GEM Environmental is excited to welcome one of our new members to the team! Jessica Certain is our newest AmeriCorps State Member through Arizona Serve.
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Jessica grew up in the Prescott area and has loved exploring the local community. She loves to go hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and has grown up with the outdoors being a large part of her life. Jessica is currently in school and wishes to become a Geologist. Along the way, she hopes to inspire young people to be more excited and want to study the sciences. Welcome to the team, Jessica!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
GEM funded one of my school field trips and I got to meet Eric! We have been emailing back and forth and he thought I would be a good fit for this opportunity, and it turns out he was right!
 
Your work/area of focus.
I currently am creating experiment videos that kids and adults alike can watch online and hopefully learn something, and sometimes safely try at home. I will also be coming up with content and activities for the school year that we can do with the kids at our local Community Nature Center.
 
What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
I plan to help spread GEM's influence and inspire kids to want to study the science fields, as well as work alongside the community to offer educational programs for all ages. We will also be working on several service projects throughout the year where we are able to give back to the community.

 What are your career goals?
I am not sure what kind of job I would like to have, but if it's in the geology field I will be happy!
 
Do you plan to continue your education? If so, what programs or school are you looking into and what is the highest degree you plan to earn?
I hope to study geology soon at a university level. I am close to getting my AS Degree, so I will soon be moving to the Bachelor’s level.
 
To check out some of Jessica’s project videos click here.

​Happy National Intern Day! Today we would like to take a minute to appreciate all our exceptional interns and service members. Our internship program is divided into two sections: our partnership with AmeriCorps via Arizona Serve, and our partnership with The Corps Network and The Arizona Bureau of Land Management.
 
We currently have two service members with Arizona Serve: our AmeriCorps VISTA Abby Ruby and our AmeriCorps State Member Jessica Certain. These amazing young ladies work hard everyday in our GEM for STEM Program. From making science experiment videos to share with students worldwide, to reaching out to our community through school activities and programs, these ladies never stop striving to bring STEM to everyone! Thank you, Abby and Jessica!

​Our group of interns through our partnership with The Corps Network and The Arizona Bureau of Land Management, consists of a group of six hardworking individuals from across the States.  These conservation interns work on a variety of science-based projects under the mentorship of BLM Staff Scientists in and around Arizona.

​Working out of the Hassayampa Field Office is Zac White and Jordan Bracy, working as Range Technician Assistants. Zac was born and raised in Arizona and spent most of his childhood outside. He was a Boy Scout and felt lucky to have the opportunity to go and explore the state by camping, hiking, fishing, and swimming in beautiful parks and trails. This time outside gave him an appreciation for the natural world and piqued his interest in having a career studying and protecting it. Zac began his college education at Arizona State University as a 1st generation college student. At ASU he floated between majors in Biochemistry, Biology and Sustainability until he found his calling in Ecology. Taking classes in each of these STEM majors broadened his horizons on understanding nature, how we interact with it and how we can help protect it. He hopes to turn his love of nature into a career protecting it. 

​Jordan was born in Safford, Arizona and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated at Northern Arizona University in the fall of 2020 earning his Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a minor in Anthropology. He has an interest in both indoor and outdoor activities. For his preferred indoor activities, he enjoys watching shows, putting together puzzles, and bonding with family. His favorite outdoor activities include going on walks either in the city or on trails, going fishing, and recently he has decided to take up gardening. Jordan think STEM education is important because teaching people of all ages the importance of different sciences allows for an inter-disciplined population that both respects and desires to participate in STEM-based activities. Thank you, Zac and Jordan!

​Working out of the Lower Sonoran Field Office, we have Michael Branham and Jackson Lodermeier, both are working as Range Technician Assistants. Michael is a 31 year old Arizona native. He likes to spend his free time outside. His favorite outdoor activities are fishing, exploring, gold panning/mineral hunting, and camping. He values STEM education because it gives him the educational background he needs to make sense of what he finds and sees in the wilderness. It has also instilled in him, the value and importance of it’s preservation and management.
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Jackson made the trek from Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he was born and raised. He grew up fishing, camping, and enjoying what the Great Lakes region has to offer. This led to his excitement for the outdoors and prompted him to begin studying Geography. Jackson is now a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison finishing his B.S. in Cartography and GIS. He is grateful for the support and education from his STEM teachers and professors because he now sees the value these subjects carry in a pursuit for a brighter future. Thank you, Michael and Jackson!

Working out of the Phoenix District Office, we have Mariah McGhee and Jack Ford, working as Maintenance Interns. Mariah is from Kansas City, Missouri. She recently graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BS in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis on Forestry and a minor in Soils. She is the oldest of 4 and grew up in the city! Mariah enjoys a variety of activities that require her to be outside. These activities are hiking, exploring new places, shopping for succulents, and believe it or not mowing the lawn (a Midwest task)! She also competes in Crossfit competitions and it is a big part of her life.
 
Jack is a hard-working guy who enjoys the outdoors. He grew up in Gilbert, Arizona but he spent a lot of time in the North due to his parents’ love of camping. Jack feels that conservation and STEM are important because we only have one earth and cannot just press the undo button. Thank you, Mariah and Jack!

​Internships are beneficial because they help develop professional aptitude, strengthen personal character, and provide a greater door to opportunity. Here at GEM Environmental we value our interns and enjoy offering the opportunity for these experiences and growth. 
For more information visit the links below.
 
http://arizonaserve.org
https://www.gemenvironmental.org

We are proud to announce our newest recipient of the GEM for STEM Undergraduate Scholarship, Alanna Massman.
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Over the last five years, Alanna has moved to many different states, traveled to four different countries and has gained endless life experiences through it all. Her passions in life include traveling the world, learning about different cultures and doing everything she can to help save the environment. She has always enjoyed spending time outdoors; from week-long camping trips to spending the little time she has left in each day lounging in her hammock. From a young age, Alanna always strived to take eco-friendly actions -- which at the time consisted of things such as recycling and taking showers. Now that she has learned so much more about our climate and the implications its facing, she prides herself on living a more sustainable lifestyle. Congratulations Alanna!

How did you hear about G.E.M. Environmental and this scholarship opportunity?
My school, Northern Arizona University, has a master list of all private donor scholarships on the financial aid page that students can apply to. After skimming the list a few times, I found that G.E.M. was the best fit for me, as I am studying Environmental and Sustainability Studies.

Your area of work/focus.
My study area in school is coined as Environmental and Sustainability Studies, which is a diverse degree within itself, as the environmental field in general is very expansive. I am also studying Spanish, as I love traveling and hope to someday find environmental work across the globe. More specifically, although I do not have one specific dream job at this point in time, I would love to work with sustainable food and agriculture systems, or as an outdoor educator. I live my life very flexibly and allow chances, opportunities and coincidences to lead me.
With that being said, although I do not know for sure what I will be doing in the future, I am lucky to say that I am conducting fulfilling work everyday with the NAU Office of Sustainability as the Conservation Manager. With this position, I help run our conservation programs, design websites for the office, and advocate for sustainability across campus. Overall, although I do not have one post-college job in mind, I am forever thankful that I get to do such rewarding work as I am in college, as it is also teaching me more about myself and what I want to do in the future.
 
If your scholarship funds HAVE NOT BEEN USED yet, how do you anticipate you will achieve success?
My scholarship funds have not been used yet, as I am planning to use them to help pay for classes and fees for the upcoming Fall 2020 semester. As I'm sure many people have experienced, COVID-19 has impacted my school, work and day-to-day plans for the foreseeable future, so receiving these funds is immensely helpful moving forward.
 
Tell us what this scholarship means to you.
Receiving this scholarship most definitely helped lifted the stress of paying for the upcoming semester off my shoulders. Further, the fact that these funds came from such an amazing organization -- one that is in the environmental field -- means even more to me. I feel like often times it is hard to find scholarships specific to students in the environmental field, so yes receiving this scholarship means a lot to me.

Anything else you'd like to share about your work, yourself, or the STEM fields?
One project I have been working on for sometime in my work is "Careers with Impact." It is going to be a website, since it could no longer be an in-person event, and I think that G.E.M. would love to hear about it. It is a space for students like me who are studying within the environmental field but don't know exactly what they want to do, or even prospective students who don't know exactly if they can find a career within the environmental field. There is valuable information about the environmental filed itself, career examples under each of the three pillars of sustainability, and organizations across the globe that have opportunities for STEM Students. Everyone deserves to have a career that they love -- something I strive for. In fact, one of the main reasons I switched my major early on in my college career is because I realized that happiness is MUCH more valuable than money. So rather than working for the dollars and cents, I work for that warm, happy feeling I get in my stomach when I accomplish something or when I impact someone's life.

GEM Environmental is excited to welcome one of our new members to the team! Jack Ford is one of our Youth Conservation Interns working as a Maintenance Intern in cooperation with the BLM at the Phoenix District Office.
Jack is a hard-working guy who enjoys the outdoors. He grew up in Gilbert, Arizona but he spent a lot of time in the North due to his parents’ love of camping. Jack feels that conservation and STEM are important because we only have one earth and cannot just press the undo button. Welcome aboard Jack!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
From B.L.M Youth coordinator Lawrence Harper
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Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
After completing BLM Field School, which is a 16 week BLM certification course that works along side Phoenix College, my main area of focus has become STEM. 

What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
To extend my knowledge in the field of conservation.

What are your career goals?
My 5-year goal is to do seasonal fire and work as a seasonal park ranger.

Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? 
Yes, BLM Field School was very similar to an internship, which benefited me greatly.
I am very excited and thankful for this opportunity.

We are proud to announce our newest recipient of the GEM for STEM Undergraduate Scholarship, Addie Daniels.
Addie Daniels is from Chino Valley, Arizona. She enjoys music and track and field. She has been a track and field athlete since 6th grade and is currently a NCAA Division III thrower! Way to go Addie! She throws shot put, discus, hammer, weighted throw, and javelin. She likes Marvel movies, Star Trek and Sponge Bob.   Addie attends college at LeTourneau University where she is studying Civil Engineering. In her free time, she likes to...just kidding, what engineering student has free time? Addie enjoys Civil Engineering because you can see the direct impact of your work. Congratulations Addie!

How did you hear about G.E.M. Environmental and this scholarship opportunity?
I learned about it at the Dec. 2018 Cash for College event at Yavapai College.
 
My current work and passion.
This is my first year of studying Civil Engineering. I became interested in it when I took a drafting and design course as a freshman in high school. I ended up doing three years of drafting, learning AutoCAD, REVIT, Civil 3D, and Solidworks. I was able to apply my skills to projects at Chino Valley High School including new dugouts for softball and a new throwing area with three new throwing rings and sectors. Seeing these projects from dream to reality inspired me to do more. So far, in college, my favorite things in Civil have been creating a water filtration system as well as a cantilever bridge design. As I go forward, I am interested in pursuing an emphasis in water-related civil engineering.

How I plan to use my award.
I am planning on using my scholarship funds to purchase tools and equipment/software I will need as an engineer.
 
What this scholarship means to me.
Being awarded this scholarship puts me one step closer to graduating from college debt free, a major goal for me. I have always enjoyed non-traditional vocations (throwing, engineering, math) as related to being a female. I like knowing that a small percentage of Civil Engineers are women. It is important to me to demonstrate that a woman is capable of doing anything she puts her mind to.
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I hope to see many more females entering STEM fields. Thank you so much for your support!

We are proud to announce the newest recipient of the GEM for STEM Graduate Scholarship Award, Linnea Delucchi. Linnea is originally from Sacramento, California, but has spent the last five years traveling the world and exploring her interests. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Neurobiology, but was unsure what direction she wanted to take with her degree. She took some time off to grow and gain life experiences. During that time, Linnea hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, visited southern Europe and Eastern Canada, and lived in New Zealand for a year. She loves traveling not just for the experiences, but for the worldly knowledge gained as well. If she hadn't spent the last five years exploring, she doesn’t think she would have discovered her current passion: the effects of nature on the brain.
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STEM education has always been part of Linnea’s life and she has always loved science. She knew that she wanted to study neurobiology, but didn't know what to do with that degree once she earned it. She also loved being able to support facts with research and having concrete reasons for the way things work. Congratulations Linnea!

How did you hear about G.E.M. Environmental and this scholarship opportunity?
My roommate is an AmeriCorps Vista working for G.E.M. She knew I was currently in my Master's and that my thesis was related to STEM. So, she suggested that I apply for the graduate student scholarship because, why not?
 
Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
My Master's thesis will cover some subtopic of how nature affects the human brain. I love playing outside, and I also love science. This thesis topic allows me to combine my passions and explore an area that I am very interested in. I am able to use my knowledge from undergrad with my experience in the outdoors. While I have not picked a specific area of neurobiology yet, I think I will focus on the affects of nature on either stress reduction, increased relaxation, or cognitive recall. The nature aspect could be just sitting in nature or an outdoor activity. I will be designing my thesis this semester and carrying it out this summer and fall!

If your scholarship funds HAVE BEEN USED, please explain exactly how they were used or disbursed.
Part of the scholarship funds have been used. This semester, I am traveling to various labs studying nature in the brain. This scholarship is helping me cover the costs of these travel expenses.I have already been to Indiana, where I was able to use various bio and neurofeedback equipment. For example, I learned how to use an fNIR, HRV (heart rate variability) monitor, and EEG. These are all forms of equipment that can measure brain/nervous system function. I was also added to an IRB for a project that was researching the effects of being in nature on HRV responses to small stressors. For this experiment, we measured participants HRV and blood pressure before and after time spent in nature. We are still waiting for the results to be covered to data that can be analyzed.
 
If the funds HAVE BEEN USED, what was the outcome?
While we are still waiting in the HRV research data, I was able to design a practice experiment when I was in Indiana. In this experiment, people wearing an EEG watched either a cityscape video or a nature scape video. I recorded their brain waves, and found that beta waves (waves associated with stress) were increased in the city scape participants. In contrast, alpha waves (brain waves associated with relaxation) were increased in participants watching the nature video. While the participants were not immersed in real nature, analyzing the effects of visual nature is still interesting!
 
If your scholarship funds HAVE NOT BEEN USED yet, how do you anticipate you will achieve success?
I will be attending a wilderness therapy symposium in Asheville, North Carolina. Here, I will be able to learn how to use qEEGs in relation to neurofeedback. In neurofeedback, people look at their own polygraphs and see what effects certain stimuli have on their brain waves. qEEGs are becoming increasingly popular in wilderness therapy so clients are able to see what is happening in their brain when they are out in nature. By researching this, I hope to promote people spending time in nature and using the outdoors as a medicine over pharmaceuticals. As screen time and indoor time increases, people are becoming more detached and even afraid of the outdoors. I hope to help reverse this trend by helping people realize the medicinal, calming, and other benefits of nature.

Tell us what this scholarship means to you.
I have been financially independent since the middle of my undergrad. I have chosen a field (outdoor education) that is not the most lucrative, which makes paying for a Master's extremely difficult. Loans have a high interest rate and making ends meet, while attending school, is very difficult task. I have been working full-time while also being a full-time student. This leaves room for nothing else in my life. This scholarship greatly reduces the amount of financial stress I have felt since beginning my Master's. I have often chosen work over school, just to make sure I can pay for life expenses. With this scholarship, I will be able spend more time focusing on my studies and learning about the topics I am most passionate about.
 
In addition, I am proud to be a female studying science, as well as a female outdoorsy women. Both science and the outdoors are still male-dominated, so being part of both fields means a lot! I like being able to keep up with the boys, whether it is climbing, skiing, mountain biking, etc. We need more women out there!

GEM Environmental is excited to announce a new addition to the team! Please welcome Brandon White who is our new GEM for STEM Program Manager. Brandon grew up in a small town in Southern Michigan and has lived in Prescott for the past year. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a specialization in Health Promotions. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, attending live music, playing music, reading, and rock climbing. Brandon has always loved science and is excited to help foster a passion for STEM programs in students. Welcome to the team Brandon!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
I learned about GEM Environmental through my connections as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with Arizona Serve in Prescott.

Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
Following graduation, I began working as a physical therapy assistant in the Washington, DC area. After spending 7 years helping patients recover from injuries and surgeries I decided that I wanted to start working to help people on a broader scale. This led me to become a member of the AmeriCorps VISTA program, where I spent a year serving as the event coordinator for Boys to Men Mentoring running programs for teenage boys in Yavapai County.

What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
I plan to use my passion for helping and others and experience working with youth to help GEM's programs achieve their full potential through inspiring and encouraging STEM students.

What are your career goals?
I would like to continue working with non-profits to help make a positive impact in the lives of people and the community.

Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
I worked as a physical therapy intern for 3 months prior to graduation from college. The experience helped to prepare me for my future work environment.

​We are proud to announce the newest recipient of the GEM for STEM Graduate Scholarship Award, Grace Sinisalo.
Grace is 24 years old and was born and raised in Northern Minnesota. She spends most of her free time watching TV, hanging with friends and family, enjoying the fresh air & being outside, or playing fetch with her adorable one-year old puppy Winston.

​Grace first became passionate about the STEM fields in middle school when a particular teacher showed her how fun science can be and how much it can influence our everyday lives. She has always had a math/science-based mind, so working with numbers and facts has always piqued her interest. Being passionate about learning about the STEM fields, even from a young age, made her grow and excel as a student throughout all her studies. It continued into high school and later into her undergraduate degree in biology. Grace attributes her success in school and her future in medicine, to finding a love to learn through the STEM fields and the support of her teachers. Congratulations Grace!

Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
Right now I am an AmeriCorps volunteer serving with Arizona Serve at Yavapai County Community Health Services. My current role is as the Opioid Harm Reduction Coordinator. In this position, I work with local organizations, community members, and county and state boards in order to promote harm reduction strategies that revolve around Opioid Use Disorder. I am focused specifically on Naloxone education and distribution, destigmatization and education about Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and improved access to MAT for pregnant women throughout Yavapai County. While working full time in this position, I am also fine tuning applications for medical school and studying to take my MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) in order to pursue my dream of becoming a physician. From a young age, with the help of the STEM fields, I have had a passion for medicine and the healthcare field. I am honored to be working alongside health care workers in Public Health and I look forward to continuing my education in medicine.

If your scholarship funds HAVE NOT BEEN USED yet, how do you anticipate you will achieve success?
I have not had the opportunity to use my scholarship award yet as I am waiting to use it towards medical school application fees in the upcoming month. Without this money, I would be struggling to even apply for medical school because of how much it costs to apply per school. I am grateful to have this scholarship money to take the financial weight of applications off my shoulders and to focus on getting into the school I want. By becoming a physician, I will constantly be using my knowledge in the STEM fields to treat and care for patients, as well as contribute unique findings in medicine to the field of science.
 
Tell us what this scholarship means to you.
As mentioned above, I am so grateful for this scholarship and the relief of the financial burden associated with medical school application fees. To apply to medical school is expensive, but to apply as an AmeriCorps VISTA is even more detrimental on the bank account.... Without this G.E.M. scholarship, I would have difficulties even submitting an application to pursue my dream of becoming a physician.

GEM Environmental is excited to announce a new addition to the team! Please welcome Abby Ruby, who is our new AmeriCorps VISTA Member STEM Outreach Specialist, through Arizona Serve and GEM.
 
Abby is from Bel Air, Maryland. She went to school at the University of Alabama where she majored in Mechanical Engineering. She loves anything outside, whether it be hiking, kayaking, or rock climbing! Abby also played Ultimate Frisbee for four years at school and during summers. Her love for science and math has helped her reach her goals and has furthered her education. This is why she wants to use her passion and get other students excited about STEM and show them all the possibilities they can have for their future education. Welcome to the team Abby!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
I became interested in working for AmeriCorps during my senior year of college when I realized I wanted to dedicate my work to volunteerism. I received an email from Arizona Serve that had information about GEM Environmental Program which sounded like a great way to combine my passion for STEM with my desire to serve a community.
 
Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
As a STEM Education Outreach Specialist, I will be working to give students in Prescott and surrounding areas education opportunities in STEM.
 
What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
Through speaker series, field trips, fundraisers, and scholarships/ internships I hope to open students' eyes to the many possibilities they have through STEM Education. In addition, I hope to extend our reach to low-income areas where children may not have as many opportunities for education and growth.
 
What are your career goals?
While I'm not totally sure of how I want to use my degree in my career, I know that I want to spend my life creating change and improving people's quality of life. Biomechanical Engineering has always been very appealing to me because I will be able to use my engineering/ science background in a growing and beneficial field.
 
Do you plan to continue your education? If so, what programs or school are you looking into and what is the highest degree you plan to earn?
I'm not sure right now, but I would love to get a PhD in order to teach at a higher level.
Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
Yes, I have had two engineering internships in the past. These internships taught me so much beyond just technical skills... such as responsibility, problem solving, and project management.
 
Anything else you'd like to share about your work, yourself, or the STEM fields?
I am so excited to use my combined passions for STEM and community empowerment to make a difference in Prescott!

​To learn more about Abby click here!