2020-2021 Spark Intern Projects
Jane Bolton
Grade: 11
School: State College Area High School
As a Spark Intern, my project is to develop a Drop-In Event for children. It consists of three activities: i) a clay model of the Earth, ii) a map of Pangea and modern Earth, and iii) a clay model of a continent and its habitat(s). I hope that these activities can introduce children to Earth Systems science through a series of engaging, hands-on activities. My project taught me the challenges of introducing a complex scientific subject to children.
Claire Jin
Grade: 12
School: State College Area High School
I chose my project, which is a machine learning workshop, because a similar experience exposed me to artificial intelligence, inspiring me to choose that as my career path. I’ve learned a lot about planning an event as well as breaking things that make sense to me into steps that are easy to follow along with. I hope I demystify machine learning for middle to high schoolers and help some of them discover that machine learning is something they want to pursue further.
Melica Kemanian-Leites
Grade: 11
School: State College Area High School
I took an interest in the Marine Life Tank this year because I love animals and have been excited for the tank to open since I knew it was in the works. The start of my work translating came along as more videos of the exhibit were made, I was excited to be able to increase access to the great resources Discovery Space offers.
I also became an assistant for the STEMPOWERED program this spring and learned a lot about not just teaching and engaging with the girls, but also how resilient we can be in times when so much has changed.
Morgan Pandolfi
Grade: 12
School: State College Area High School
I chose my project, about the weather and water cycle, because I thought the topic would lend itself well to experiments that help the children understand weather concepts. I hope to provide a way for children/families to learn that is widely accessible, and that helps them to better understand a factor that affects everyday life.
Gabi Quiñones
School: State College Area High School
Last year, a previous Spark Intern Allaina was assisting in the program with Anna. When we were sharing details about our projects and she described what kind of things they were doing, I was immediately interested in the program. My friend and I had actually attempted to start a similar program in the SCASD middle schools my sophomore year, but then couldn’t because of lack of funding and adult availability. So, when I heard about STEMPOWERED’s mission and its focus on females in STEM, I was so happy to know that the idea my friend and I had but couldn’t carry out was in fact happening at the very place I had an internship.
