Managing a STEM day camp presented a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills while exploring innovative approaches to science education. My responsibilities encompassed program oversight—including enrollment management, staff coordination, and daily operations—as well as curriculum development and instructional design for a growing organization preparing to expand to a second location.

The operational experience proved invaluable. I gained proficiency in essential administrative functions such as child check-in and check-out protocols, parent communication, staff supervision, and schedule optimization. Working alongside younger educators allowed me to leverage classroom experience while building collaborative relationships across the team.

Beyond logistics, the camp became a laboratory for hands-on STEM instruction. I developed entry-level programming and coding projects using platforms including Microsoft MakeCode for Micro:bit, LEGO Spike, and Stop Motion Studio. By consulting maker space resources and instructional videos, I designed and prototyped STEM models tailored to participants’ developmental levels and interests—a practice that directly translates to differentiated classroom instruction.

Perhaps most significantly, this experience illuminated the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in educational settings. Using tools such as Gemini and Google Notebook, I developed, refined, and customized lesson plans, coach scripts, visual slide decks, and video introductions to guide students through complex processes. This practical application of AI for lesson modification and differentiation addressed a critical gap: while district resources and professional development in this area remain limited, hands-on experience demonstrated how AI can meaningfully extend teacher capacity and personalize learning at scale.

The insights gained extend well beyond camp operations. This work has opened concrete pathways for integrating more robust STEM instruction and project-based learning into classroom practice—with AI as a strategic partner in making differentiated, engaging science education accessible to all students.