I am a second-year master's student in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. I have been working with the Cooper Center to develop experiential science curricula for 5th graders. The Cooper Center is known for its hands-on research-based programs in science and earth education. It is more important than ever before to engage the next generation in STEM. The young inquiring minds of today will become the problem solvers of tomorrow, and there are a lot of problems to solve. By locally contextualizing issues including climate change, water scarcity, and species endangerment, we can spark curiosity and help it bloom into a passion for STEM. Whether it's through NASA's world-scale missions or field sessions in the Sonoran Desert, we strive to open up learning opportunities for our youth.

This project lies at the intersection of my passion for nature, and my desire to leave the world a better place than I found it. My experiences in the Peace Corps (Ghana 2011-2014) and at the EPA have only reinforced these motivations. I hope to continue advancing these values during my graduate studies as well.