Leaders in Summer Exploration Program

27 May 2010 Leaders in Summer Exploration Program

This summer, 13 HWS students and alums will join forces with other scientists, artists, programmers, dancers, writers, athletes, and engineers from all over the country at Summer Exploration Programs. The summer programs are offered at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., and St. Marks School in Southborough, Mass.

The Summer Exploration Program is an independent, not-for-profit academic enrichment program for students entering grades 4-12. Kielynne Banker 10, Christian Berk 13, Kerry Cahill 10, Eric Chiasson 09, Neala Havener 11, Yeasmine Khalique 10, Hallie Martenson 09, Benjamin Michalak 09, John Monaghan 11, Shannon Times 08, Shayna Times 08, Jen Voce 07 and Kyle Whitaker 11 will teach the courses, live on the halls, chaperone the trips, coach the sports, and more for junior, intermediate, and senior programs.

I intend to teach high school mathematics immediately following graduation, so Exploration is an opportunity for me to gain some solid experience with developing course curriculums and teaching, says Whittaker, a student of the Education Program at HWS. He will teach two courses, Cryptography and The Science of Fear. He is currently completing an independent study with Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science John Vaughn on the subject of cryptology. Its a very interesting topic and Im looking forward to teaching it using a hands-on approach this summer, adds Whittaker.

This will be Bankers third summer working at Exploration. The people you get to work with are the most kind and knowledgeable professionals in the field of education, she explains.The thing that I am most looking forward to is seeing and working with the wonderful kids and the staff again this summer. I am excited to share what I have learned over the past two years with the new staff.

Banker is a biology major with a minor in arts and education. She is part of the Master of Arts in Teaching Program and serves as the coordinator of Geneva Heroes. She has also been involved in the Peers Educating Peers Program and America Counts. Whittaker is a member of the hockey team, Chimera Honor Society, and is a Resident Assistant and a Psychology Teaching Fellow. He is majoring in Psychology and Mathematics and minoring in Education.

For more information, visit www.explo.org.