This summer, I had the opportunity to lead the STEM program for the Boys & Girls Club’s summer program. My goal was to create hands-on science activities that got students excited to explore, ask questions, and discover how fun STEM can be. Throughout the summer, I designed, taught, and refined a wide variety of lessons and experiments, giving me the chance to see firsthand what really sparks curiosity and keeps students engaged.

One of the biggest things I gained from this experience was the opportunity to try new ideas in a real classroom setting before bringing them back to my own students. It challenged me to become a more thoughtful lesson planner, to think creatively, and to build activities that encourage students to explore and figure things out for themselves. I am excited to bring these new experiments, teaching strategies, and hands-on learning experiences into my own classroom this year.

More than anything, this experience reminded me why I love teaching science. Watching students become excited about discovering something new reinforced how powerful hands-on learning can be.

I am incredibly thankful to the externship program and to everyone at the Boys & Girls Club for making this experience possible. From day one, I felt welcomed, supported, and encouraged to explore new ideas. Their kindness, hospitality, and willingness to let me experiment with different activities made this an invaluable learning experience. I am leaving with new skills, new inspiration, and a fresh excitement for the upcoming school year.