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This summer, I returned to the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York, for a second season as an Education Intern, taking on greater responsibility within the Museum's educational programming. I developed and presented interactive programs focused on the ecology of the St. Lawrence River, including hands-on discovery carts exploring macroinvertebrates and salinity levels, and created new program content to expand the Museum's educational offerings. Presenting to hundreds of visitors of all ages strengthened my ability to conduct research, translate scientific concepts into accessible language, and adapt my communication to any audience.
A highlight of my summer was once again designing and leading the week-long St. Lawrence Science Summer Camp, where children learned about the River's environmental significance through hands-on activities and field exploration. In my second year, I also helped train and mentor newer interns and volunteers, which pushed me to think not just about delivering programs but about how effective education is built and passed on. During my free time, I worked in the Museum's state-of-the-art boat shop, shadowing the Museum's master boatwright and learning the craft of restoring and maintaining antique boats — a hands-on connection to the maritime heritage at the heart of the Museum's mission.
Beyond the specific skills I developed, this experience deepened my understanding of how community education can build public investment in a natural resource. As a sociology major planning to pursue environmental law, I saw firsthand how institutions like the Museum shape the relationship between people and the River.