OFFERS High School Internship Program

True to the spirit of equity-minded program design, UC San Diego CREATE leveled-up their own Level Up SD Summer Program this year by adding a High School Internship Program to their STEM Outreach Program Catalog for Summer 2022.

After an incredible inaugural summer 2021, the San Diego Foundation brought back Level Up SD Summer 2022, a reimagined learning experience with extraordinary academic and enrichment programming for San Diego Unified students. After hearing organizations express difficulty in finding employees for the various summer programs designed to support some of San Diego’s most vulnerable communities, CREATE listened and led to support a STEM outreach pipeline for high school student interns and prepare them with the necessary workforce skills to make them suitable candidates. Afterall, what better way to respond to this local need than by training youth from the same communities we strive to serve in the City of San Diego?

With leadership and oversight from the Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment and Teaching Excellence (CREATE), a 20+ year old center at UC San Diego committed to providing equitable educational opportunities for all, a diverse group of students representing several schools throughout San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) were interviewed and invited to participate. The selected 14 students ranging from 9-12 grades, represented a variety of backgrounds, communities and areas of interest. These individuals were invited to participate in a paid 8-week High School Internship Program in Southeastern San Diego where they were exposed to various skill sets, leadership and growth. Under the direction of Dr. Beto Vasquez, the CREATE outreach team strategically provided training and placed interns with fellow equitable and inclusive summer programs – to increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence working with younger students and preparing themselves for future STEM internships and workforce opportunities.

Developing the Next Generation of STEM Outreach Professionals

In addition to paid stipends, each high school intern received professional learning and personal development experience. With support from Uyen Tran, the City Heights Library served as a venue for a week-long training provided by Science Delivered and the Nosotros Alumni Association. Dr. Olivia Mullins from Science Delivered provided a focus on STEM subject matter, teaching and communication, while Nosotros highlighted the importance of leadership, cultural competence and equity. Together, these two organizations cultivated a dynamic learning environment that centered on building community among the OFFERS Summer Camp Program staff and the high school interns. Collectively, this intergenerational group of staff and interns received intentional training in team-building, pedagogy, classroom management, and teaching science content to younger learners in an effort to better prepare them for the six week Opportunities for Future Researchers, Engineers, & Scientists (OFFERS) Program. Overall, interns were trained in the spirit of the OFFERS camp; which was to treat the children like if that was the only place they would be nurtured that day.

In addition to their training and to further prepare students for the STEM pipeline, interns were provided mentorship and guidance (led by Intern PD Coordinator, Natasha Acosta) to assist them with developing personal statements, financial literacy, interview skills, and personal etiquette (led by Dree Berry) in professional spaces.

*“What I learned from the training that helped me a lot was being confident so [the campers] know that I was leading.”* -Christian, San Diego High School

After a few weeks of training, these young people began taking ownership of the science lessons they had learned in training, and leaned into delivering lessons themselves – even without formal science backgrounds! As planned, they were able and ready to apply their new knowledge and skills with hands-on field experience placements. Of the fourteen students that were admitted into the program (which was originally designed for ten!), ten high school interns were placed at OFFERS STEM Camp: Opportunities for Future Engineers, Researchers, and Scientists at Logan Memorial Education Campus (LMEC); three were placed at La Maestra’s Center for Youth Advancement in City Heights; and one was placed at the Fleet Science Center’s summer camp in Clairemont, to support their Summer Camp programs.

*“I was quite nervous at first, but after starting it (the lesson) it wasn’t as scary presenting in front of the students.”* -Maryam, Hoover High School

“Speaking loudly, and simply, was really useful in communicating the content in a way that children would understand. Also, using your body and hands also helps with engagement and explaining concepts.” -Fayyad, Mt. Everest Academy

In fact, there was such a need to support high school interns this summer, CREATE was able to secure funding for two additional students from districts outside of SDUSD – thanks to the benevolent generosity of the Jim and Maya Rohr Fund and DoDSTEM.

“I LOVE the fact that [high school] student interns that look like our kids (participants) are being provided with this teaching opportunity during the summer and are being positive role models”

–OFFERS Parent

As leaders in educational innovation and equity, each of CREATE’s high school students received a paid stipend of $3,500 for active participation in their summer internship program in addition to access to priceless new experiences. Needless to say, these folks were so impressive that we have even invited a few of them to work with us through the academic year.

Reflecting Today for a Better Tomorrow

To maximize program impact, the high school interns completed daily reflections on their experiences through training, working with students, and working with adults at their field experience placements. This helps the individual students develop resilience, be aware of the value of self-inventory, step-wise goals, and pride in their unique strengths. Additionally, the student reflections support improved program design for the future. Here are a few of their reflections that stood out:

“I got first hand experience working with young children for the first time. I learned that you have to be firm and strict with kids, but it is still important to stay empathetic and patient at all times.” -Isabella, Kearny High School

“I bonded with a few of the kids and shared laughs as we did the sound wave activity. By the end of the day, I felt pretty tired, but I’m glad that I did my best to reciprocate the energy so the students have an enjoyable time.” -Naya, Morse High School

“I found it important to have not only confidence in teaching but also knowledge and teamwork. It was important to also know that I have just as much to learn from the children just as much as they learn from me.” -Paul, Morse High School

*“One thing I learned on the job is that I realize that we need to be extra mindful of what we say when communicating with other staff or interns because kids grasp everything.*”
**-Vanessa, Chula Vista High School**

**“Getting to know that not every kid is not the same, they are all different in each way.” -Luna, Hoover High School**

True to CREATE’s equity-centeredness, partners were brought in very intentionally to support their High School Internship Program. The following partners have been involved in the Program planning and implementation: CREATE, STEAM Collaborative, Nosotros Alumni, and Science Delivered. The following partners helped provide programming: Mundo Gardens, Urban Growth, Nosotros Alumni, Robo Think, Children’s Discovery Center, EcoVivarium, Challenge Island, Dr. Minces, and Sew Loka.

“All thanks to the help from Dr. Beto, I also appreciate the support and help from the staff (interns & teachers) for encouraging me and helping me out.” Fayaad, High School Intern

With gratitude, this program could not have been possible without the generous funding by The San Diego Foundation, San Diego Unified’s Level Up Program, the Jim and Maya Rohr Endowment Fund, and DoDSTEM. CREATE would also like to extend a thank you to the students, partners, community members, organizations, and staff that made this internship program possible and such a success. But don’t take our word for it, check out what the interns had to say about their experience in their blog titled, The Impact of High School STEM Educator Internships: the Intern Perspective!