2021-2022 Spark Intern Projects
Emily Zhang
Grade: 11
School: State College Area High School
This is my very first year as a Spark Intern! As a child, I initially became interested in the sciences because of my experience with Discovery Space, which made me a strong believer in introducing STEM education to children at a young age. This was also a significant influence in joining the Spark Internship.
Currently, I work on the exhibits team, where we repair and improve exhibits in the science center. As of now, we are redesigning the magnet car exhibit, making signage for a new RFID exhibit, and creating a maglev car exhibit. So far, I have learned how to communicate and collaborate with team members and how to use some fancy machines as well!
Kate Doucette
Grade: 11
School: State College Area High School
I joined the Spark so that I could share my love for science with younger kids in the area by creating enriching exhibits and activities. Currently, I am working with a few other interns to create a levitating train track exhibit that utilizes repelling magnets as stabilization.
Throughout my experience at Discovery Space, I have learned countless lessons that I could not have found anywhere else. I have been able to take on the role of an engineer for my project and use trial and error to figure out how I can make my exhibit suit the museum’s needs. Not to mention that I have learned how to use power tools and online design websites while working on this project. Becoming a Spark Intern has allowed me to explore my interest in science in ways that I could have never done anywhere else. Even after a short time on this team, I will benefit from the experience for the rest of my life.
Sarah Huang
Grade: 11
School: State College Area High School
This is my first year as a Spark intern and on the exhibits team. I have been enjoying my time here the past year. I heard about being a Spark intern both through my school and by volunteering at The Rivet at Discovery Space.
Guiding children along the path of STEM, especially young girls, was really fulfilling to me. I always enjoy hands-on work, which is why I joined Spark. Throughout this year, I have been working on several exhibits including remaking a maglev train exhibit and creating signage for a laser identification exhibit. I have learned a variety of skills, including operating several pieces of woodworking machinery and Photoshop.
Jane Bolton
Grade: 12
School: State College Area High School
This year, as a Spark Intern, I have led several day camps and worked with Melica to develop and pitch the botany exhibit for Discovery Space’s GLOW camp.
It’s really a fulfilling experience to set a project at the beginning of the year and complete it by the end. You get to see the actual product of what you’re doing and see how it’s working and getting kids interested. It is really rewarding.
Botany Exhibit
For their projects this year, Kemanian-Leites and Bolton developed and pitched a botany exhibit as part of their “Dream Big” proposal to the organization’s development committee. The project includes creating planter boxes that would be used to teach kids of all ages about native plants. The exhibit will be built during Discovery Space’s Girls Leadership Opportunity Week (GLOW) camp, running later this summer. The planter boxes will be displayed on the science center’s exhibit floor.
Melica Kemanian-Leites
Grade: 12
School: State College Area High School
My projects this year included translating Discovery Space materials into Spanish and developing a botany exhibit with Jane.
Spark has been a unique experience. You really get to learn alongside your peers and focus on what you are trying to get out of the experience. It has helped me learn how to communicate to a wide variety of audiences and how to present myself in different professional settings.
Ally Duncan
Grade: 9
School: State College Area High School
I joined Spark because of the opportunities it would give me to work with kids and to explore more about STEM fields. This semester, my Spark projects have been setting up kits for the day camps that happen at Discovery Space and helping out with some of the camps. Through Spark, I have learned more about planning and preparations as well as just how much goes on behind the scenes of day camps. I have also learned more about different fields in STEM and have gotten hands-on experience in a day camp which taught me both patience and how to explain things better.
Carly Erickson
Grade: 10
School: State College Area High School
I joined Spark because I have always had a passion for STEM, and I wanted to explore different aspects of it. I feel that everyone should have the opportunity to get excited about STEM, and this was a perfect way for me to help in that mission.
This semester I have helped with preparation for different programs, camps, and STEMPOWERED, a program for 5th and 6th-grade girls to explore STEM careers.
Kylie Edmondson
Grade: 10
School: Bellefonte Area High School
I joined Spark because I love science, especially biology and chemistry, and I wanted to earn community service while doing something that I enjoy!
This year, I’ve been participating in the STEMPOWERED camp since February, and we do many different science-themed camps for 5th and 6th-grade girls, such as food science and plant pathology. I have learned a lot about different fields of science from STEMPOWERED. I also have gained valuable experience with leading activities!
