This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in an externship with the STEM Action Center. As a post-secondary educator with nearly two decades of experience, this experience offered a unique and refreshing perspective, allowing me to engage with a younger audience and help ignite their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It was a chance to step outside my usual teaching environment and contribute to shaping the future of STEM.

One of my primary responsibilities was contributing to the Cybercore Camp, where I had the privilege of lecturing and assisting secondary students with the intricate technical details of cybersecurity, Windows, and Linux. It was particularly rewarding to witness their interest pique as we delved into the fundamentals of computing, networking, and cybersecurity. A significant part of this camp involved preparing students for two weekly competitions that rigorously tested their newly acquired knowledge and skills, pushing them to apply what they learned in practical scenarios.

My externship also included the STEM Scholars Camp, where we guided students through basic engineering principles. Their main task was to design and construct model parks, incorporating various basic machines like levers, pulleys, and inclined planes. I was especially impressed by their creativity, with one team innovatively building a cardboard robot with LED eyes to represent their electric machine! In the Arduino Camp, high school students tackle programming challenges, using a clever setup involving a metallic sensor, a wet/dry sensor, and a stepping motor to program Arduinos to differentiate and sort various waste materials effectively.

While I’ve spent nearly twenty years teaching at the postsecondary level, this externship provided an invaluable opportunity to work with younger students and tailor my approach to their learning styles. Observing and collaborating with other educators with the STEM Action Center exposed me to different teaching styles and methods that I am excited to incorporate into my own classes. This experience has broadened my pedagogical toolkit, offering fresh ways to explain complex topics and foster engagement.

My externship with the STEM Action Center was not just an enriching personal and professional experience; it is a powerful reminder of the importance of early STEM exposure. Across all the camps, a primary accomplishment was seeing the significant growth in the students’ understanding and, more importantly, encouraging many of them to consider pursuing STEM careers. I wholeheartedly encourage my fellow educators to explore similar externship opportunities. It’s an incredible way to reach a broader audience and build crucial interest in STEM fields, making a tangible impact on the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

Grade Level and Subject Taught: 1st – 12th, STEM Scholars and Cyber Camps