Sparking Innovation and Lifelong Exploration

Students in Sandia High's STEM Club tackle real-world problems, win awards and inspire the next generation of thinkers.

Sandia High School’s STEM Club, led by teachers Thomas Franich and Bradley Knockel, is more than just a space for students to engage in science, technology, engineering and math—it’s a launchpad for creativity, critical thinking and meaningful collaboration.

“The message that we want most to send is that schools should start their own STEM Clubs to explore anything and everything that catches their students' interest,” Franich emphasized. “Challenges are nice but not essential to the process of discovery and achievement that our STEM Club students feel.”

He continued, “Starting the club is a challenge, but scouting out several students will allow the club to grow and blossom. The relationships that we build with the students are very strong, and we help create lifelong learners and explorers who otherwise might not have the time or resources to explore their curiosities alone.”

Known affectionately as The Watermelons of Science, the STEM Club’s mission is to provide students with opportunities to address real-world problems through scientific and engineering principles. Students from all grade levels collaborate, explore new concepts and apply their unique strengths—whether in coding, mechanical design or technical communication—while growing in knowledge and confidence.

Each year, the club competes in the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge, a high-stakes competition that pushes students to innovate. This year’s challenge asked students to develop a transportation or information technology solution for their community. Sandia’s team responded with an ambitious project: a computer simulation of Albuquerque traffic patterns combined with a prototype for self-driving vehicles that could charge themselves using an aftermarket attachment.

Months of work went into this multifaceted project. Students coded complex simulations, designed and built physical models, and researched logistical hurdles. Along the way, they practiced the engineering design process, learning to evaluate and refine ideas through trial and error. Collaboration was key as team members took on rotating leadership roles and taught one another new skills, reinforcing both the club’s inclusivity and its academic rigor.

According to Franich, the students’ creativity was the biggest driver behind their success. “They have such clever ideas and are willing to share them openly,” he said. While not every idea made the final cut—“Sharks with lasers” was an early contender—the team used a decision matrix to narrow its focus and refine its approach. The team’s openness to feedback and iteration paid off, as the students continued Sandia’s tradition of winning at the Governor’s Challenge.

The impact of the STEM Club extends far beyond competitions. Some students were first-time participants; others were returning champions. All walked away with new skills, a deeper understanding of STEM concepts and a spark to keep exploring. Even alumni return to showcase their latest innovations, like a Rubik’s Cube-solving robot.

And the momentum doesn’t stop with one event. After the Governor’s Challenge, club members went on to compete in the New Mexico Artificial Intelligence Academy Invitational, working with a NASA engineer to develop an AI pilot for a race car. Their vehicle completed the course in just 18 seconds, earning them second place and valuable experience for the next big challenge.

Franich and Knockel hope that other schools will be inspired to launch STEM Clubs of their own. 

“You don’t need a major competition or a perfect plan,” Franich said. “Just a few curious students, a space to tinker and adults willing to support their exploration.”

At Sandia High, that approach has led to innovation, award-winning projects and, most importantly, a community of students who are excited to keep asking questions—and finding ways to answer them.