FEBRUARY
INTERN of the MONTH
TERA PAVEL
LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER
28728 Wolf Road
Bay Village, OH
Major: Middle Childhood Education, Science and Social Studies concentrations
Minor: Environmental Science
Clubs & Organizations:
Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
Kappa Delta Pi
CMLA
Environmental Education Council of Ohio
Ashbrook Scholars
Orientation Team
Recreational Services
Teacher Education Scholars
How did you find out about the internship?
I researched for it. I knew I wanted to work in a “science education” environment. I used my home reservation, the Rocky River Reservation, to network and find possible opportunities working within the Metroparks.
How long did it take you to secure the internship position?
I started my research in December 2006. I was given the name of LENSC around January 2007, had an interview in March, and began work in May.
Did the Career Development Center help you in acquiring the internship? If so, please explain how.
The CDC did not help in acquiring the internship. The CDC did, however, help in any intern credit questions that I had.
Describe your responsibilities within your internship.
Knowledge and implementation of the State Standards in regards to science for grades pre-K through eighth; until plans, ProjectWET educator; observation; teaching within STARLAB at several schools as well as within the site’s planetarium; organization of committees; implementation of course outlines and objectives met, general clerical duties; creative changes to different education programs; animal supervision.
List three to five highlights from your internship.
- Working in an environmental education atmosphere
- Wearing many hats: going to schools to talk about our universe, reading nature books to children, exploring the wonders of Lake Erie, etc.
- Getting certified as a ProjectWET educator
- Each day I got to teach – the subject matter always changed
- Working with various age groups (K-8th)
What is one aspect of your internship that you would have wanted to change?
I wish I could have been able to do programs on raptors. That is, hawks, falcons, kestrels, owls, etc. That required extra training and was not feasible with the amount of time I was at LENSC and the amount of people that did have the proper training for raptors.
Did your internship confirm your anticipated career choice or path?
Yes! I got to teach science in an environment different from that of a classroom – it proved to be JUST as rewarding.
Now that you have completed an internship, what advice would you give students about internships?
Education majors should get internships, too! With an education degree, you can do MORE than just be in a classroom, and it’s worthwhile to check out the different paths you can follow.
