I am Max Sommer from Valencia, California. When I first arrived at the University of Florida, I did not know what I wanted to do when I was older. I started off as an accounting major because I knew it led to a steady job and I figured I would see if I liked it. Right away I noticed it was too dry for me; I realized I wanted to do something in which I interacted with people and helped them. That is when I decided I want to become a high school teacher and a basketball coach when I am older. Now I am studying geography with a UFTeach minor, and I am enjoying school a lot and excited for my professional career.
This summer I participated in the Noyce Internship Program in which I took a class at UF and worked at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Here I gained invaluable experience in the field of Informal Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology (STEM) Education (ISE). At the Museum, I worked in the Public Programs department with Education. I helped teach science summer camps for grades K-6 and worked on a project of my own in which I developed an after-school program about the Megalodon exhibit. I realized that a museum is an extremely interesting place to work, and it is something I would love to do again sometime in the future. At every turn, there is something exciting to learn or experience. I had some great experiences this summer, like exploring Payne’s Prairie, visiting a planetarium for the first time, holding a live baby alligator, and more.
Prior to this summer, I had never heard of ISE or known of its benefits. Learning about ISE will definitely have a huge effect on my professional career. I learned how to prepare fun activities using the exhibits and other Museum resources for kids, and then figured out the best way to execute these activities. I will take this experience with me for a long time, which will enhance my career as a teacher. Because of the student engagement that comes with ISE, I now know that it can be used as an effective tool in sparking interest in students and allowing them to explore and build a passion for STEM subjects. The free-choice aspect of ISE encourages excitement, which leads to better student engagement and more learning. Informal STEM Education can be such a powerful tool that I will not only encourage my students to take part in it, but I will also encourage my own children and other family members and loved ones to do so. I would have never known the importance and benefits of ISE had I not had this experience with the Noyce Internship Program at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
