This summer I had the chance to work with middle school students at the University of Idaho Coding Camp in Boise, where I taught them how to program using Scratch and helped them dive into coding with the mBot robot. One of the highlights was being able to bring my daughter along as my “assistant.” Watching her sit alongside the other students, learning, experimenting, and sharing in the excitement made the experience even more meaningful. Together, we saw students light up with pride when their robot moved or their Scratch game finally worked—it was a reminder of how powerful hands-on learning can be.

In addition to the camp, I also helped design activities for the College of Engineering’s Adventure Club, an afterschool program that introduces elementary students to engineering in a fun and interactive way. I worked on lessons like binary communication games, human circuit roleplays, and simple builds such as popsicle stick flashlights and buzzers. These activities were designed to make big ideas like coding, circuits, and semiconductors approachable for kids. Contributing both in the classroom and behind the scenes gave me the chance to inspire students directly while also creating resources that future ambassadors will continue to use.

Grade Level and Subject Taught: Secondary