A Summer of STEM, Creativity, and Community

This summer has been one of the most energizing and inspiring seasons of my career. I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Idaho Stem Action Center Externship through a partnership with Boise State University’s ONRAMP. As a library educator who values equity, creativity, and community connected learning, this experience opened new doors for bringing meaningful stem opportunities to students across Boise. Through ONRAMP, I connected with educators, innovators, and industry leaders who are all working to make stem more inclusive and accessible. We explored real world problem solving and how partnerships with local businesses can give students authentic, hands-on learning experiences. It gave me a fresh perspective on how to bridge classroom learning with the wider community especially through technology and design thinking. One of the most powerful parts of my summer was diving deeper into Apple’s Learning Coach program. As I continue learning through Everyone Can Create and Everyone Can Code, I’m building new ways to support educators in bringing more creativity, student voice, and digital fluency into their classrooms. I brought many of these ideas to life during Boise School District Summer School, where students used iPads to create digital portfolios and explore nature through augmented reality bringing their ideas to life. I also stayed connected to kids and families through Boise Parks and Recreation camps, where we blended outdoor play with creative tech tools. These experiences reminded me how powerful learning can be when it values movement, imagination, and collaboration. This externship was more than professional development. It transformed how I see my role as a library educator, coach, and creative guide. I’m heading into the new school year with a full heart, fresh energy, and a toolkit ready to help every student feel seen, heard, and inspired to do amazing things. Learning is everywhere and so is inspiration.

Grade Level and Subject Taught: K-6 Creative projects and Augmented Reality