips, tools and resources to help students stay organized. The online attention garnered by this guide prompted Notion to release a new Student Pack in August 2024 equipped with new templates such as planners to organize assignments, extracurriculars and to-dos, job trackers to organize resumes and applications and habit trackers to organize daily workouts and practices.
Students can also create Public Pages by selecting a template to customize and publishing their website online — no coding experience needed. Notion’s collaborative workspaces display changes from groupmates appearing in real time. Students can stay organized as well by easily switching between different Notion calendars, creating countdowns to upcoming events and scheduling meeting invites to share with colleagues.
Notion has gained popularity primarily through social media which is how Freshman Owen Cheng first discovered it.
“I found Notion when I went down a productivity rabbit hole in YouTube,” Cheng said.
Sophomore Sarah Grupenhoff (who is also Editor-in-Chief of Helios Magazine) enjoys using Notion to create aesthetically pleasing planners.
“(It’s) a good way to organize my life,’” Grupenhoff said. “I really like how Notion is super customizable and it makes it so that I can tailor it to my life and my individual school experience … I feel like that’s what keeps me coming back because with other apps, they’re less customizable and I don’t enjoy them as much, visually and functionally.”
Overall, Notion promotes innovation by providing a simple yet customizable platform for Gunn students to collaborate, create and construct.
Written by Ellie Chang, a writer and graphic artist.
Sarah Xie
Ellie Chang
PALO ALTO: PUSH BACK AGAINST PRESERVATION
Palo Alto, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is home to diverse architectural styles that embody the city’s cultural history. As the city modernizes, however, many homeowners have sought to remodel their properties, inadvertently jeopardizing the historic buildings and their stories.
In response, the city has made efforts to preserve and protect these structures, ensuring the integrity of the community’s architectural heritage.
The journey to preserve historic buildings began in 1979 when Palo Alto adopted the Historic Preservation Ordinance. This ordinance set the framework for identifying and safeguarding properties of historical value. In the same year, the city conducted a Historical Resource Survey, which identified 165 properties with historical significance. Another survey
completed in 2023, found that 146 of those properties still met the historic designation criteria.
To protect these buildings, the city imposed limitations on demolitions, major alterations, and new construction in designated areas. Homeowners were notified of these reforms, but the response was mixed: 31% did not reply, 12% supported the initiative, and 57% opposed it.
Despite the push back, 13 private property owners agreed to have their homes listed, and three city-owned properties were added to the Historical Inventory.
The preservation efforts were met with resistance. Residents voiced concerns about the impact of historic listings on property values and future development. Some homeowners argued that properties were designated historic based on previous ownership, not the structure’s inherent historical value. Others questioned the qualifications used to determine a building’s significance. Additionally, many homeowners were upset that they were unaware of their properties being listed.
Following extensive public hearings and discussions, the city re-evaluated the initiative. As a result, the city canceled plans to designate homes as historic if owners opposed it. Nonetheless, the 13 private properties and three city-owned properties will remain on the Historical Inventory, ensuring that part of Palo Alto’s history is preserved for future generations.
—Written by Evelyn Luong, a writer.
WHY DO PINK RAZORS COST MORE? THE PINK TAX EXPLAINED
Have you ever wondered why pink razors cost $5 more than blue or black ones, despite being practically the same product? This is due to the “pink tax”— a form of genderbased pricing that targets women. While not an official tax, the pink tax significantly impacts women worldwide, especially those already facing financial challenges. Understanding this economic discrimination sheds light on modern-day gender inequalities.
A 2015 analysis by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs revealed that 43% of the time, women’s products cost 7% more than similar men’s products. The pink tax extends beyond consumer goods, infiltrating the service industry as well. In 2021, women in 22 U.S. states paid up to 7% more annually for car insurance. Even GEICO, a multi-billion-dollar insurance company, charged female drivers higher premiums 83% of the time, affecting thousands of women nationwide.
For students, who already grapple with the high costs of education, extracurriculars, and daily necessities, the pink tax adds an unnecessary burden. Women’s products — such as toiletries, personal care items, and clothing — are often priced higher than men’s, straining tight budgets. Female students may unknowingly pay more for essentials like razors or deodorant, with these small differences accumulating over time. This disproportionate cost especially affects students from low-income families, where every dollar counts.
The pink tax isn’t just about pricing — it’s about fairness and equality. Efforts like the Pink Tax Repeal Act, introduced
by California Congresswoman Jackie Speier in 2015, aim to eliminate this economic injustice. Although still pending, this legislation represents a crucial step toward ensuring women aren’t penalized for their gender.
Next time you shop, pay attention to the pricing of feminine products compared to their non-feminine counterparts. The stark cost difference highlights the pervasive nature of the pink
Sarah Xie
Sylvie Nguyen
BAY AREA FACES FLOODING CRISIS
Political inaction and inequality pose a threat to vulnerable Bay Area communities
In recent years, climate-driven flooding has become a harsh reality for many Bay Area residents. However, the issue often falls to the back burner in the face of more immediate concerns. Cities like San Mateo and Redwood City, despite being at high risk, need to adopt more comprehensive sea-level rise adaption plans. Even as scientific research reveals the urgency of the situation, local governments remain hesitant to allocate the necessary resources.
52 Bay Area public kindergarten through 12th-grade schools already face flood risks
Source: KQED and Climate Central
But with rising sea levels and the impending threat of flooding, time is running out for these communities to act.
A study conducted by the state of California in August 2024 predicts that Palo Alto, along with much of the Bay Area coastline, will experience significant flooding in the coming decades. By 2050, it estimates that sea levels could rise by up to 1.2 feet, with projections for a 6.6-foot rise by 2100. This acceleration is largely driven by climate change, putting vulnerable communities at risk.
Groundwater flooding, which is worsened by saltwater intrusion, already threatens schools in the region. According to a study by KQED and Climate Central, 52 school campuses, including Ohlone and Palo Verde in Palo Alto, are at risk. The projections also fail to account for the possible collapse of the Doomsday Glacier, a massive Antarctic ice sheet that, if it falls, could raise sea levels by an additional 3 feet by 2100. This would submerge the first floor of many homes, exacerbating an already dire situation.
While the broader Palo Alto community may dismiss these warnings, marginalized communities — especially people of color — are bearing the brunt of the damage.
A 2017 study by Marin County found that half of all commercial properties in the area are at risk from flooding. Marin City, with its lower-lying geography, is particularly vulnerable, and the damage caused by flooding will only intensify with rising sea levels. Residents attribute their disproportionate exposure to these risks to decades of systemic racism, which has confined Black families and other people of color to the most flood-prone areas.
Terrie Harris-Green, a resident of Marin City, has pushed local leaders to address these concerns, but says that their efforts have often been met with indifference.
“We’ve gone to our political leaders long enough, because they treat us as if we don’t exist,” she said. “We want to participate in planning and decisionmaking.”
Despite the challenges faced by communities like Marin City, Palo Alto and other neighboring cities have yet to develop a robust plan to address sealevel rise.
According to the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition, climate change is not a priority for many members of the Palo Alto City Council. The lack of a concrete strategy reveals a broader issue: even
when resources are available, local governments are failing to act. This inaction can be traced to psychological and political factors that prevent effective climate change solutions.
George Marshall, author of “Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change,”explains that addressing climate change requires framing the issue in terms that resonate with people’s immediate concerns, such as economic stability and human rights.
Marshall argues that, rather than focusing on individual responsibility and the guilt that often accompanies climate change discourse, solutions must be presented in a way that makes people feel empowered. For example, addressing the plight of vulnerable communities, such as those in Marin County, creates a more compelling narrative. By emphasizing the potential to protect these communities from displacement due to flooding, policymakers can inspire action without fostering feelings of helplessness or blame.
Marshall encourages activists to help others become heroes in their own stories, framing climate change as a collective challenge to be solved together rather than an individual burden to bear.
Tackling even a subset of the problem in sea level rise planning requires us to break down the issue into more manageable goals. This approach can help prevent people from feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis. Environmentalists must shift away from presenting climate change as an abstract, apocalyptic issue and instead focus on the tangible, immediate impacts it has on people’s lives. In Marin City, for instance, residents are not just fighting for their homes — they are fighting for their right to exist in a community that values their input and offers them a seat at the table.
Comparing environmentalism to a religion, Marshall describes climate change as “offering guilt and blame and fear but no recourse to salvation or forgiveness.” He encourages young activists to focus on making others the heroes of their own stories, a tactic which many seasoned scientists fail to recognize.
When environmentalists merely present issues in the light of individual responsibility, sea-level rise and every other climaterelated problem becomes political when they should be bipartisan: guilt-tripping when they should be an opportunity to atone for humanity’s collective climate footprint.
Following Marshall’s philosophy, a person can send a letter to a Marin City official. Written with a tone of openness, this letter
—Written
by Donovan Carlson, a writer.
SarahXie
STEM 12
THE PARK FIRE: CALIFORNIA’S ONGOING WILDFIRE CRISIS
Impact, causes, and challenges faced by communities in the aftermath of a devastating blaze
This year alone, nearly one million acres of land in California have been ravaged by nearly seven thousand wildfires — roughly 24 fires a day. That’s a far cry from what could be considered as safe, peaceful numbers. These numbers may seem like another tragic metric of how lands far from us are slowly deteriorating. But have you considered that what might be a simple data point to you, could be a life-changing event for countless lives?
In the summer of 2024, one fire in particular — the Park Fire — caused devastating consequences for thousands of residents, leaving behind a trail of destruction that serves as a grim reminder of the state’s ongoing wildfire crisis.
The Park Fire, which began on July 24, 2024, at 2:52 p.m. in Bidwell Municipal Park, quickly became one of the largest wildfires in California’s history. Spanning over 429,603 acres, the fire burned for two months, finally being contained on September 26. The damage was extensive, not just in terms of land but also to the community. The fire ravaged Butte County, an area already scarred by previous wildfires such as the 2018 Camp Fire, the 2020 North Complex Fire, and the 2021 Dixie Fire. With 38% of Butte County scorched in the past decade, and neighboring Tehama County experiencing similar devastation, the region has suffered far more than its fair share of fires. In fact, wildfires have claimed four to five times as much land in the past ten years
The immediate effects of the Park Fire were harrowing: 709 structures were completely destroyed, with 54 more suffering significant damage. The destruction affected around a third of the buildings in the area, including vital infrastructure such as power lines and several buildings belonging to Chico State University. However, the true impact of the fire goes beyond the physical destruction. Thousands of residents from Butte, Tehama and Shasta counties were forced to evacuate, with over 4,000 people displaced by the flames. Many of these individuals found themselves not only without homes but also without a clear path to rebuild their lives.
The origin of the fire was tragic yet simple — a man’s poor decision to push his burning car into a ravine filled with vegetation. While he bears responsibility for starting the blaze, the broader question arises: Why were people living in such fire-prone areas in the first place? After all, with three major wildfires in the span of just four years, you might expect that people would move away from these dangerous regions. However, the unfortunate reality is that many residents had no choice but to remain in these areas. California, known for its high cost of living, presents a difficult reality for those with limited financial resources. While living in rural areas like Chico might cost around $1,600 a month in rent — far cheaper than $3,500 in more urban areas like San Francisco or Los Angeles — this is still unaffordable for many workingclass individuals, especially those on minimum wage. For them,
relocating to safer, more upscale neighborhoods is simply not an option. These people are trapped by their economic circumstances, forced to live in areas that are prone to disaster, yet providing a relatively affordable place to call home.
Wildfires have claimed four to five times as much land in the past ten years compared to previous decades
Source: National Park Service
The economic vulnerability of these residents is further compounded by the lack of resources, such as fire insurance, to help mitigate the damage caused by fires. The burden of recovery falls heavily on those who can least afford it. For instance, the Park Fire alone is estimated to cost $310 million in reparations. Many victims of the fire had already suffered through the previous wildfires, compounding their losses and furthering the cycle of destruction.
When disaster strikes, many of these residents do not recieve enough support from the government. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, for example, has been slow to respond, and the small amounts of aid that do reach survivors are often insufficient to help them rebuild. In many cases, people are forced to rebuild their homes in the same fire-prone areas, despite the knowledge that these regions are vulnerable to future disasters. It’s a grim reality that highlights the failure of government policy to address the underlying causes of wildfire devastation.
The cycle of suffering must end. California’s history of devastating wildfires should have led to a comprehensive, long-term solution to protect its citizens. Instead, the government has failed to prioritize the safety and well-being of its residents, perpetuating an endless cycle of destruction, displacement, and inadequate recovery efforts.
A more sustainable approach is needed — one that addresses the root causes of wildfires, provides better resources for those affected, and offers long-term solutions to prevent future disasters. Without such change, the cycle of suffering will only continue, leaving countless families caught in a web of fire, loss, and government negligence.
—Written by Jaanvi Tadipatri, a writer.
Sarah Xie
HELIOS 13
STUDENT-LED STEM GROUPS BREAK RACIAL,
GENDER, INCOME
The lack of diversity in STEM is a critical issue, with a complicated cycle of stereotypes, biases, and historical inequality. Without diversity, our library of scientific knowledge is weakened. This is because different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences greatly enhance the diversity of creative thinking and problem-solving in STEM, directly impacting our understanding of science. Known to be discriminatory towards
National High School Journal of Science
One such organization is the National High School Journal of Science, a free, online, student-run, and peer-reviewed research journal directed toward high school students, to promote diversity through its inclusive submission process. NHSJS offers a reputable, free, and globally available platform for high school students to publish their STEM-based research. In STEM, publishing one’s research is a huge honor, as it can boost a researcher’s career, provide new opportunities, and contribute to the library of knowledge. However, publishing research can
Society of Women Engineers
BARRIERS
low-income families, women, and people of color, STEM organizations, and even classrooms contribute to this prejudice problem. Directly affected by these barriers, students have taken the issue into their own hands, creating their own organizations. These student-led organizations are beneficial to the STEM community in promoting diversity and inclusion.
be very expensive. Ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to over ten thousand dollars per article, publishing research can be a serious financial hardship for researchers, especially students and low-income households. Additionally, the process can be extremely selective and disinclined to many people of different countries, religions, and backgrounds. Being an exceptionally inclusive resource, NHSJS is free and accepts research all over the globe, providing a platform for all students trying to share their discoveries with the STEM community.
A successful student-led STEM organization is the Society of Women Engineers (SWE++), a non-profit organization with hundreds of student-centered associate clubs in high schools, colleges, and universities across the nation. They are empowering women engineers, providing opportunities, and improving diversity and inclusion in STEM. Women have had a long and painful history of discrimination in STEMrelated fields. According to “The Gender Gap in STEM: Still Gaping in 2023” by MIT, researchers reported, “In 2023, the gender gap in STEM remains significant, with women making up only 28% of the STEM workforce.” Acutely aware of this issue, SWE++ strives to increase diversity in STEM through a variety of programs, ranging from summer camps for middle school girls to online professional development courses. Inspiring young girls to lead the STEM community and bring their individuality and creativity, SWE++ offers a powerful resource for girls and women to learn and network with successful women engineers.
National Society of Black Engineers
Nandita Jiju
The National Society of Black Engineers, one of the largest student-led organizations in the nation, aims to inspire, help and increase the number of Black engineers in STEM. Founded in 1975, it has grown to become one of the largest student-managed organizations in the United States, serving over 30,000 members across more than 300 chapters globally. Totaling only 9% of the STEM workforce in 2021, Black Americans are one of the most underrepresented in the STEM field, and at an even lower rate, Black women make up around 3%. Partnering with companies, NSBE offers many scholarships for students pursuing degrees in engineering. Determined to break the racial barrier, NSBE provides valuable opportunities for Black engineers to thrive by providing opportunities for students to network and access career resources.
—Written by Athena Gao, a writer and graphic artist.