During my first semester, I volunteered with CPA (Columbus Performance Academy) as a representative of the STEM EE Scholars program. I went to the academy in order to help the students gain more interested in the STEM field as well as help the teachers. I believe that this experience helped give me insight on not only the students, but myself as a person. I enjoyed getting to know some of the students at CPA as well as trying to get them more interested in what they are learning.
When I first walked into the classroom, I was surprised. I was expecting the class to be somewhat similar to what I grew up with, but I was sorely mistaken. The 8th grade science class only had around a dozen students in it. What seemed abnormal to me, was something these students experienced everyday. At first, I believed that the students didn’t have an interest in the material being taught; however, after talking with them I discovered that they didn’t have any inspiration or any thing to look forward to when it came to school.
I believe that this service helped me discover a lot about myself. It helped me realize that all of my experiences, all of the people that I have looked up to, have led me to where I am today. If it weren’t for their involvement in my life, I probably would have never gotten involved in STEM as well as not have been as successful as I am today. I believe that this service helps bring that experience to the students. I wish to bring what inspired me to other people.