The externship opportunity I was tasked with was working for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for their summer STEM Scholars Camp. I worked with ages K-8, each week being a different age group, for example, Week 6 was grades 6,7,8 and week 7 was grades K, 1, 2. I used a provided curriculum, and the students learned about simple machines, circuits, water, recreation, and shelters. They were required to use recycled materials to build Future City Parks, and then had to present them to parents on Wednesdays. We then took a field trip on Thursdays to see examples of all of these at Funland in Tauphaus Park. I oversaw their projects, taught them about each thing, how to present, and was in charge of a group every week that ranged from 10-16 students in my own classroom. During this time I used the opportunity to help students grow interest in the engineering field, and identify there are all types of engineers and how the engineering process develops and works. We used the opportunities of building to develop tenacity and grit, and worked on social and people skills when presenting to the parents and other people. I have always taught 3rd grade or below and this gave me the chance to work with 4,5,6,7, and 8th graders. It was fun to see the connections I could make with them, and their ideas and views of the world around them. I am excited to implement some of this work into my own classroom and am setting up STEM Day/Night that the INL will come into my school to give all the students a chance to participate in fun, engaged learning.

Grade Level and Subject Taught: K-8 S.T.E.M.