Question: What made you want to continue with the Bureau? (What engages you about the work?)

Jaden Johnston (JJ): I wanted to continue with the BLM because I noticed how passionate the resource specialists were about making a positive difference, even if no one noticed. I wanted to remain a part of that environment and stay with the Bureau since it motivated me daily to do my part the best I could!
Q: Share a quick story... Was there a project or person that stood out as a Hallmark to your internship?
JJ: I worked with a department contractor who had 20 to 30+ years of experience in my line of work. I explained to him how I was nervous about doing good [work] in my job, not being an inconvenience to others, and starting a career with the BLM… He calmed my nerves by saying “It’s completely normal to be nervous, in fact, it’s a good thing because it means you truly care about what you are trying to accomplish”. He gave me some more advice and told me a few stories of when he was starting out, it helped me tremendously and I will never forget it.
Q: What advice would you give another entering a BLM internship?
JJ: I would highly suggest another BLM intern to put themselves out there while in the office. By this I mean try to do as much as you can with other departments in the office and make as many friends/ connections as you can with other resource specialists and interns. For one, you will learn different perspectives on certain resource issues and also you will gain references/friends that will help you grow while pursuing your career.
Q: Do you get a badge with the Bureau?
JJ: Yes you get a badge that gives you clearance to enter BLM buildings and access their technology. It’s called a PIV card that has your name, picture, and the DOI logo on it!
Q: What is your title and duties with the Bureau?
JJ: My title for my new job is a Natural Resource Specialist for the BLM Norman Oklahoma Field Office. I will be protecting and managing resources (wildlife, grassland, geology, and hydrology features) in areas where oil companies would like to drill and construct well pads. I will also be conducting inspections on active and abandoned wells to spot environmental concerns such [as] spills, noxious weeds, erosion issues, surface contaminants, and lots more.

One of my favorite adventures since leaving GEM was working as an Interpretive Park Ranger at the Indiana Dunes National Park. The park has always been a special place to me, and I would hike there often during my college years when I lived only twenty minutes away. When the park was designated a national park in 2019, it became a goal of mine to work there, so I was thrilled to have this opportunity. My favorite experience was leading ranger programs at Pinhook Bog, the only true bog in Indiana and a refuge for rare orchids and carnivorous plants.

By Christopher Gillis
​GEM Corps Public Relations and Marketing Associate

​Almost every STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) )-related job requires data collection and memory recall. A common workspace (or fieldwork) practice is taking field notes. Making and keeping field notes is so commonly practiced it is often referenced in pop culture.
 
Have you ever played the video game “Uncharted” and had to flip through Nathan Drake’s journal to discover a clue to a puzzle? Remember in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and how Dr. Henry Jones (Indy’s dad) kept a notebook full of illustrations and notes on his studies of the Holy Grail? Or what about the journal John Bunbar kept while studying the Sioux tribe in “Dances with Wolves.”
 
These are all literary examples of field notes used to progress the plot. Field Notes are contained in a journal designated to record observations and activities someone encounters or participates in during fieldwork.
 
Fieldwork work is done in the field (or lab) to gain practical experience and knowledge through firsthand observation. My fieldwork is a combination of real-world knowledge gained while exploring my environment, personal studies, and workshopping ideas for future projects.
 
I have maintained a journal for Field Notes for the last four years. I took up the practice when I began working at a Paleontology museum and was required to give tours around the facility. Prehistoric animals have complicated scientific names, unique features from anatomy, strange habitats, and theorized behaviors. I was required to memorize all these facts to provide an enriching experience for visitors to the museum.
​
​By trade, I work as a content creator, taking photos, recording videos, quick write-ups, and designing graphics for social media. My Field Notes have become a vital source of inspiration when I have to create new content.
 
Here’s an example of a page I created for the Arizona Rainbow Cactus. As a content creator for an environmentally focused workforce development nonprofit, I have to research several topics from STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) to create graphic factoids for online enrichment.
 

 
My process starts with drawing the subject (to the best of my ability). Once I flush out an illustration, I will fill the surrounding blank space with facts I have learned about the subject. This note-taking process helps me focus on critical facts and retain the information for later use.
 
You might be saying, “Well, I can’t draw.” Neither can I. Which is why I’ve included examples of my Field Notes. Getting into the practice of drawing an image while studying can significantly improve the ability to retain information.
 
“Drawing while taking notes is a powerful memory tool. Scientists have learned drawing "requires elaboration on the meaning of the term and translating the definition to a new form (a picture)."  The act of drawing and note-taking is an active way to absorb information. The practice forces “the student” to grapple with what they're learning and reconstruct it in a way that makes sense to them” (Terada, “The Science of Drawing and Memory,” Newsroom.unl.edu, https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/csmce/9972/58389#).
 
The great benefit of maintaining a Field Notes journal for work is it can be used as a personal quick source guide for job duties. Working in the STEM field, an essential task at work is observation. Keeping notes on what is “seen” is a significant way of gathering critical data to create a conclusion (finish a project).
 
As a content creator, I use my notes to create multimedia assets. Here’s an example of the Arizona Rainbow Cactus as a graphic factoid.
 
All the information I’ve collected in my Field Notes works as a mental asset when on the job. 

Research on the topic of drawing while taking notes shows improved recall because of how the information is encoded in memory. “When a student draws a concept, they must elaborate on its meaning and semantic features, as the act of drawing (using your motor actions) and visual processing helps to cement the idea to our memory” (Terada, “The Science of Drawing and Memory,” Newsroom.unl.edu, https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/csmce/9972/58389#).
 
During a CPR Certification class I took with Granite Mountain Training, I wanted to make sure I understood the practice of giving CPR. While the instructor showed techniques on a dummy, I would quickly illustrate the dummy and critical concepts of performing CPR. 

​Having to perform CPR on a person is a high-stress situation, and I wanted to prepare myself as much as possible mentally. Making illustrated notes allows my mind to role-play scenarios, which helps me become more comfortable performing the task in the “real world.” 

Overall, keeping Field Notes is an effective tool as a quick reference source for real-world work situations or a way of helping the brain retain essential information.

More examples of my Field Notes:

​Work Cited:
Terada, Youki. “The Science of Drawing and Memory.” University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
newsroom.unl.edu/announce/csmce/9972/58389#:~:text=It%20forces%20students%20to%20grapple,information%20is%20encoded%20in%20memory.

​GEM Environmental is proud to welcome our newest team member! Elizabeth Reyes is our new GIS Analyst. Elizabeth is from New Jersey. Her interests are reading newspapers, gardening and traveling. Some places that she has visited are Canada, Vietnam, the Philippines and Mexico. Elizabeth feels that it is important to be an all-rounded person so one can connect with others about multiple topics. Welcome aboard Elizabeth!

​“STEM is an underestimated and evolving field. Learning about STEM becomes a building block for solving nature's mysteries. The world is interconnected so environmental responsibilities become vital. As STEM makes strides towards advancement, we must be willing to educate and enhance the interest in STEM. Learning new skills never stops.” -Elizabeth Reyes

Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
As a staff scientist, my main focus is to create maps from the collected field data. By surveying the landscape, the data accuracy increases. Using GIS software, maps are represented as evidence to support reports. Making maps is a mixture of art and science. Without GIS, visuals can be deceiving which can confuse an audience.
Other responsibilities include communicating with people of various backgrounds, writing reports and tracking project development.
 
What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
I hope to gain professional experience while expanding my skillset. I want to improve on leadership skills. As I look forward to meeting everyone, building a network in the STEM field provides a foundation for potential career development opportunities.

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 plan to pursue for further education. Currently, I have a bachelor's degree and a GIS certificate. I plan to have a master's degree in the future.
 
Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
I haven't had the chance of having an internship experience. I have done short term service work. Giving back to the community allows me to remain humble. Service work can change perspectives of what you had once thought of.
 
Anything else you'd like to share about your work, yourself, or the STEM fields?
Don't underestimate yourself and don't be afraid of going out of your comfort zone. Until you try, you won't know what you are capable of. Unlike stability, wisdom comes from growth.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ELIZABETH CLICK HERE.

The GEM Team along with previous service member, Patrick Willoughby, went out yesterday and updated the GEM Environmental Story Walk at Acker Park. 

Along Tom's Trail at Acker Park, you will find a series of informational stations that are set up and maintained by our team. Ryder Moreno, our Program Coordinator and AmeriCorps Team Leader, put together an amazing selection of native birds in this area! Ryder obtained information from Jay's Bird Barn in Prescott, Arizona.

​GEM Environmental and GEM Corps would like to congratulate Ashley McDonough. Ashley is now the new Vice President of GEM Environmental, NFP. On Monday, September 12th, 2022, at our quarterly Board Meeting, the Executive Director and President, Eric Welsh, nominated Ashley to fill the VP position. Wayman Trujillo motioned to approve this which was seconded by Chino Martinez, and after a unanimous vote, Ashley became the official Vice President!
Ashley has worked for GEM as our GEM Corps Program Manager since June of 2021 and is a vital role to our company’s growth. Her commendable work ethic and outgoing personality make Ashley a pleasure to have on our team.
Ashley became interested in this role while working alongside the President, Eric Welsh. Learning all she could about the position, Ashley felt it was a natural progression to continue to grow with the company and assist Eric to her best ability. The responsibilities of being the Vice President include maintaining strong communication amongst the staff and volunteers at GEM and making sure the team has a relaxed work environment and healthy work relationships. A strong leader is necessary to provide the tools to keep things running smoothly, and Ashley is just that! 

Growing up as an only child, Ashley learned to take on responsibilities at a very young age. She developed a take-charge attitude and feels that it will help her fulfill the obligations of the Vice President role. She enjoys over coming obstacles and thinking outside the box to get the job done. Her experience working with people of all demographics will help her to fulfil these obligations. With the rapid growth of GEM and GEM Corps, Ashley feels that the need to remain consistent and work side by side with our community partners, is the key to things running smoothly. She understands the challenges she will face, and is ready to deal with anything that comes her way.
Ashley plans to use strong communication and team work to help her maintain highly functional relationships with her staff.
​“We have many different types of people that we work with; partners, team members, and AmeriCorps members, so making sure that we are all on the same page by not focusing on myself being the Vice President, but working together on our goals is my main objective.”- Ashley McDonough

​Once again, congratulations Ashley! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors with GEM. You are appreciated beyond words.

​GEM Corps would like to welcome the newest member to our team! Isaac Sanchez is our newest Staff Scientist and New Mexico Program Coordinator. Isaac is from El Paso Tx. He has a vast interest in nature and animals. He enjoys exploring mountains, forests, and rivers while learning about the ecosystems and species native to each area.  STEM education is important to Isaac because he strongly believes that those who lead in the STEM fields are the people who truly shape the future for not just humans but the Earth as a whole. Welcome aboard, Isaac!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
I found this opportunity on Indeed.com
What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
I plan to grow as both an individual and a professional and assist in locating and safely closing as many abandoned mines as possible.
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?
Yes, I plan on continuing my education to get a master's in either biology, environmental science, or geology.
Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
I had the pleasure of working with multiple professors who are active in their fields, and they have passed on to me their knowledge of fauna, flora, and rock composition which I know will greatly assist me in my duties.

We look forward to keeping up with the many adventures Isaac will share along the way. Make sure to stay up to date at www.gemenvironmental.org.