Real World Experience for Summer Camp Interns
Amazeum Program Educators Support Future Teachers
by Maddy Baumover
During the second semester of my sophomore year at the University of Missouri, I began to give some thought to where I would be working a summer job. I considered applying to be a barista at a local coffee shop or even babysitting--summer jobs I had done before but hadnt done much for me in terms of my schooling or future career. I did not think I would be spending my summer learning about bugs or the scientific process of art restoration. Through Tyson Foods and the United Way of Northwest Arkansas, I was able to join the Scott Family Amazeum for the summer as the Summer Camp Intern! This position has allowed me a one-of-a-kind opportunity to facilitate learning and simultaneously learn myself alongside six to eleven-year-olds.
As an Elementary Education major at the University of Missouri, I knew I wanted to spend this summer working with children in an effort to enhance my skills as an educator, but I hoped to accomplish this through an unconventional and exciting experience, rather than the typical summer nanny job. I could not have found a better opportunity to gain experience with classroom management and harness students creativity and desire for learning than through my position as a Summer Camp Intern here at the Scott Family Amazeum.
I knew I wanted to spend this summer working with children in an effort to enhance my skills as an educator, but I hoped to accomplish this through an unconventional and exciting experience, rather than the typical summer nanny job.
From working alongside the Amazeums Program Educators, I have observed how to ask the campers open-ended questions about the activities, such as why do you think _____ happens? or what can we do to fix ____?, supporting their exploration and learning. Ive also picked up on the importance of teamwork here at the Amazeum; campers are encouraged to find a coach, meaning find a friend to help them through how to do something they find challenging. I already plan to implement both of these techniques in my future classroom, as Ive seen how successful they are in the Amazeums summer camps. As a future teacher, my main goal is to one day be able to facilitate learning in a special, exciting, and effective way. I feel that my experience thus far at the Scott Family Amazeum is pushing me towards that goal, and I am looking forward to what the rest of the summer entails. I am very grateful for the experience that @Tyson and @UnitedWayofNorthwestArkansas provided me and thank them for the opportunity to participate!