An overview of my experience at Smithsonian Summer Camp since 2015.
This upcoming summer will be the fifth summer I will spend teaching at the Smithsonian Associates' Smithsonian Summer Camp. I have taught a total of 27 different weeks of camp over the past four summer. Smithsonian Summer Camp is centered around the believe that museums are important resources integral to the pursuit of life-long learning. We work to make connections between subjects the campers are interested in and content around the museums in DC and the surrounding area.
Each week, I work with a co-teacher to develop a curriculum that connects one central theme to multiple Smithsonian museums, collections, research, and ideas. Themes I have worked on include "Around the World" for Kindergartners, "Tracing Teen History" for 7th-9th graders, and both "The Artistic Side of Math" and "Our Amazing Brain!" for 4th-6th graders. I plan each week-long curriculum to include activities that address all aspects of STEAM, challenging and engaging campers in complex and creative ways. We take at least four field trips to museums each week and create visual, literary, and performing art products. Each week culminates in a “Show and Share” exhibition, which the campers’ parents or guardians attend.
Keep an eye out for upcoming posts that highlight different weeks of camps I have co-taught!