Plants and Animals may not be up everyone’s ally, but for members of the Marine And Botanical Society, it’s a match made in heaven. Catering to all things green and earthy, this club is looking to better our environment and create a safe space for someone who is just looking for some time to relax.
The Marine and Botanical Society was founded by two students and a teacher who shared a niche bond for plants and animals and wanted to express it to others. Mr. Shane Misuro, a scientist who turned to teaching, became the club advisor. Misuro has always enjoyed botany no matter what kind of plants they were, as long as he was able to take care of them. As for animals, growing up around fish tanks is what sparked his interest. Misuro discussed how the two students who were interested in starting the club were not the best in terms of grades and academics, but took a deep interest in what it was like to care for plants and animals.
“They weren’t the best students in the world, but they liked my class and they like me,” Misuro said. “At first, they didn’t know what the club was going to truly become. It started as a traditional club where students could come together and plant, but over time it turned into something new.”
As of 2023, the club flourished. Unlike a club that meets every month, the Marine and Botanical has one big meeting at the start of the new school year. Throughout the year the club meets in small groups and pitches ideas to each other. These range from fish to snakes to axolotls; the ideas are never-ending. No idea is ever shut down and the possibilities for different types of plants and animals at North Penn are endless. No experience is necessary to join the club however, it must be taken into consideration that dedication is key. Time management is also important when projects are done because they can span from two months to your high school career.
There are a variety of animals that the club has taken care of such as axolotls, geckos, snakes, tropical fish like clown fish, sea stars, and even horseshoe crabs. Some of the plants that have been cared for are house plants, outdoor plants, carnivorous plants, tomatoes, citrus trees, lemons, limes, orchids, potatoes, lilies, succulents, and cacti.
The most important part about the club is that there is no hand-holding. Each project is very independent and hands-on. This can vary from building and painting a fish tank, feeding an iguana or a snake and taking care of it as a pet, over even growing fruits and vegetables. It offers something different for students to do right after a long school day.
“The feedback that I get from students most often from all levels of the club is that after going through high school they like doing something where they get to work with their hands,” Misuro explained.
A sense of community can be found in this club as well. Many students joined because it’s comforting to find a sense of belonging and community around people who enjoy the same things as you. It’s also a safe space for many students within the building. North Penn senior and club president, Anna Weatherwax, shared that the Marine and Botanical Society is a major stress reliever for her and that it’s nice to have a “lone moment” sometimes.
Marine in Botanical is truly a club for everyone who wants to work on self-assessed projects without the stress of a grade or the burden of schoolwork.
“Everyone is welcome and the sense of community is strong in this club,” Weatherwax stated.