Whether children are at a horse barn, a residential facility, a summer camp, or a science museum, they are constantly learning and they will thrive if their environment encourages confidence and growth. Educators, care-givers, and other professionals working with youth find themselves with the power to forge these environments, fostering developmental experiences that could impact children for the remainder of their lives. Through field-based experiential learning, this panel dove into child-care and educational practices over the summer. Their presentations will reflect the leadership roles, projects, and day-to-day experiences that they had while working with youth, exploring the question of “how can we set children up for social, emotional, and educational success, regardless of their setting?”

Moderator:

• Melissa Burch, Visiting Associate Professor of Psychology and Education

Speakers:

• Orion Griesmer '24, STEM Education self-designed major
• Delilah Kramer '25, Psychology and Educaton major, Nexus in Museums, Archives, and Public History
• Hannah San Clemente '25, Dance major, Entrepreneurship, Organizations, and Society minor, Nexus in Nonprofit Organizations, and Arts Management, Certificate via UMass Amherst's Arts Extension Service
• Jalila Nazerali-Ruddy '25, Psychology major, Educational Studies minor