This summer, students in the College of Education participated in a mix of fun and engaging activities while soaking up the sun. These summer experiences provided students with the opportunity to travel, further their careers and try new things, but most importantly, to make an impact on others. Here’s how EdTerps spent the summer.
“Working as a circus instructor [at a camp for students ages 6 to 16 in Pennsylvania] was a meaningful experience because it gave me the opportunity to teach kids a new way of expressing themselves. I helped students push themselves far beyond what they thought their bodies were capable of and built them up to give them the confidence to be vulnerable on stage. As circus performers, we are storytellers who manipulate an apparatus that serves as an extension of our bodies and the canvas we move through.”
–Bryant Rivera Cortez, junior, middle school math and science education major, disability studies minor and member of UMD’s Gymkana troupe
“I spent 10 days in Los Angeles participating in the United States Golf Association Pathways Internship Program. Through this internship, I learned about the different pathways through and around golf. It was an eye-opener to see what it took to run a tournament as big as the U.S. Open. It was such an amazing experience and such a great opportunity that I was granted.”
–Varada Devi Maulkhan, junior, secondary education and history double major (front row, center)
“I led a training program on classroom management, engagement strategies, biases and other teaching-related topics for computer science and information science majors at UMD’s CompSciConnect summer camp. I love how CompSciConnect is a space for both undergraduate instructors and K-12 students to learn the inclusive and equitable side of computer science. They get to be a part of a community that embraces and amplifies student experiences and makes computer science engaging, even through the complicated math-heavy topics.”
–Kristina Kramarczuk, Ph.D. candidate in teaching and learning, policy and leadership, with a specialization in mathematics and science education
“I could not be more grateful for the opportunity that I had to work with the Memphis Teacher Residency this summer. Throughout my four weeks in Memphis, I was able to teach math and science topics to 7th and 8th grade students from under-resourced communities. I grew as an educator by learning more about education and teaching practices than I ever could have imagined. Nothing made me happier than to see these kids’ faces light up when they solved a challenging math problem or made a new science discovery.”
–Tamanna Kindra, junior, general biology and secondary science education double major
“This summer, I traveled to South Bend, Indiana, for 10 weeks to participate in the University of Notre Dame’s Summer Research Opportunities Program. This opportunity gives undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds experience conducting independent research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. As a human development and psychology double major, I was excited to get involved in research that involved both of my majors. I worked with Professor Kristin Valentino and explored how familism and family values impact youth mental health in Mexican-descent families. I presented my research through a three-minute thesis along with a poster presentation at the final symposium.”
–Kayla Kellner, junior, human development and psychology double major
