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.
​
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.