YTA at Smithsonian Summer Camps: Into Space!

At the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., I spent another week working as a Youth Teaching Assistant, this time for a camp about space and rocketry. Eighteen kids came each day, and I immediately noticed that they all had very different personalities. Some were loud and outgoing from the beginning, while others barely talked at first. Some planned every part of their rocket before touching the materials. Others started building immediately and figured things out as they went.

At the start of the week, a few of the quieter campers seemed unsure around me. They would listen when I explained an activity, but they usually went to the instructors when they had questions. As the week went on, that changed. They started asking me for help, showing me their designs, and telling me what they wanted to try next. Even during breaks, more of them came over to talk to me. Some were shy and polite initially. As I got to know them better and tried to learn their interests, they opened up. Eventually, many were comfortable asking endless questions, laughing at their own mistakes. 

I also had to learn how to work with each kid differently. Some wanted clear instructions and reassurance that they were doing the activity correctly. Others had their own ideas and mostly needed someone to listen. The more outgoing campers often wanted to answer every question, so I tried to make space for the quieter kids without putting them on the spot. During the egg drop challenge, I encouraged campers who had barely spoken earlier in the week to start explaining their designs to the rest of their group.

Even though a week is not a long time, it still provided me an opportunity to form tight bonds with my campers. I loved the process of getting to know them and becoming a supportive mentor as we explored the extensive and fascinating exhibits at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

The Human Story

My favorite museum is the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History because of the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins. This exhibit caught my eyes because of its towering display of skulls and family tree showcasing the millions of years of evolutions that led to modern humans.

The most memorable part of the exhibit was the wall of skulls which included more than 75 replicas of early human fossil skulls from around the world. Looking at the skulls side by side in front of me made evolution feel more real. Each skull showed a slightly different version of what it meant to be human, from changes in brain size to differences in the jaw.

The reconstructions of early human ancestors were also fascinating. Instead of just showing the bones, the exhibit displayed lifelike heads created using fossils evidence and modern techniques. Being able to see what these species looked like when they were alive was amazing. It is one thing to read about a species in an article and another to look into their eyes.

What I liked the most about the exhibit was how it made human evolution feel both scientific and personal. It showed fossils, anatomy, climate change, and extinction, but it also raised the question of what it meant to be human. Humans are part of nature and we are all part of a larger story shaped by the world. This exhibit helped me understand why I care so much about studying humans. Anthropology combines biology, art and history in a way that makes the past feel connected to the present. The David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins shows how studying human evolution helps us better understand ourselves.

YTA at Smithsonian Summer Camps: Science in Art

At the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., I spent a week working as a Youth Teaching Assistant for a camp called Science in Art. Sixteen kids came each day to explore the ways art and science connect, with activities that combined creativity and experimentation. We made our own paint using natural pigments, learning how different ingredients change texture and color. We also created glow-in-the-dark drawings, using certain materials that lit up under blacklight. 

Helping with the camp meant being responsible for keeping the kids engaged, answering their questions, and making sure each one felt included. Some jumped right into each activity, while others needed more encouragement or step-by-step guidance. By the end of the week, I had learned how to adapt to different personalities, and how to keep a group on task. Working with the lead instructors also taught me the importance of communication, preparation, and staying calm when plans needed to change.

During camp we also visited several Smithsonian museums. At the National Museum of Natural History, I saw exhibits on fossils, gems, and dinosaurs. At the National Museum of Asian Art, I explored galleries filled with sculptures, paintings, and ceramics from across cultures. 

Working as a Youth Teaching Assistant showed me how patience, flexibility, and understanding can make learning fun for everyone. Just as the campers discovered new ways to combine art and science, I discovered new ways to work with and learn from both knowledgeable instructors and creative, energetic kids.