Katy Presley is a student while she is on campus but transforms into a scientist twice a week at the Children’s Museum.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, Presley puts on her white laboratory jacket at 4 p.m. and teaches a science lesson to kids at the museum. She is a regular museum employee but also stars in “Science with Katy.”
“This job is perfect for me,” Katy Presley, sophomore elementary education major said. “It is critical for me as an education major to figure out which age group is best for me and I get to do that here.”
Presley’s job at the museum contributes to her preparation as a future elementary teacher. She is required to create her own lesson plans for each activity and to teach it in a way that is easily understood by children of various ages.
“I pull my lessons from a giant book of science lessons,” Presley said. “But I don’t like having to relearn my high school science stuff in such a way to teach it to kids. That can be a little challenging at times.”
Despite the challenges, Presley said she reaps many rewards from her job at a museum that schools from surrounding areas attend for field trips. She has the opportunity to meet several teachers, who can answer questions about her future career. “Science with Katy” provides Presley with a preview of what teachers see every day.
“It is amazing to watch kids think,” Presley said. “You can see the wheels turn in their heads, and you also get to build relationships with the regulars at the museum.”
Presley enjoys working at the museum for numerous reasons, including the relaxed workplace environment.
“It’s a family environment and I love it,” Presley said. “It’s a lot more fun. You don’t do the same thing every day. One day you’re cleaning and the next day you’re teaching.”
Presley also works with Liz Van Der Pol, sophomore photography and art major. She is the star of “Art with Liz,” which takes place every Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m. Both students have worked at the Children’s Museum for about a year.
“Science with Katy” and “Art with Liz” are activities created by Children’s Museum Director Shanine Freeman. They have been every day events at the museum since October.